What I've learnt at Uni so far

Hello again,

Haven't posted in a while but been a little preoccupied with going to Uni. I'm at the University of York and it is fab. Here is my list so far of what I have learnt already...

1. Napping is important.
2. You can go to lectures on no sleep
3. Introduction lectures are boring
4. Go out for the whole of freshers if you can make it
5. Freshers flu is real
6. Food is cheap up North
7. Donner Kebab Pizza
8. Cook 4 persons of food and freeze the rest - home-made ready meals
9. Take water to lectures
10. Don't expect the heating to be consistent between buildings
11. No one gives a s*** if you go to lectures in trackies and a hoodie
12. You will definitely meet someone who is desperately trying to reinvent themselves, but the real them keeps poking through
13. Whatsapp - easiest way to prevent awkwardness in groups where some people aren't on Facebook
14. DON'T SNAPCHAT STORY VIDEOS OF THE CLUB EVERY NIGHT
15. Drinking Game: Jammin by Bob Marley - every time he says Jammin, you drink.
16. Jager Bombs
17. Ask second years where the cheap drinks are
18. Get as much as you can at freshers fair (I got 14 pens, 1 sharpie, a whole bag of various sweets, giant marshmallow, free pizza, 4 key rings, 3 lanyards, 2 rubber men, tissues, wristbands etc.)
19. No one bothers with heels for a night out, cobbles and stilettos just don't mix
20. Make a lot of lists, it's the only way you'll know whats going on

There will be more student friendly recipes coming soon but until then...
All the best,
Bea x

My Top 10 Films you need to see before University

Hi There!

      So over the past week or so I've been putting together a list (in order) of My Top 10 Films I think you need to see before you go off to University. It's kind of a cover all bases, so you've seen the worst that can happen, before you're sat on the curbside of an unfamiliar city. They probably tend towards the more girly end of the spectrum, but that can't be a surprise? After all, I am a girl! Enjoy...

 

1. Pitch Perfect (2012)

• This is probably my all-time favourite film, and although it gives some pretty odd ideas about how uni life is going to be, it teaches a seriously good lesson about putting yourself out there, joining a random new club and meeting new people. Oh, and there are some gorgeous harmonies in the mashups…
2. The Inbetweeners Movie (2011)
• Be prepared for the level of awkwardness of their clubbing experiences – and for everyone to end up doing the dance when they have no idea what else to do. Everyone ends up knowing someone like each of the 4, probably not good to tell someone if they’re a Neil though!
3. Clueless (1995)
• Fun fact about this, it’s the basis for Iggy Azaleas music video for Fancy! Not gonna lie, I don’t miss quite a few of the fashion trends in this, but then again, we’ll probably say the same thing in ten years time. Forever glad my driving test didn’t go the same way hers did. I need a Josh.
4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
• If you can watch Heath Ledger sing without breaking into a grin, I frankly don’t believe you. Another moral story hidden behind a chick flick, but it’s great fun all the same.
5. Mean Girls (2004)
• Every school has girls like these, or at least that think they are. But you’re done with all that petty politics (at least in theory) so take the time to celebrate the lack of people like this in your life anymore.
6. St Trinians (2007)
• St Trinians is everyone’s dream of what boarding school would be like, but oh wait, we’re going to uni, which is basically boarding school with no rules, alcohol, and more parties!! When the back to school themed club night comes around, you know what’s in store.
7. 21 Jump Street (2012)
• Pretty good way to learn how to party, and it’s not exactly like Channing Tatum or Dave Franco aren’t easy on the eyes. If you enjoy this, Bad Neighbors is a must.
8. The Breakfast Club (1985)
• It’s a classic. Quoted all over, even in Pitch Perfect.
9. Legally Blonde (2001)
• Just because people don’t think your smart enough, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Elle Woods proves this. Oh and yet another moral story, chasing boys doesn’t mean they’ll like you, sorry, it’s the truth.
10. Accepted (2006)
•  For those of you who were bricking it for results, I’m sure at one point you even considered making a fake acceptance letter so you could just leave and your parents would never know. Well this guy did it, in an amazing way.

       I hope you enjoyed this, let me know if you did and there might be more film/recommendation lists in the future!

