So, reality of student life... Well I’ll give you reality:
Zero seven hundred hours this morning I became gradually aware of a persistent thumping noise in my right ear. As I slowly came round to consciousness, realising I was not back in a sub tropical rainforest in southern Uganda again, but in fact lying in my single bed (and that takes some getting used to after 14 years in a double bed let me tell you) in the wonderful surrounds of the student accommodation of UCCA, Farnham.
‘Singing in the rain’ I was not. I rapidly realised the dripping in my ear was not the sole source of my troubles; after lifting my head from an increasingly sodden pillow it became apparent that emergency evacuation was required! Multiple infiltrations above my bed were quickly turning my mattress into an absorbent for the internal rainfall. On the upside at least I was awake early enough to get a shower before the water went off at around 8am.
Now this was not the first time I had this unwanted watery intrusion. Back in November it had started bouncing off my keyboard as I was working into the night (as students do) on a dissertation. After reporting it to the caretaker (or porter as they’re called here) on night duty I thought no more about it. Until about four weeks ago at 2am when I was woken by water splashing on my pillow. Sleep was abandoned and again the update was passed on to the caretaker. With yesterday’s forecast of doom and gloom all I had was hope, that the storms would hold off long enough to get some water free sleep.
As I look out the window now, my thoughts again turn to the chances of a dry night??
I had planned a slightly lighter introduction…to tell you a bit about how I ended up as a not so stereotypical student, but that will have to wait…rain reality was more pressing.
A note to Heavenly’s post below: Trust me, you don’t want to be living on campus, the leak free alternative is the better one. Cheaper it may be but cheerful doesn’t come into the description.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Newcomer 'Travel Moment'
I thought going back to study after five years of working would frighten me, but believe me, there is nothing scary about it. I am even more determined to give this uni thing a chance.
I'm a Zambian babe, who has lived in South Africa for a few years and is now currently studying Journalism at University College for the Creative Arts in Farnham. I have to travel to university from Grove Park (in London) to Farnham three times a week.
When I landed at Heathrow Airport everything unravelled and realising that I left the comfort zone of my country, I started to feel uneasy: How will I know which tube or train to get on to my university? And where to get off?
On my first day of uni I got on the right train after asking 12 people on the way whether that was the right one. I got off at the right stop but I had to ask for directions to my destination. Surprisingly when I asked for help, people did not know about UCCA or where it was. A million thoughts were running through my mind, I started panicking; maybe I got the directions wrong or it was a phony uni but I tried to stay calm.
I called my father back in Zambia to ask him if could verify the uni details and if it really existed. He called me back and said that he called the uni and verified with the British Council. I then called my fiancé who was working in London to check the journey planner for me just in case I printed the wrong one off the Internet. My fiancé assured me that I printed the correct journey planner. He told me to relax and go over the directions and map again. I saw a person walking my way; I plucked up the courage to ask for help again. At last this person knew where the uni was and helped me read the map correctly and I found my way there, and the uni does exist.
For all foreign students, listen to your instincts, never be afraid to ask for directions if there are people around you even if it means asking more than five people. If you have a map read it carefully.
I'm a Zambian babe, who has lived in South Africa for a few years and is now currently studying Journalism at University College for the Creative Arts in Farnham. I have to travel to university from Grove Park (in London) to Farnham three times a week.
When I landed at Heathrow Airport everything unravelled and realising that I left the comfort zone of my country, I started to feel uneasy: How will I know which tube or train to get on to my university? And where to get off?
On my first day of uni I got on the right train after asking 12 people on the way whether that was the right one. I got off at the right stop but I had to ask for directions to my destination. Surprisingly when I asked for help, people did not know about UCCA or where it was. A million thoughts were running through my mind, I started panicking; maybe I got the directions wrong or it was a phony uni but I tried to stay calm.
I called my father back in Zambia to ask him if could verify the uni details and if it really existed. He called me back and said that he called the uni and verified with the British Council. I then called my fiancé who was working in London to check the journey planner for me just in case I printed the wrong one off the Internet. My fiancé assured me that I printed the correct journey planner. He told me to relax and go over the directions and map again. I saw a person walking my way; I plucked up the courage to ask for help again. At last this person knew where the uni was and helped me read the map correctly and I found my way there, and the uni does exist.
For all foreign students, listen to your instincts, never be afraid to ask for directions if there are people around you even if it means asking more than five people. If you have a map read it carefully.
Stormy Weather
I absolutely love the track by Billie Holiday, beautiful and typically moody jazz..
About Me
I am the eldest of the group, a not so proud to be 32 year old, mum of two boys aged 14 and 5. I'm a born and bred Londoner and live with my boys and my toy boy fiancé, a baby at 30 years old, in a two up two down terraced house. Being the only girl in my household is hard work, they smell, they're lazy and they are LOUD.
I study journalism at the University College of the Creative Arts Farnham, a five hour round trip away from home; today is a stormy day, I didn’t attend class. My mom phoned me last night 22.34 by my watch… 'did you hear the news? A storm is coming’ my mom exaggerates so; I took it with a pinch of salt and told her I’d keep an eye out for the forecast in the morning. She moved to a sleepy town called Ware (where? Yes we’ve heard the jokes) in Hertfordshire recently, so her forecasts can often be different to mine in West London.
I woke up as usual at 06.00 and went downstairs to watch the news, accidents on the motorway, problems with the train lines, flights cancelled from Heathrow, SEVERE WEATHER warnings. Ok mom, you were right, but bear in mind that this is a woman who’d build a bunker in the garden if someone on LBC mentioned the chance of war!!
