Semester 1:

Today marks my last academic week of Semester 1. This week I have to hand in my last radio package, having already completed two of these already it's going to be a massive relief to get my third and last one submitted. I also have a copy editing test, as well as doing the Broadcast side of Journalism my course also focuses on the written side too. Which is good as i'll have a variety of Journalistic skills which will help for when i Graduate (which is 3 years off).

I will then be travelling back to Wigan on a Megabus (student way of travelling). The Megabus is a really good way to travel to Uni and back home. It's cheap with tickets costing less than £8. This of course will be after me and my Uni friends have our flat Christmas. We all did secret santa (not very secret as none of us could keep our mouths shut when drunk). But still it's going to be a really good way to end Semester one.

Few pics from Semester 1.

I think the social side of University has been a massive part of it so far for me,  especially as i'm only in two days a week. It will all change in Semester 2 as i'm in everyday and have to juggle my option module in with my core modules, which will keep me extra busy. I've met so many amazing people so far and done so many amazing things. I really am looking forward to spending my three years at Sunderland University.

I think i forgot to mention at the start of this Blog that i live on the River in an accommodation called Panns Bank. (it's the 2 brown buildings on this picture ^).  I thought i'd share these photos for any prospective Sunderland University students. The views are definitely a plus in my eyes.

Ucas Application

This time last year, I had only just sent my UCAS application off. I wish i would have sent it off earlier but that doesn't matter as i'm now at my first University choice. I remember it taking ages for me to write a personal statement and the long wait over Christmas to receive offers was not pleasant. It seemed like i was the only one not receiving offers, after seeing pictures of other peoples offers all over social media sites. Don't worry about that, different universities look at applications at different times, there's nothing to worry about.

After sending my application off i thought it'd be a good idea to check my top two University choices out again. I could only get to one of two applicant days; fortunately that turned out to be my first choice University. I would definitely try to get a top 3 University choices whilst the Universities are considering your application. I was fortunate enough to not receive any Interviews for any of my choices, but know of people who did. I would recommend you get prepared for the Interview at least 2 weeks in advance; know where your going, what your taking etc.

The relief of receiving offers after the unpleasant wait is amazing, not as amazing as finally getting an Unconditional for the University, but still it's good. The hardest part for me was deciding which University to put as my Insurance, as i felt that i couldn't go anywhere else other than my firm choice because of how much i liked it. I decided that Sunderland was my Firm and Chester would be my insurance as it had a lower entry criteria. I was lucky enough to receive an Unconditional from Sunderland in July and am now enjoying my first year so far.

UCAS applications can be scary things at first. I found the application process to be very boring. I would have preferred to have sent a video in for my application, being a Broadcast Journalist student. But overall the process of applying for UCAS is worth it in the end!.

University life so far ...

I'm now home from University for Reading Week. A week where i get to catch up on work as November is seen as Deadline month for me and many other students. I thought it'd be a great idea to start my first post surrounded by the home comforts i don't get at University.

The past nine weeks have been the most amazing weeks of my life so far. It all started on September 13, when i moved up to Sunderland University to start my freshers week. Freshers week is now an important part of a students life; socialising, partying and having fun is the usual schedule of a Universities freshers week. I would recommend everyone attending Freshers week at your University. It really is an amazing way to start your first year.

My course (Broadcast Journalism) kicked off to a slow start. Having already studied a practical media course for 2 years i knew how to use the editing software, equipment and content of some of the radio module. It was nice to go back over it though to refresh my brain after a lengthy 3month break over Summer.  I love studying a course i'm really passionate about and that's what you need to consider when applying for Universities on UCAS.

House hunting has also started for me and my friends. We are looking for an eight bedroom house in Sunderland City Centre. Doing things like this make me realise how independent I have become since  starting University. Looking for houses this early on was not what i was expecting to do, but with many of the best houses being snatched up by other students we need to get a move on to get a good house ourselves.