Employability

This week the focus is all about future careers. Going to university will give me a better opportunity to compete for jobs in different industries. I have develop a portfolio for one of my assignments. This meant that I had to reflect on my career history and to look for a job that I would like to do in the future.

When I left my job to come to university, I thought that I wanted to be a counsellor. It the reason why I choose to do my degree in psychology and counselling therapies.  However, being at university bought back the passion I have for helping people learn. I have always worked in the public and commercial sectors and never really considered working in higher education.

 Some of my lecturers have inspired me to want to teach and some of them has made me think that I could do that. My choice of job for the portfolio was a psychology lecturer. It was surprising to find that I will require a PHD to teach. This information has reinforced my decision to stay in higher education and go all the way. I wonder if I will end up teaching at Bedfordshire university  if so I think it will be a great joy. 

my old job as trainer with springboard group

my future Job

Exam Revision

It’s time to get down to revision. I have 4 exams 2 which are multipile choice and to written ones. I cant say I am looking forward to it, but its what I am there for to test my learning.

I have made a revision plan and will try to stick to it. I don’t want to become to stressed. I am worried about the written exams as I have dyslexia i will have extra time but this does not help with spelling. I want to do well as the exams  form a large percentage of your overall grade.

I have spent a fortunte on index cards and spend a lot of time making notes for me to remember all the various theories we have learnt in the different subjects and believe me psychology has lot of different therioes.

Research methods is causing me most concern I hae to remember which test for which xperiment. I will have to read and analyse data and write up the results using the right format.

Practice seems to be the only way so i am spending my days and nights writing out the formulas and I just hope I remember them.

Its important to find some time for relaxation during this period as constant worry is no good for anyone. I am concentrating on doing my best and I hope my best will give me the grades I need. 

planning is key

my desk and my cat to keep me calm

Springtime

The sun is out and I am enjoying the spring. It’s lovely to see the spring flowers and to have longer days. I have been celebrating my granddaughters 4^th birthday. It was lovely event with my family and friends of my daughter. Some of them are in their first year at university so it was good to compare stories.

My 2^nd year is nearly over. I can’t believe that the time has gone so quickly. I have just one piece of written work to submit then I can get down to revision. This stage of university is really about consolidating your knowledge. I have realised how much I learnt in year one and that knowledge has helped me to success n year 2.

 Spring is about new beginnings which usually gives me hope that I will have more opportunity to experience different things. I am beginning to see the first signs that I have learnt things in psychology and about studying which has improved my self-confidence.

Being at university gives you so many different things, it’s not just about the academic achievements. Learning to motivate yourself and learn independently are important skills which contributes towards success in making the transitions into higher Education.

So If you are considering go to university why not come to an open day where you get to speak to students who are living the experience.

studying in the sun

Accommodation

Accommodation

This week has been interesting its the start of exam season. Lots to do but its good spending time at home. I live in my own accommodation so I don’t have to worry about where I live outside of term time.

If you are thinking about coming to university it is important to consider where you going to live.  For many students its the first time that they are going to live away from home.  Choosing the right accommodation is important as it will be the place where you spend your time outside of the university. For some students living on campus is a good option. There is no travel involved and there is the added security of living with other students. Living in halls also gives students a chance to make new friends. This option can be expensive however, for younger students in their first year it may be the best option

During year two, many students share renting a house this is a cheaper option than living in halls but you have the added responsibility of paying bills. This option will give you more independence. But you will have to find a deposit.

If you are lucky enough to live at home whilst studying it is important to factor in travel time and costs. This can also mean you don’t do as many things socially but if you make the effort to do some campus events you can have the best of both worlds

Whatever option you choose do a budget and ensure that you can afford it and its safe.

living in halls

Ladies Weekend

This weekend has been all about celebrating womanhood. Each year for international women’s month over 200 women take themselves off to a wonderful hotel in Bristol for a weekend of pampering, fun and joy. The weekend provided me with some time to rest and recuperate, after months of intense studying.

I used my time to swim and just relax whilst, spending time listening to other women and what has happened since last year. Taking care of your emotional wellbeing is an important part of studying. This time was all about me and my friends. Having the chance to dressed up and have a lovely 3 course meal on Saturday night is always my highlight. Being a student you will often see me in jeans or leggings. It was lovely to spend time getting made up and worrying about what to wear. This year’s theme was silver and gold. I was very fortunate that I have a niece who was able to source me a gold dress at the last minute at a very good price. After food we were entertained by a very good singer. He did a brilliant job entertaining over 200 women.

It doesn’t stop there. After dinner we then have a disco. I was able to dance the night away (after taking off those heels). I love music and dancing it’s a great form of exercise for me. I didn’t get to bed until 6 in the morning.  Spending time with my closet friend was great. As we  no longer live near to each other I don’t get to see her often . Catching up with all the different things that have gone on in our lives, in a relaxing environment was just what was needed.

dressed to impress

Time to relax

Still got some free time to look forward to. I am going to have a great Easter.

                                              

Inspirational Teachers

The University has given students the opportunity to appreciate those people who have enabled them to have a positive experience. I choose to nominate several teachers who have inspired me and helped me to become a better student. Having good teachers is an important part of university life. I nominated my research methods teachers and Faye Powell (Social process and lifespan development) as my most inspirational teacher.

These teachers have been able to present information in a manner that I can understand. Psychology is a very complex subject and covers wide areas such as biological, cognitive and social and developmental psychology. Most of these subject areas were very new to me and it took me a while to develop the deeper understanding that I needed.  My teachers were able to help me put together the different pieces of the jigsaw. Their passion and in-depth knowledge of the subject, was transferred to me. These teachers are open and friendly, I feel that I can ask them lots of questions to aid my understanding. I want their teaching to be recognised and rewarded and this was my chance to say thank you for the support that they have given to me.

Being a good teacher is not the only thing that helps students, having units that are well organised, with information that is accessible is an important factor. It was for this reason amongst others that I nominated the research methods teaching team. Research methods was the unit I feared the most. It is however in my view the most important unit in psychology. It has enabled me to understand how to conduct research and read previous studies in order to complete my assignments.

I really hope they win, but if they don’t they will always have my respect and admiration and I think that University of Bedfordshire are lucky to have such great teachers in their psychology department.

Submitting Assignments

This week has been really busy at university. I have had two submission deadlines and a practical assessment in counselling. WOW! Pleased to say it’s all been summited on time and I got a really good grade in my practical assessment. The second semester at university is the hardest. Submitting assignments seems never ending’. It’s just a reminder that I am here to learn all about psychology and the assessments are just part of assessing how much I have learnt or can remember.

Smile while you learn 

When it’s time to finally summit an assignment its feels strange for me. I don’t want it to be over but I do. I enjoy shutting down all the files that I used for my assignments and I really do enjoy the research. Anyway I still have another report to write for Bio/cog and exams are rapidly approaching.

                                                       This is what I want to be doing 

I am now looking forward as another semester has now finished. It feels like a whirlwind, one minute I just started, now I am over half way through. My planning has seemed to pay off I am not feeling stressed. Those assignments were submitted long before the 11.59 deadline. So it's finally time for me to relax a bit. I have a weekend away tomorrow, which I am really looking forward to. Then It's time to see the grandchildren as Easter is almost here again.