Cheer!

So we’ve just come back from our University Nationals competition, and I’m really pleased with how it all went. I was part of UGM Navy, which is a co-ed level one squad, and we came third in our division. It’s really odd knowing that competition is done, but we are already working on stunts for next time, so watch out :)

I even flew a prep! 

Anyways, that’s more than enough rambling from me – I’ll post again shortly once I have more photos, and will most likely make a separate post for comp, just because so much happened :’)

Ciao ciao! 

Missing in action – again

Hi Guys!

So you may have noticed that I’ve not been blogging for a little while now – third year has seriously taken up a lot more of my time than anticipated and coupled with competition, studio time and work, sleep has been out of the question, let alone blogging. But I’ve got myself together, and I’m ready to get back into blogging. Fun fact of the day – blogging is good for you! “Research shows that it improves memory and sleep, boosts immune cell activity and …speeds healing after surgery” (Scientific American, 2008). Plus all the street cred you get from it.

So, what’s been going on, I hear you ask? Well, you’ve missed a great deal! My dissertation is ahead of schedule (surprisingly) and all the data is in – just a matter of assembling the thing now =|

I’ve had my first (and last) batch of exams for this year, so no more exams for me for the rest of my degree. Which is a little terrifying, as teaching has nearly finished too. It’s all starting to get quite real that my degree is pretty much over – I’ve just got to keep motivated for this last bit. 

Ouch.

So third year is officially in full swing.

My modules have all started, and I’m happy to say I got all of the ones that I wanted for term one and term two! Yay! So in term one I am studying Human Performance in Organisations, Social Forensic Psychology, and Social Psychology 3: Current Social Issues. Coupled with my dissertation work that sounds like a lot, but I really don’t mind when it is all work that I really enjoy doing.

My dissertation is going better than expected – if you’d asked me in first year how I thought that was going to go, I wouldn’t have been able to give a coherent answer, but now everything is starting to pan out (Thanks, supervisor!). Just tying together the last of my ethics work ready to submit, and if the research committee give it the thumbs up, then away I go with data collection! 

                                                                    

Of course, now that the academic year is back in full swing, so are sports and societies. Getting back into Judo and Cheer has been sore after a summer away from it, and needless to say I’m sitting at my desk whimpering and complaining about having sore legs. And shoulders.  And arms. And core. And pretty much everything that can be sore. But it is totally worth it. Anyway, swapping between my normal clothes, work clothes, my Gi and my cheer gear makes me feel kind superhero-ish, up until I waddle into work on a Wednesday after cheer – never been so thankful for the lack of stairs on my journey to work. Or my hot water bottle.

Summer

Back in the UK. Back in London. Back to Business.

So I’ve been back in the UK for a little while now, and the end of the summer is rolling around. Sorry for the lack of contact – been rushed off my feet!

I’ve been working as part of the clearing team for the University of Greenwich again, and honestly it has been such a laugh. Speaking to so many people that attend the same university is great, especially when they all study completely different subjects on completely different campuses. It gives a great chance to be able to meet people I wouldn’t have ordinarily met.

Then there are all the callers, chatters, emailers, tweeters and facebookers that I’ve encountered this summer. So many enquirers from all parts of the world, wanting to know a wide variety of things – from how to apply and when to register to what it is really like to be a student here. I’m lucky in that I’ve lived on campus for the last two years, going on nights out at the Students’ Union and being in a few societies, so I’ve been in the thick of all the action, really. So if people do ask the fateful question ‘What is it like to be a student at Greenwich?’ I can really call upon my experience, and the experience of my colleagues to give a real representation of student life here.

Time to begin year three, I guess! Can totally hear the fear in my voice when I say that, but I’m as ready now as I’ll ever be. Had more than enough hiccups in the last 23 years – If I can deal with those then there is nothing to stop me doing well this year.

Anyhow, I’ve got dissertation research to carry on with, and pictures of Avery Hill to get nostalgic over before the start of third year. Bring it on! 