Its times like this that I wish I lived on campus. Another lost day. To add to it, my eldest son is unable to attend school, his route is blocked. Great, not only do I have to stay home, but I have to spend it with my brooding teenager.
I made breakfast for everyone as usual, toast, cereal, tea, eggs the orders pile in, Gordon Ramsay eat your heart out, what the hell do they do when I’m not here? Oh yeah I know, make a bloody mess for me to clean up when I get back from Uni…
I don’t know why there’s no sun up in my sky, stormy weather, since my man and I aint together looks like the sun won’t shine……
About Me
I am the eldest of the group, a not so proud to be 32 year old, mum of two boys aged 14 and 5. I'm a born and bred Londoner and live with my boys and my toy boy fiancé, a baby at 30 years old, in a two up two down terraced house. Being the only girl in my household is hard work, they smell, they're lazy and they are LOUD.
I study journalism at the University College of the Creative Arts Farnham, a five hour round trip away from home; today is a stormy day, I didn’t attend class. My mom phoned me last night 22.34 by my watch… 'did you hear the news? A storm is coming’ my mom exaggerates so; I took it with a pinch of salt and told her I’d keep an eye out for the forecast in the morning. She moved to a sleepy town called Ware (where? Yes we’ve heard the jokes) in Hertfordshire recently, so her forecasts can often be different to mine in West London.
I woke up as usual at 06.00 and went downstairs to watch the news, accidents on the motorway, problems with the train lines, flights cancelled from Heathrow, SEVERE WEATHER warnings. Ok mom, you were right, but bear in mind that this is a woman who’d build a bunker in the garden if someone on LBC mentioned the chance of war!!
Its times like this that I wish I lived on campus. Another lost day. To add to it, my eldest son is unable to attend school, his route is blocked. Great, not only do I have to stay home, but I have to spend it with my brooding teenager.
I made breakfast for everyone as usual, toast, cereal, tea, eggs the orders pile in, Gordon Ramsay eat your heart out, what the hell do they do when I’m not here? Oh yeah I know, make a bloody mess for me to clean up when I get back from Uni…
I don’t know why there’s no sun up in my sky, stormy weather, since my man and I aint together looks like the sun won’t shine……
Hello from The Commissioner
Hi everyone,
As you may or may not know already, this is a blog aiming to dispell the stereotype that surrounds us students. Believe it or not, some of us are over the age of 21. Some of us even families - partners, kids, maybe even a cat or a dog. Neither of those things apply to me. What I do have, however, is seen as something of a rarity for students - a job. More specifically, a job at one of the UK's favourite supermarkets, stacking shelves, working on the tills and generally having a miserable time trying to stop myself going into debt.
This blog is, in a way, a means by which I can get all things work-related off my chest, and I invite you all to do the same. I know I'm not alone in having to work a shit job to get by, and it would be great if all those of you who can relate to what I'm talking about, student or otherwise, could get in touch. I hope, one way or another, you'll all be able to take something from what I'm writing and, if you don't already, learn about the realities of student life.
The Commissioner
As you may or may not know already, this is a blog aiming to dispell the stereotype that surrounds us students. Believe it or not, some of us are over the age of 21. Some of us even families - partners, kids, maybe even a cat or a dog. Neither of those things apply to me. What I do have, however, is seen as something of a rarity for students - a job. More specifically, a job at one of the UK's favourite supermarkets, stacking shelves, working on the tills and generally having a miserable time trying to stop myself going into debt.
This blog is, in a way, a means by which I can get all things work-related off my chest, and I invite you all to do the same. I know I'm not alone in having to work a shit job to get by, and it would be great if all those of you who can relate to what I'm talking about, student or otherwise, could get in touch. I hope, one way or another, you'll all be able to take something from what I'm writing and, if you don't already, learn about the realities of student life.
The Commissioner
North of the border first post
Hi there!
I’m North of the border and on this blog I’m going to write about relationships and the realities of been a university student. I’ll try to make you laugh but I’ll also try to be serious when I think I need to be.
Ok so here’s a little bit about me. I’m a first year journalism student at the university college of the creative arts and am based on the Farnham campus which is in the wilds of sunny surrey!! As well as juggling a full time journalism degree and a hectic social life I’m also trying to keep a three year relationship with my boyfriend going, which has become quite difficult since coming to uni because he lives over 250 miles away and because as I’m a student I cant afford to see him as much as I want.
So yeah that’s basically me in a paragraph but I’m sure that you’ll learn lots more about me as this blog develops. As you’ll probably work out there’s six of us working on this blog and we’re all going to try and write about different subjects in out posts to give you six different perspectives of what really been a student is like.
Love
North of the Border
I’m North of the border and on this blog I’m going to write about relationships and the realities of been a university student. I’ll try to make you laugh but I’ll also try to be serious when I think I need to be.
Ok so here’s a little bit about me. I’m a first year journalism student at the university college of the creative arts and am based on the Farnham campus which is in the wilds of sunny surrey!! As well as juggling a full time journalism degree and a hectic social life I’m also trying to keep a three year relationship with my boyfriend going, which has become quite difficult since coming to uni because he lives over 250 miles away and because as I’m a student I cant afford to see him as much as I want.
So yeah that’s basically me in a paragraph but I’m sure that you’ll learn lots more about me as this blog develops. As you’ll probably work out there’s six of us working on this blog and we’re all going to try and write about different subjects in out posts to give you six different perspectives of what really been a student is like.
Love
North of the Border
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