Week 9 of autumn term. It’s cold, it’s wet and with deadlines approaching, there is a tense atmosphere about campus. As you turn a corner you see masses of students with books in hand and worry in their eyes as they’re frantically trying to get their life in order. It is at this point in their university life that they’re second-guessing that hung-over, post Kuda (nightclub in town) decision to miss that 9am seminar in week 2. “It’s only week 2, what important topics could they possibly teach you so early on in term?” – These are the words thrown by housemates to cause that crack under peer pressure. Actually, as it turns out, this seminar would outline their later 2000 word essay…
As an Environmental Science student, I am constantly kept busy. Busy enough to sometimes envy my Politics and Philosophy friends with slower weeks, but free enough not to envy my friends studying Chemistry who have crazy weeks. This week I have 22 hours, more contact heavy than in the past. They usually range from around 16-20 hours, depending on what’s going on. The key is organisation.
As well as lectures and studying I am taking part in YSIS (York Students in Schools). You apply through Careers for a placement and if successful, will be placed in a school (either Primary or Secondary) in a subject area of your choice, to assist the lesson. I do this once a week on a Wednesday afternoon at a school local to my student house, about 20 minutes walk away. I don’t necessarily want to be a teacher, but it’s great to get the experience either to help you decide if you’d like to go into teaching, to keep busy or to pad out your CV a bit.
Sometimes it’s a bit of a challenge to keep everything in balance, and can maybe feel a bit frustrating at times, but I have to remind myself that it will all be worth it in the end. As I write this I currently have 3 assignments on the go. A 3000 word report for my Environmental Systems Project, 1250 word report for Environmental Geochemistry and then 1500 words for GIS (Geographical Information Systems). But it’s fine, because after that we have Christmas. A time to relax, eat and be mer- no, a time to write a 1250 report for Ecosystem Processes and revise for the Food, Space, Culture and Society module.
I think tonight I’ll relax by lighting a few candles, reading a book whilst listening to Adele’s new album…
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