No place like home

Hiyaaaa J

So I’ve not long gotten back from Italy (see my previous blog post) and I loved every second of it!
Sun, travel and teaching! After a great deal of coursework, stressing, sunburn and language barriers, I can now say I have my Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.  So proud of it, and so proud of my class for all working so hard during my time there. Hopefully seeing them next year though!

Of course, it wasn’t all work and no play J

Got to see a lot of the scenery out there, and even had a chance to hit the beach in Viareggio – complete with a surprise visit from the other half!

(Well done us for finding the energy to climb the Duomo – awkwardly the least knackering part of my time in Italy).

Out of all of my time there though, the photo above has to be my favourite. It was taken on a day when I took my class out for an afternoon, to explore south of the river – and I had set them the task of speaking English to each other all afternoon while I attempted Italian. I learned that my Italian seriously needs improving, but the Ponte Vecchio is pretty!

CTEFL – Starting the adventure!

Hi Guys!

So I’ve arrived safely after a long day of travelling. After leaving at 4.30 in the morning, getting to Heathrow, two flights and a short taxi ride, I’m here in my apartment in Florence! The flight from Rome to Florence has to be one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, though, so it was definitely worth it. It’s a shame that the flight with the prettiest views was the shortest – the flight was allocated 1 hour, and we got from Rome to Florence in 20 minutes ><

I’ve spent the remainder of my day exploring and meeting my classmates – they’re all lovely, and also a little surprised as I’m the only Brit there. The other 11 people in my class are all from the USA, so they’re having a whale of a time with my accent. Luckily a couple of them speak pretty decent Italian, so we aren’t likely to starve while we are out here. Always a bonus. Although after spending the entire day hearing and seeing the language, along with experiencing the country for the first time, my (very) broken Italian is starting to come back! Hurrah! I managed to ask a lady for directions to the school from my apartment, which I was really pleased about as she understood me. In hindsight, it would have helped if I had thought before I asked, as I didn’t understand a word of the response.

 ‘Grazie’. *Hides around the corner and checks Google Maps*.

Also, the apartment is about a ten minute walk from Duomo di Firenze, which is amazing. I don’t think I've ever seen such beautiful architecture. Purely the fact that I've noticed it is a pretty good sign, as normally I don’t really notice that sort of thing, especially when I’m in a foreign country on my own without being able to speak the language and not knowing anyone. It all sounds pretty terrifying, but I reckon it’ll be a great way to find out more about other cultures and new experiences, along with being able to show myself that I can do this sort of thing.

I really can’t get over how much bustle and life the city has – or how friendly everyone is! I've struggled with my Italian a couple of times, and the people I have met up to now seem eager to help me learn, which is fantastic. A quick exasperated look and saying the word in English has caused a few giggles so far when going shopping, however, the giggles have been followed by a polite smile and being told the word in Italian, which seems to be helping it stick.

After a bit of administrative juggling, I’ve been switched across to the intensive programme, giving me a little more time to explore when I finish, which should be nice. Managed to alter my flight too, so direct from Pisa to Stansted, so even more exploring for me! 

Anyways, end of the first day and I already have homework to do – must dash.

Arrivederci!

Birmz - Part two

Eyup ducks!

So the adventures in Birmingham have begun. I took the flatmates and the boyfriend up to The Bullring – The shopping centre in town. Their reaction to how much cheaper stuff is in The Midlands was priceless. Also took them to a real Krispy Kreme place, complete with donut-producing conveyor belt and free donuts while you’re queuing. They were literally astounded, and it was beautiful.

We ended up going to a 90’s night last night at one of my old haunts, and it was literally like I’d never been away. We met up with my best friend from school, who is a fully-fledged grown up nowadays, as much as she won’t admit it :P. Naturally my parents were chatting with her for a while before moving onto the university lot. I’d sort of forgotten how much my dad could talk until we all got back to the house.

