It is a strange thing to have returned home from university. For the first time, I am doing things in the households I have lived in for years - except the last two and a half months. I am using the same kettles, showers, plates as always that I had simply stopped operating less than three months ago. No longer do I have to wear my lanyard that has become a routinely part of my day. For one whole month I am back home, freed from the weekly dosage of lectures and seminars that have been part of my life.
The Christmas season is a time for reflection, looking back on the year to see what has gone well and what hasn’t. Given my first term (hopefully of many) has now been completed at university, I thought now would be a good opportunity to explore the rights and wrongs, good times and bad, of my university journey. For, cliche though it may sound, everyone is on an academic journey within this education institution, both personally and socially. Generally, I have had a wonderful time over the last 10 or so weeks, but I couldn’t be happier to have returned for the holidays. I have realised that university, more than any other part of the educational journey, is shaped by the people you meet and the experiences you have. The fact we are at the academic organisation 24/7 requires a level of conversation and discussion that isn’t necessary when school or college end for the day. And that has been a brilliant thing. I am quite awkward, not a natural socialiser by any stretch of the imagination. University has allowed me to engage, debate, disagree and argue with so many different types of people. A friend offering advice before I left for Warwick University said ‘speak to everyone you meet.’ That is advice I have followed. Whether it is a light hearted discussion reflecting on the day or week, an argument about a serious political theory or just a general life discussion, thee have been such a range of people across the world to engage with. That I joined the Warwick Politics Group Chat after results day in August made conversation and meeting people so much easier. I am proud to say that the vast bulk of us that contributed to the discussion remain in touch. It is so pleasing to have a wide group of people who are both very friendly and also utterly obsessed with politics. It is therefore also a great thing to say that the university course is brilliant and very satisfying indeed. There is lots to learn about - from feminism to the role of the state, the Cold War to democracy, pressure groups to interviews - with the studies clearing covering a broad range of the political sphere. Of course, there are more interesting and boring parts: that was always going to be the case wherever I did the course and whatever course I did. There will be things I am interested in that other people can’t stand and vice versa. That is the way it should be. The lectures are clearly important for delivering the topic, but, as is often stated, are not the most effective way for remembering information. While I’m pleased to have been to all contact hours, I am still aware that I take in more information in seminars - smaller groups where discussion is had and the topic given an overview in the lecture is uncovered in greater depth. There is nothing like someone making a brilliant point (a 'hot take' as my peers like to call it) and just having to write it down, uncover what they say and learn about the world in greater depth. The time outside the classroom is there to be used. Given I only have eight contact hours, much time can be spent in societies and groups so essential to the social university experience, especially on a campus university. As I wrote in another blog post, I joined all the major political party associations, which was viewed, probably correctly, as quite odd. However, I joined at just the wrong time when the general election was called, as that meant all their time would be devoted to canvassing and campaigning. Any speakers were put to one side. As I will never canvass for any party, there was no chance of me engaging with them. However, I have still been able to write for many of the media organisations within Warwick University, which has been very satisfying indeed. I’ve written for ‘The Boar’, which I’m proud to say won the Radio 4 Today Student Publication for the second year in a row. Given it is written by students for students and free to read, its level of professionalism is incredible. I’ve managed to write for the features, comment and lifestyle pages and have a few sections I would like to pitch for in the future. I’ve written before about my student radio experience but that was truly delightful. There is nothing like being able to offer my views in print or online and attempt to offer some form of coherency. It is deeply rewarding to be part of an organisation devoted to insight and intelligence. I’ve also loved volunteering at the Warwick Arts Centre, stewarding a multitude of events, assisting customers and seeing them all for free! There were, obviously, going to be some form of assessments this term. I was aware of that from the moment the course started though the precise form of assessment was slightly ambiguous. As it turned out, I had four essays to write, one for each module I was studying this term. All were practice and wouldn’t contribute towards my final grade for that module (apart from one but it’s too technical to explain). This was probably the hardest part as a university style essay is very different indeed from an A-level essay, not least the engagement with academic literature. In a way, it is fantastic to have such a high level of access to so many books and journal articles written by academic scholars at the top of the field. But this can also be worrying. Even though I love Warwick Library, I did notice I was spending a considerable amount of time in there writing away and making notes on essays. The actual writing I would do in one day for each essay, desperate for some form of first draft that could be edited at a later date. I just wanted a first draft. You can't edit a blank page. I’m pleased to say all the essays were handed in, though it remains to be seen how I’ve done. There were tricky, especially forming my own opinions that challenge these academic, highly intellectual scholars who’ve been studying politics before I was born! It was at this most stressful of times that I couldn’t have been more pleased to have the group of politics friend. Let me say, I will never be able to think of the terms ‘Thriving’, ‘Yikes’ and ‘Oh dear’ in the same way. Only those who have been through the politics experience this term will understand! Never has the joy of technology been more appreciated for moral support. Before I arrived at Warwick, I said that I hoped the Facebook group chat would continue while we were at university, because it would be needed a lot during essays and exams. I am very pleased to say it is alive, well and…thriving. University is about far more than academia, important though that undoubtedly is. I remember before leaving for university that I saw the three year experience as doing two degrees: the academic and the personal. I’m pleased to say the adulting side has not been a total disaster. Apart from one dodgy experience with the tumble dryer, washing is fine and so easy. My shopping has been at Tesco’s or Aldi, where I’ve tried to buy each item from the cheaper location. While my cooking skills are dire (what’s wrong with grapes and pasta?!), I am not living off ready meals by any stretch of the imagination. I have burnt nothing down, caused no 3am fire alarm. That spells success in my book. As I wrote earlier, I’ve completed the first university term of many. It has not been perfect - we are not living in a utopia (as to whether one is possible or even desirable, that’s another political debate…). I have experienced occasional homesickness, wishing for a change of scenery. Indeed, despite enjoying my own company very much, there have been occasions where I’ve felt lonely. Sometimes, after a bruising seminar, I've felt a level of imposter syndrome. Warwick however, has excellent facilities for seeking out support when it is needed. Next year will be a busy one, not least with the joy (!) of housing for second year to think about. Yet, given how quiet and introverted I can be, I have to say that the highlight of this term has been not the course or the books, nor the societies, accommodation or freedom but the people. The individuals I’ve met and spoken to have make this term brilliant and make me look forward to returning in the New Year.
1 Comment
Naomi
8/12/2019 16:26:55
As usual, a very balanced view! Would be interesting to hear more about the negatives, or things you’ve learnt that you weren’t expecting? Maybe in another blog?! Glad my advice stood you well! Have a relaxing Christmas!
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