After five weeks of lectures and seminars, my reading week at Warwick University has now arrived. In essence, it’s a half term (though you'd never call it that!) offering a chance to unwind from the busy daily life that university brings. For one week, no seminars or lectures take place, with students free to go home or travelling for those ten days. I know that much of my reading week will be spent reading, thanks to an upcoming essay and presentation deadlines.
But I couldn’t be happier that this was being done with a week off official university timetable. This chance to take things at a slower pace is most welcome. At the start of every year, I always ask for a gentler start to the new year. And, as always, this never happens. Being thrown back into the world of ‘events’ means that reading, socialising and deadlines take over. I continue to really enjoy university. Of course, it has its flaws, but that would be the case whether I was in work, doing an apprenticeship or at another institution. If I ever feel down and miserable, I try to look at the situation more broadly. You are at one of the world’s leading research institutions with the opportunity to gain a highly regarded degree for the future. You've met some amazing people and are a part of some fantastic groups. You’re living on the campus where research and innovation that challenge conventional wisdoms takes place everyday. This is quite something - though occasionally endless library reading can make it easy to forget that! The Warwick campus is not large. Indeed, I heard earlier this week that everything can be accessed within a ten minute walk. I’ll look forward to simply exploring campus, especially seeing the natural elements. There is little better than spending a Sunday sitting by the lake, geese nearby, book in hand, ready to appreciate the beauty of something so close to home. Indeed, on my jogging route, passing the local stream is a key milestone as it keeps my motivation up. When campus is quiet, the journey is even better. My week devoted to only reading shouldn’t be unusual in the academic world. It is the life most academics lead - teaching a couple of lectures per week, perhaps the occasion seminar group or supervision added in. Otherwise, the time will be spent in one’s office or overseas, conducting research to be featured in journals, writing or editing books to enhance the literary understanding within the specific subject matter. This should be so welcome - raising the international standing both of the university and the academic department. I’ve not entirely ruled out a career in the academic world for the future; solitary time spent combing over books next week would be reflective of any future job opportunities! One of the many reasons I have gradually come round to supporting a four day week along with a universal basic income is the flexibility it offers individuals. If citizens want to take some time out of the work place to opt for a change in career, the guaranteed basic sum of money would allow them to do this. The UBI also offers a change for self reflection and the change to just exist. That is the same with regards to my reading week. Sometimes there is nothing wrong with simply standing still for a small period of time, taking stock of one’s personal and social lives and working out whether to change or continue along a certain pathway. The odd snippet of this along with work is no bad thing. Sometimes this term has been a tricky one: academically and personally. Something that has kept me going throughout that time is Warwick Arts Centre. The largest of its kind outside the Barbican Centre in London, I feel privileged to steward there. A few weeks ago, I wrote about stewarding their graduation, which was an experience in itself. All the staff I work with are so friendly and make the stewarding process that extra bit easier. It is a perfect way to supplement and unwind from my academic studies by focusing on others. Ensuring every visitor attending the Arts Centre has a positive experience means my attention has to be totally focused. One has to be truly in the moment. There is no time to think about a particularly tricky essay. And that is a wonderful thing. Some people find it odd that my idea of unwinding from writing academic work is…writing articles and blogs for pleasure. But that truly the case. I have a number of thoughts about the world: too many opinions shall we say! I don’t know whether they’re right or accurate, but there are few better stress relievers than getting the dilemmas conflicting one’s brain onto the page. It makes everything seem so much clearer and logical. Whether it’s writing for the Warwick student newspaper ‘The Boar’ or the ‘Perspectives’ website devoted to student political commentary, it is something I love to do. I will always write forms of non-fiction, no doubt on this blog. I am very lucky that my university organisations have decided to feature my musings on their pages too. The university reading week gives me ample time to articulate more thoughts, anecdotes and experiences. I can’t wait to get started.
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