The 90’s night was an absolute blast. The nightclub was even better than I remember, and I've had the task of finding the least incriminating photo from that night out to put on here…

…and this was the best I could do. So lots of laughs were had, and the taxi driver who was taking us home took great pleasure in humiliating me. After stating that the song ‘Timber’ by Ke$ha is a bit of a life-ruiner (I have a habit of dancing awfully every time that song comes on, regardless of the situation), he decided that he had it on a CD in the car – so naturally I was trying to dance while cooped up in the back seat of a cab. I’m more of a dancing podium kind of guy, but you have to work with what you’re given I guess!

Anyways, I’m off to make a 1pm breakfast. The others are still all asleep somewhere in the house, so I probably should make some sort of attempt at finding them haha.

Ciao for now!

Birmz – Part one!

Eyup, me lovelies J

So this week, as it’s Easter and all, the flatmates, the boyfriend and I are headed to Birmingham for an adventure – figure I should  go with them, so they have a native there! 

Source: www.baus.org.uk

We arrived this morning, just about in one piece, and are literally all fighting to stay awake so we can go to a cocktail bar later on this evening. Not that I’m one to turn down a cocktail, but I do love my sleep :P.

A couple of them crashed at my flat last night, and even though we set countless alarms, we still had to dash out of the flat at the last minute! If that isn’t proof that I’m not a morning person then I don’t know what is!

So one two trains, a tube and 2 buses later, we are casually all sitting in my house doing a big slice of nothing, and it’s delightful. Even managed to get all of my work done before I left so I actually have this week to myself, which is delightful. Literally, funnily enough, as everyone else seems to have fallen asleep. Poor little tykes are all tuckered out haha.

Rather exciting week planned though! Due to be going out tomorrow night with some of my friends from school for a reminiscence session, that’ll be odd. Then typical touristy stuff, including, but not limited to a trip into Stratford-Upon-Avon (May as well try and get some culture in between the sleep and adventure haha) – plus the butterfly farm, and Drayton Manor which should be great. Expect loads of photos, including shameless group selfies.

Anyways, I really should wake this lot up – no sleep on tour!

Ciao!

Flawless

I woke up like this.

Eyup, Chicks J

Well, it has all been going on since my last blog post! I’ve managed to (sort of) wrangle my way onto the cheer squad (http://www.suug.co.uk/sports/cheerleading/) –both delightful and exhausting in equal measure. Despite the preconception of cheer (pompoms and squealing) it is literally one of the most intensive and exhausting things I’ve ever done. EVER. Oh, and no pom poms for me!

I also had all the fun of going to see Beyoncé! She was AMAZING, as expected – and after showing the photos to my other half, he was geeking out about how good the lighting was. Typical performing arts student.  So going to see Queen B left me with a croaky voice for a few days, which did not come in useful during student elections week >.<

Speaking of, my short-lived foray into the world of politics has happened since my last interweb-rant. I ran for the role of LGBT+ officer, a new role in the Students’ Union this year, and while I wasn’t successful, I learned a lot more from the experience than I thought I would, along with meeting an awful lot of new people through it too. No regrets!

Of course, I’m doing all of this around my degree. Sort of the reason I’m here, after all :’)

I’ve been given my exam timetable for this year, and to be honest it isn’t looking too bad! Three exams, and I’m feeling pretty confident about them – one in Statistics, one in Individual Difference and Abnormality, and one in Developmental and Social Psychology. While I’m confident about the material, I’m hoping that I won’t have to look too much into development again. Bah.

Anyways, that is more than enough ranting and more than enough with the selfies for one blog post. I’ll keep you in the loop with my goings on – keep an eye out for more posts!

Ciao!

My Single!

Eyup, Chicks J

So, it has been a rather exciting couple of weeks – hence the lack of blogs lately. Sorry guys! ><

So Italy is all confirmed, deposit is down, and accommodation and flights are sorted. Light change of plan though, I’m now being shipped off to Florence rather than Rome, which I’m rather pleased about. Honestly, I’m pretty chuffed, just because I feel like I’ll get more of a real experience of the place in somewhere not quite as touristy. Bring on the adventure!

