Experience: it's gained in retrospect.

 

I'm back! Back after a 2 month-blogging-break, and first term at university!

I was right, by the way, about having limited time whilst at university. I think my decision not to blog during term-time was a good call, I've kind of missed it, but in a weird way, seeing as I've been living at a mile a minute, it's only now that I can really sit back and reflect on an incredible 8 weeks.

I've been to concerts; talks, lectures delivered by people who wrote my course books, comedy nights (too funny to forget), cocktail nights (too good to remember clearly - just kidding! I only had two :P) and even a carol concert in the college chapel! Not to mention the standard clubbing nights, or the multitude of nights in which "staying in [college]"was actually the beginning of a great night out (in somebody else's building/ staircase party!)

University life is exactly what I hoped and worked for. No, it isn't - it's better. I feel as though I've learnt so much - and not merely in an academic sense - although I've also read approximately 100 books and journal articles!

Contrary to popular (read: media) expectations though, student life for me (I can't answer for my friends at other universities...) is not restricted to a week-long alcohol-fuelled party, with an assignment on the side, perhaps. Oh no.

I have without a doubt worked the hardest that I have ever worked in my life this past term. I'm talking everyday (well, except those 3 days at the end of term when I only had meetings to attend, seeing as I spent some of my Fresher's week beginning work, I got to do some Christmas shopping!) and for around 6 hours a day. Seriously, not including library runs across town, lectures, classes etc. But I live for it, - that's another thing I've learnt from the past term - I couldn't have it any other way. Maybe then, it's a good thing that where I am we're made to work constantly, we're reminded that that's what we're there for. And ultimately, £9,000 a year would be a very expensive party!

So, all of this work, all of this "play", where does that leave me? Well, I'll tell you. Though I may have been preoccupied with work whilst I was physically at university (the irony!) I can now tell you that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and in the last few days at home I have indeed been missing university life (and, admittedly, the independence and freedom that comes with it) which I think is mark of just how much perspective/ friends/ knowledge experience I've gained over the past 2 months.

 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! by nikigirl

May we learn from failure and continue our success.

I'm not usually an optimist but I've got a good feeling about this year, 2012 might actually be "the one" for me, or at least I hope so. Last night watching 2011 slip away really inspired me to remember that whatever happens, time moves on and will continue to do so forever...so let's enjoy it!

This year looks to be even more exciting than the last for me, I will *probably* be leaving home in september, starting university and an independent life, not to mention reap the reward from years of study... and say goodbye to the people and places I've gotten to know so well over the last 7 years, especially school and now I'm in the final few months! Ahh.... this is all pretty surreal...until I see my homework planner and realise it's still business as usual, for the moment :p

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! by nikigirl

I love how at Christmas, everyone and everything can be over the top :) (but still classy, obviously)

Have a great Christmas, everyone and anyone who reads this, it seems to come around quicker every year and yet is nonetheless always an enjoyable day - but just remember Christmas isn't happy for everyone, and so whatever great gifts you receive, or whatever things you wanted to get but didn't - remember the things you really, really want - you already have around you :) Some things really are priceless, and the others can be worked for through dedication and a positive outlook on life :D - believe me, I would know (well, about the dedication part, maybe not so much the positive outlook - but I'm trying harder!)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Winter

Winter by nikigirl


So. This week, had a mock interview, driving lesson, helped at open evening at my school...much of the same.

Next week however couldn't be more different, I've got literally one day at school before I go and stay at one of the world's best universities and be interviewed by some of the most learned history academics in the world...it's going to be amazing. Intense. Hard work. But most of all intense, insanely beautiful, both the city and the university, intensely hard, the studying and anxiety, constantly challenging (like life itself) but hopefully ultimately rewarding! I really can't wait to meet some incredible people, and have one of the most interesting (in every possible way) experiences of my life so far!

Merry Christmas

Christmas collage! Well, it's more wintry than Christmassy but I still really like it, and yes, the gingerbread house is in fact a photo of a real gingerbread house! A big thanks to the beautiful site http://beautyineverything.com/ I look at the photos everyday, for inspiration for my art and just because they're such amazing photos!

It's absolutely freezing here and there's snow everywhere, have a great Christmas wherever you and a Happy New Year 2011!

*I won't be updating this blog for about 2/3 weeks as I'm going to stay with family the other side of the country after Christmas until the first week of the New Year.