All the best,

Bea x

University Bound

So, you’ve got into Uni, now what. Well actually there’s quite a lot you need to sort out, this is my checklist so far:

1.       Check your place is confirmed, your uni should email you with a conformation email which will be followed up by a welcome pack.
2.       Complete Enrolment. For some unis this is done online before you arrive, for mine we even have to upload a photo for our ID cards.
3.       Your Accommodation. If you had a conditional offer (which you have reached so creds to you!) then it is likely that now is the time you will find whether you have got into university owned accommodation if you chose to apply. Check if there is a deposit you need to pay, and keep an eye out for a confirmation/accept button, otherwise you may lose your spot
4.       Log into Gov.UK to double check how much maintenance loan you are entitled to. It is also super important to log into here as this is where you will find how much money is getting put into your bank account and when. This will be mega useful when it comes to paying for accommodation.
5.       Find out how much your accommodation is going to cost, and when you have to make payments. Some unis do it all by direct debit, others can be made over the phone so this is worth checking now, well before the payment will be due.
6.       Start looking on Facebook for flatmate groups. For example, if you know you’re in P block, floor 3, search for a group called Your University P Block 2016-2017.
7.       Check out the score on WiFi. At some places it is free, but others it may cost you so remember to factor that in when thinking where your money is going.
8.       Start to think about what to take with you, some places offer bedding packs which saves the hassle of transporting duvets and pillows in the car so look into that. This is my list of essentials so far:

·        Cooking Kit (Big pan, small frying pan, spatula, colander, spoon, knife, fork, cup, mug, wooden spoon etc.)

·        Toiletries (Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower Gel, Face Wash etc.)

·        First Aid Kit (Plasters, pain killers, cough medicine) – when you’re ill or bleeding, you don’t want to have to catch a bus to go get such things

·        School Clothes – almost every uni will have a back to school themed evening at some point in the first term

·        Comfy Clothes – you are at uni to learn, yes to have fun but no one wants to be sat in a 2-hour lecture feeling super uncomfortable just because they’re wearing something fashionable, that said, onesies might not be a great idea!

·        Mementos – maybe a photo frame or collage, or just a teddy. Everyone ends up missing home after a while and you’re going to want some kind of comfort

I hope this helps a little if you’re feeling a bit lost in it all, and if you didn’t get in this year, it really isn’t the end of the world. I know so many of my parent’s friends with impressive careers with no degrees so don’t ever think it will limit your success.

All the best,

Bea x

Bea is back

I have now returned from the land of revision! I am a human once more!
I hope that everyones exams went as well as they could, and that everyone gets the results they have worked so hard for!
Leaving college feels really weird, it's been a very fast two years but I've some of the best times of my life there, and met some amazing people. Leaving secondary school I felt kind of happy, but leaving college is sad and scary. Sad I won't see everyone, and scary that we're all going to be so far from each other. Oh, and the food is amazing and I will really miss the chicken, bacon and lettuce baguettes.
Waking up this morning and knowing I have no more revision is glorious. My wall has been relieved of formulae, equations and diagrams and looks like a wall again.
Top Tip: Be careful when taking blu-tack off of wall paper. lesson learnt
But now the question is, what do I do?
Getting home yesterday and going for a family hike was perfect and I can strongly recommend it. Even if it's just yourself or a few friends, pick a spot on the map and go explore. Getting away from wifi and the constant fear of what the world is going to do next is very refreshing.
I can't really not mention it, but I am strongly Pro-Europe. That's all I'm saying.
Today is my last big orchestra do, and will again be very emotional. I'm going to buy a notebook to make a written diary of this summer, in theory, I'll be starting uni exactly 3 months today.
That's seriously scary.
Along with documenting my time for these 3 months on here, it will be nice to have a solid copy of my thoughts to look back on. I'm also going to carry on my work on my holiday book, so will do a post with a photo in due course.

All the best for the future, onwards and upwards as they say!

Bea x

The Ultimate Stressbuster

Remember those crazy tunes from the year 6 disco, put them on and have a dance, just dance around the kitchen or your room or wherever. For 15 minutes or so just put the stress of everything else on hold and have a good dance! It's great fun, you'll get into the music so your brain gets a rest, AND it's exercise - literally couldn't be better!