Also, since the last blog, birthday adventures have happened! Having hit the ripe old age of 23, birthday celebrations happened in the form of a night out in SoHo with the best friends and my partner – what a night that was :’)

*tries to find least incriminating photo*

The single came out, too! Apparently now I exist outside of this blog and Tumblr;

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/gavin-may/id815807781

https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Gavin_May_Goodbye_to_You?id=Bfyd76lzu3he3zmaag66pjed7gq

…way too odd…

My course is going really well too, so serious business for that. We have just started getting marks back for our biology and statistics assignments – upper second in both, so it could be worse. Got plenty of exam prep to do for developmental and social psychology, too. As we’ve got all of the coursework done it is just a case of trying to learn all the material as best we can for the end of the year *eek*.

Doing really well at not hibernating, too, so well done me! The new Final Fantasy game came out last week, and ordinarily I would be indoors hibernating with coffee and the Xbox by now. Although I have warned my friends that if they come to mine, conversation will not happen if the Xbox is on. Nobody interrupts my FF time! 

CELTA, Singles, and UCAS

Eyup ducks! J

So, term two has started! Feels really odd being back, but I’m not complaining. After spending most of last month eating faaaaaar too many Christmas dinners, it is great to be back in the office living off of snacks ^_^

So, down to business. I’ve gotten around to submitting my essays for Individual Difference and Abnormality & Brain, Behaviour and Cognition. Took a good while for me to get my head around them but it all just sort of seemed to click when I started writing it all out. That’s the funny thing about psychology, if you overthink it, it just sort of stops making any sort of sense xD

Oh, before I forget! All the excitement of being a student at the University of Greenwich could still be yours! Applications really should be in by the 15^th of January, especially if you’re looking to do one of our more popular courses such as Primary Education or Nursing.  If you have any questions about the application process, or even questions about what it is like to be a student here, the University of Greenwich website has a LiveChat service, and people on there are always happy to talk about their experiences, from application to student life.

As much as I complain about how quiet my holiday was, lots of exciting things did happen. I got my place confirmed for my Cambridge CELTA course, so I will be in Italy for the entirety of June teaching English. Literally buzzing about it, to be honest, as it’s something I’ve wanted to do for years! Four weeks in Rome teaching English, it’ll definitely be an experience!

Now for a completely shameless plug. As I’ve said in previous posts, I used to be in a choir back at home, the CBSO Young Voices. It turns out that once the music bug has got you, that’s it – and it still has. I’m going into a recording studio on the 8^th of January to record my first single! So if you fancy having a listen/giggle at what that will turn out like, it is due for release on the 11^th of February on iTunes/Amazon/Xbox music/some other contraptions that I don’t know how to work. (Y)

Anyways, that’s more than enough gloating for one blog post, I reckon. Now, back to earth with a bump – statistics coursework awaits!

Ciao for now xx

The CBSO Young Voices

Hi Guys!

Sorry about the lack of blogging lately. Things have been quite rocky lately and I really haven’t had chance to keep you all updated – still, just got to grit your teeth and get on sometimes.

So I’ve started getting my marks back from my essays (dread). Considering I hadn’t written academically since my exams back in May, I was quite surprised to see 68% appearing on my essay. Hurrah! Here’s hoping I get back into a stride and start getting my firsts now =]

On a side note, plenty of commuting the next couple of weeks! My old youth chorus, The CBSO Young Voices, have asked the alumni to come back for the Christmas Concerts in Symphony Hall, and honestly this couldn’t have come at a better time. Really needed something like this as a ‘pick-me-up’.

I have one more portfolio to hand in before going home for Christmas, and it is on Development – works out to 2500 words. I don’t think I’ve ever written so much about child psychology, but once the Christmas holidays are done we move on to social psychology. Much more my cup of tea.

Anyways, that is enough rambling – now to finish this portfolio!

