Well graduation falls into the middle of my summer so things have to fit around that, it is slightly annoying but never mind. And there is always that slight possibility I won’t graduate but I don’t think about that too much!

At the moment, I have put my name down to work for Aim Higher summer schools, (this is part of my student advocate job). This job is really fun and enjoyable, last year I had a blast so it is def worth doing to again!

I did originally think of Camp America, but to be fair I have done Camp Canada twice and loved it, but not sure if am over that experience. And I would miss graduation so probably not the best idea as I do want to graduate with my friends!

After working with Aim Higher, I will most likely work again for a local council working with children over the summer holidays, this was very enjoyable. Maybe I will try and fit a holiday in as well. Hopefully doing these jobs will work me out of my over draft but yeah am not there just yet.

My main hope is I have a job, teaching in a school in September, but we shall see! Take care Viki J x

For all you new students coming in September, the option modules may change to suit changing times but yeah there all very interesting. For our assessment we had to choose an alternative education setting to focus upon and then make a poster displaying why it is beneficial to go there.  At the moment I have visited my alternative education setting which is the Imperial War Museum in Trafford. I have been focusing on what I should put on the poster and so on but I am really excited to get started on it.

I had a tutorial as well so I know I am definitely on the right track I should be able to get going on creating the A1 poster, when I have finished I will definitely put pictures of it up for you to see. Anyway best get on with the written side of it! Viki J x

Ok, third year, yes it is hard work at the moment. I have so much work to do and the time keeps disappearing, I get up early and don’t seem to get anything done. I have literally four assignments left for the year and my placement and then I am done.

It is completely scary stuff, too much work and too much going on. I have around 10,000 words to write in a couple of weeks so I really should get on, but there is so much to do. Usually I am a little more organised than this but everything had been pretty hectic recently. I have so much to organise and so many responsibilities but yeah where to fit it all in? Luckily I do have two weeks off and a week in placement so that does open a lot of time for me. However, looks like my social life will suffer for a little while.

University can be a strange thing, one minute it is all about the social side and the next it’s all about locking yourself in your room until you have finished your work! But yeah I suppose it will be worth it in the end. At the moment I am just struggling to see the end! But yeah must keep focused as I definitely want a degree! Blog soon, Viki J x

The NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY!

This survey is extremely important; do you want your opinions heard? It talks about your course and how you rate aspects of it. If you do this you help the course and so on to improve.

It’s quick to complete and you’ll be helping prospective students make the right choices of where and what to study.

If you need more information check out the website, www.thestudentsurvey.com

I recommend you doing it, we can make a better university this way! Viki J x

Let’s see what’s on –

Talks and discussions

Taster sessions

Exhibitions

Workshops

Theatre

Events

The aim of the week is to highlight and celebrate diversity and give students and staff a broader understanding of related issues. The week begins on the 1^st February and ends 5^th February so don’t miss out. For more details do go and pick up a leaflet from the SU or the careers centre. If not check out Edge Hill’s website where all the details can be found on diversity week.

The sessions go from learning a language to working with guide dogs so don’t miss out and yeah get involved, you can also pre-book. I shall be around! Viki J x

If you’re interested in the outdoors and you’re soon to be coming to university or already a member of Edge Hill add yourself to the EDGE HILL OUTDOOR CLUB on facebook. You will receive notices about events and messages keeping you up to date with the latest information and so on. Nothing is compulsory but obviously we want you to get involved either participating or creating your own activities! Climbing is not the only thing on, we have kayaking, biking and hiking! Then seasonal events such as white water rafting & Go Ape! Oh and a fortnightly social! Were open to suggestions!

We try and keep costs low as were students so we must be poor (at least the majority of us, haha). Membership for the club costs £15 (one of payment) that gets you BMC membership which is insurance for hiking and climbing. The rest is put towards buying gear etc and discounted use of shops and the minibus. Membership is only required after three taster sessions to the club! Awesome Walls charge £6.50 for entry and any additional gear hire (if you’re a member the club has its own gear). The final two costs are for the minibus (£2 for members, £3 for non members) and a society cards (which is the SU’s way of ensuring insurance for you on campus £3 also a one off payment) that’s it!

Get involved, try something new! Viki, Edge Hill Outdoor Club. x

There is a group of bloggers, who report on all the things around university in their blogs, feel free to read them especially when they are focused on a course or facilities of the university. It is really helpful getting an honest student opinion to help you get a good feel for the university. Also on the forums, feel free to make your own, ask questions etc and ‘we’ the bloggers will answer your questions and direct you in the right way if we can’t do this – we certainly will find out for you or pass you onto the right people!

Just a little about me, I am now a third year student so I have been through it all but I keep updated with latest news around university! I study Primary Teaching hoping to be a primary teacher when I graduate, currently applying for jobs! I do loads of extra activities in university; firstly, I work for university doing a range of things (Blogging, Aim Higher, Tour Guides etc). Furthermore, I run a society at university called the Edge Hill Outdoor Club and I am Societies Officer. This involves looking after all the societies in university! There is lots to get involved with at university I look forward to chatting to you guys! Viki J x

Bit by bit it feels like everything is disappearing and everyone is moving on to bigger and better things whereas I still want to hold on to every little moment and experience I can. I suppose this is similar to my last couple of blogs where it’s time to accept it and move on to new and exciting things. But losing friends is one of the worse parts of it, I suppose in today’s day and age communication isn’t a problem but it isn’t the same when they live really far away and you can’t see them as often as you’d like. But I suppose we have to do our best!

Also I suppose that’s just another part of life and I am sure to meet many other new and interesting people in the world! But after being with people for three years it isn’t as easy as you think! They do say you meet your lifelong friends are university as well as your lifelong partner! I suppose time will tell! Viki J x

I am attempting some new year’s resolutions this year as well, why? I don’t know, as I probably won’t stick to them but so far so good, no crisp haha! I had to give up on not eating sweets because a brand new old fashioned sweet shop and opened in the land of Ormskirk, if you haven’t been its great (am eating bon bons now). Very helpful if you need some academic motivation, which at the moment am trying not to think about. I really do have a lot of work to do especially now that I am back at university. But first I feel I should be allowed to have a nice catch up with my university friends and a few nights out then the work shall begin . . . hopefully!

Anyway, I can imagine quite a few of you are back home studying hard for exams and I do not envy you, I am much happier attending my classes a little earlier. Well I hope you had a happy new year and I hope your exams go ok – bring on Refreshers Week! Viki J x

Edge Hill have done an excellent job in preparing and supporting me to become a great teacher but it is this final step which is making me panic. Over Christmas is has been one of our tasks to start preparing to apply for jobs, we’ve had loads of help in what to do, where to look etc. But the big thing for me is accepting the challenge of joining the real world. I am tempted to speak to a careers advisor, in our careers centre (SIC building) and chat about all my worries and thoughts. They do encourage students to come and speak to them this could be a good start. Use this as an outlet if you are in a similar position to me!

If you are in a similar position, I already know it is extremely nerve-racking but it is quite exciting too and I suppose one day we all have to accept that it’s time to move on with the next chapter of our lives. It is very reassuring that Edge Hill will be there every step of the way. So I suppose for now I should just take it one step at a time and keep calm! I wonder what I will be feeling like in 6months when am about to finish university! Until next time, Viki J x