The importance of routine when living away from home
May 24, 2023
It is said it takes approximately 66 days for an individual to develop a habit that will become an effortless part of their daily routine. However, what is often overlooked is the difficulty of adhering to this extended and sometimes gruelling timeline. Establishing good habits is a fundamental aspect of personal growth and being an …
If over-thinking burned calories, I’d be a supermodel
April 12, 2023
Being in your own company 24/7 can sometimes be tiresome – especially when every thought you have, every inconvenience, every problem is on a constant loop in your mind. Even if you don’t categorise yourself as an other-thinker, there is always that one moment, embarrassing or traumatic, that has daily reruns in your mind. Unfortunately, …
Podding along: studying a distance learning MA as a mature student
April 5, 2023
It seems a lifetime ago when I was timidly embarking upon the Applied English Distance Learning MA back in 2020. I remember feeling waves of self-doubt about completing MA – after so many years away from Higher Education – questions played on repeat through my mind, haunting me with fears of not being good enough, …
How Nottingham University has changed me for the better
March 29, 2023
As a beyond anxious yet excitable 18-year old stepping into the Derby Hall courtyard back in 2020, I saw university as a sort of adult playground, where making a solid group of life-long friends and having that “unbeatable” social life clouded any academic vision I left school with. Yet, looking back on almost three years …
How to handle writers block when studying a creative writing module
March 15, 2023
Creative writing is one of my favourite and most fulfilling parts of my English degree. Seeing a poem or a short story that I spent hours pondering over the word choice of materialise into a finished piece of work is often more satisfying than turning in an essay. For me creative writing is not just …
Why we should read poetry and prose aloud
March 8, 2023
Reading poetry or prose aloud has long been a popular tradition. It is an oral work of art, allowing an audience to take in the sounds and rhythms that the internal mind cannot emulate. However, it wasn’t until last year did I really come to appreciate it. As a child, my parents would read lullabies …
Working full-time, studying part-time and keeping long-term goals in mind
March 1, 2023
Lots of blogs will tell you about ways to manage your time with conflicting responsibilities, however, what I want to discuss is: How I identified my ‘why’ which helped to focus my choices. How I found alternative ways to pursue my long-term goals when plans changed. Whilst studying part-time with Nottingham University’s distance learning MA …
What to consider when picking modules
February 8, 2023
Picking modules can be daunting. The number of options can be overwhelming and choosing something when you’re not certain if you’ll enjoy it can be scary, especially if you get to choose modules in first year where you don’t have the foundation of the first year modules to help you make your choice. For second …
Never underestimate the power of a green campus
February 1, 2023
Think about the size of your local duck pond, then multiply it by a thousand. That’s probably half the size of the University of Nottingham’s on-campus lake, and half the ducks. Other universities would struggle to provide such a scenic trip for visiting family members but there’s room for everyone on the 121-acre expanse of …
Reflecting on the past year of my PhD
January 20, 2023
A PhD researcher’s life is certainly varied! 2022 has been an enjoyable, successful, and productive year and I have enjoyed working with many different people. The following is a selection of highlights from this year’s research journey. Much of my main research has involved collecting, writing, and editing the place-name survey for the Isle of …
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