Song Recommendations:
Crazy Frog - Axel F
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
Single Ladies - Beyonce
I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Toxic - Britney Spears
Hot N Cold - Katy Perry
Party In The USA - Miley Cyrus
TiK ToK - Ke$ha
Run The World (Girls) - Beyonce

Here's a bit of inspiration for your crazy dance moves...

All the best,

Bea x

17 Days to go...

As the title suggests, I have 17 days until my first exam, resitting Statistics 1. This post is all about
how I prepare for an exam...

Past Papers: doing whole papers gives you a good representation of your final grade in that paper, by looking up the grade boundaries you can get even more clarification. Also by doing past papers you can learn how the examiner will be reading your work and what points they will be looking for, using this knowledge you can learn how to set out your work in the easiest way for them to see you have done the work for each mark.

Posters: any formulae you need to learn that are struggling with, write the formulae on a piece of paper, clearly and large, and put it in an obvious place in the house, every time you go past, read it and gradually it will sink into your brain.

Flash Cards: Again with tricky formulae, writing them onto flash cards means you can carry them with you to revise on the go, such as the bus to school or college. Key facts or grammar points also fit nicely onto flash cards, try not to make them too full though or it becomes a chore to read them through.

Write it out: This is kinda included in the points above but writing out the key phrases over and over really cements them into your brain. It's just like learning spellings in primary school, the muscle memory in your hand will know what to put as soon as you see that awful question that comes up in every paper.

Eat: Many people forget to eat properly and regularly when they are concentrating on revision. Without proper nutrition, your body is gonna have to work overtime to function. Feed your brain, a great revision snack is a chopped up carrot, or a pot of raisins. Both are full of vitamins to help you power through.

Water: Your brain is 75% water! The average person doing light exercise should be drinking about 2.5L a day. Keeping yourself hydrated makes you feel better and focus better.

But most importantly of all...
Relax: Find your way of unwinding, sudoku, jigsaw, read a book, colouring, working out, minesweeper, or going for a walk. A way away from Wifi is the best, think about why you're really scrolling through Facebook, getting away from notifications is not only good for your eyes from staring at screens but I find it also reduces my stress levels.

Take a deep breath, and smash that exam!

All the best,

Bea x

Choosing a University

There are many factors when it comes down to choosing a university, but here are my top 6 factors to look at for finding the perfect place:

1.       Distance – Does living far away from your family bother you? If you are more of a home bod, draw up a circle on a map to look at universities within that distance. The same method works for if you know that you want to go somewhere further than a certain distance from home, or not within London for example.

2.       Family Ties – Going to university in a city where you have family members can be nice. It means you have someone to reach out to in an emergency but it could also become a tie. Falling into a habit of seeing them a certain time a week with no flexibility, or being called in as baby sitter every week could get tiring. In my opinion, I was biased towards places my family don’t know so well, as to make it my place and my adventure.

3.       The Course Content – this is VITAL! You do not want to get stuck in a course that you find boring, just because you went for a university your friend is going to, or because they have good sports. Yes, university is where you’re likely to meet your lifelong friends, but you also want to learn something – preferably something you like.

4.       Facilities – if your course is very lab based, such as Biochemistry, you don’t want to go to a university where the labs are a long way off campus, or old, small or forlorn. Equally, if you were doing a subject such as English, you don’t want to go somewhere where the poetry section of the library is equal to your bedroom shelf.

5.       Hobbies – do they offer a good Orchestra, Football Team, Harry Potter Society or whatever it is that is your passion. As I said above, uni is a very social place and so you’re going to want the opportunity to meet like-minded people. Don’t choose a uni just because of this, but if it came down to two and one had the opportunity for you to express yourself, it’s a done deal.

6.       Accommodation – Do you want the opportunity to cook for yourself? Carefully look at some universities accommodation, some such as Cambridge do not have places with the facilities for their students to cook. It’s definitely worth looking into if you’re a keen cook like me. 

All the best,

Bea x

(ps. I'm loving the variety of countries I'm getting views from, so amazing to see how the internet reaches people from so far and wide!)