Ciao for now x

Sports, Stats and Social Psychology

Eyup :)

So, by the looks of things, second year has really kicked in. I've submitted my first essay of the year (the evolution of intelligence) and my first lab report. It’s amazing how fast I've forgotten how to use SPSS over the summer, but I’m quite surprised at how readily I've picked it up again.

We've had our portfolio work assigned for two modules, Developmental & Social Psychology and Individual Difference. As it turns out, they are both asking for a couple of shorter essays (500 words) and a CV. A couple of us have started going to the library at the same time each week so we can get it done – and to be honest I’m enjoying the work in developmental a great deal more than I thought I would. We’re doing all sorts of stuff, from how babies respond to monkey calls to adolescence.

While I am going on fewer nights out because of the work, I have made an effort to get involved in societies! As I’ve said before, I’m an active member of LGBT, so lots of socials and society meetings for that. I’m branching out into sports though, which isn't like me! This week I've joined the Judo Society (http://www.suug.co.uk/sports/judo/), so I will be donning my Gi and getting back onto the mat after a couple of years out. Back to white belt for me!

On a side note, we have an Open Day coming up! It’s on Saturday 23^rd of November, and is across all three campuses. There will be staff on hand to talk to about course options, campus and accommodation tours, and plenty of current students (including me!) to talk to about what life is like here.  So if you get the chance, feel free to book a place on the Open Day online, or pop down on the day.

Ciao for now! 

Spaghetti Western in the West End

Hi Guys – just checking in again!

Over the last week I've had a couple of changes of heart. However, they are all about my costume for Thursday night, along with where we all plan to end up. So If you happen to see a cowboy wandering around the West End, chances are it’ll be me J - might be my last night of letting my hair down for this week, as it looks like I’m going to be a busy bee over the next couple of weeks. Had a couple of essays and a lab report assigned, and due in November, so it feels a bit like second year is really kicking in.

On the plus side, not going out as much will give me chance to save for my next holiday! I've managed to pester my partner and my flatmates into heading to Italy with me – just got to sort out a short space of time where we are all free, which will be the most difficult part. Then off on a European adventure. I've wanted to see parts of Italy for as far back as I can remember, and seeing it with some of my best mates here can only improve the situation.

On an unrelated note, I’m still getting used to this blogging thing. Turns out that I can talk a lot more than I thought though (I’m sure my flatmates would agree with that…). So as I was new to it, I thought it would be a wise idea to look at some other blogs so I could get an idea of what to write. Three hours later, and I was sifting through Mean Girls GIFs on Tumblr. Oops!

Adventure Time!

So, second year has started, and it sort of feels like I haven’t been away (but in the good way!). I've decided that this year I’m going to get more involved, as I didn't do as much as I could have last year...awkward. So I’m looking into volunteer placements at the moment, and I've joined the LGBT society (http://www.suug.co.uk/organisation/LGBT/). Busy times!

Anyways, it’s nearly Halloween – always a fun time to be at university, and always a fun time to live in London, as there is so much going on! The kitchen has been decorated, and my flatmates and I are starting to talk about what we want to do, finally! Looks as though we are doing standard Halloween and either going to Sparrows in onesies, or venturing into Central London for the evening, so that should be a laugh. However, I've come to the conclusion that I am far too short to get away with a scary costume, unless I dress as a doll or something, so I may well be going out as Finn from Adventure Time (see, the title makes sense now!) or Ash from Pokémon, which is always a solid choice.

So, on to work. This year the modules on my course seem much more specific. I’m studying Developmental and Social Psychology, Individual Difference, Research Methods and Brain, Behaviour and Cognition. All sounds pretty scary, but as long as I keep focused on it I’m sure I’ll be alright. The seminars seem much more discussion based than last year, which I’m rather enjoying. I've also gotten to know a fair few people in each seminar group over the last year, so I’m getting more and more confident at this talking in front of people thing!

So, all in all I’m enjoying every aspect of the year so far and assuming I stay focused, I should do well…

… assuming I don’t get distracted by the new episodes of Made in Chelsea. Drama!