What I learned in my first year at University, part 2.
Alright?
Good to hear.
It's been a week, and I'm back look, writing again, for you. Aren't I good?
I hope you enjoyed last weeks post, because we're going to carry on this week. Please do bear with me, I'm slowly trying to break myself into the habit of updating this website on a more regular basis. I figure if I can get something up once a week I can slowly start doubling that. And so on. But anyway, let's get to it.
So last week I wrote a little about my experiences getting settled into university life. I've had a good think about what I'll talk about this week, and there are so many different aspects I want to cover, it's really hard to do one without talking about another. So we'll see where it goes!
I remember being told on an open day back in July 2012 that there are so many different opportunities you'll get at uni, and it's entirely up to you to make the most of them. I'll be honest in saying that there were so many more things I could have got involved in. It wasn't really until the last few months that I really got stuck in and starting taking part in things outside of my course. Perhaps the two most mentionable things are A) I now write reviews and other articles for a little online magazine with a few friends and B) I took part in the recording and mixing of some local bands for a collaboration CD, and I'm proud to say that one of the tracks I worked extremely hard on made its way onto the CD. So go me!
That's the thing with uni, we're always told that just getting a degree isn't enough. I don't know how well that translates onto some of the other courses, but particularly in the media field, just having a degree isn't going to get you the job you want. I think I've got my heart set on a composing career, but that could easily change over the next year, even in the next month or so, so if I don't have plenty to back myself up with I may have just spent £27,000 on an education that could get me nowhere. Scary right? So if you want my advice, which has been passed onto me from tutors, other students, etc. - Don't just get a degree, because what's the point if you're going to finish and work in a supermarket? Sure, I might be able to work a mixing desk, but so can thousands of other people all over the country. But can they also write, both musically and creatively, can they speak on a radio station, can they manage a team of people, can they even work with other people? I want to throw myself at so many different things, because one day they're bound to pay off in one way or another. If I just go to my timetabled sessions, and hand in my assessments, sure I might get a good grade, but it's not everything.
I understand that might come across as a bit of a rant, and I really am a little guilty of not taking that advice right away. But the more I think about it, the more I realise I need to expand my involvement.
I guess it takes me back to my point last week, that uni is what you make it. You get three years to do something exciting with you life that if you're not careful you may never get to do again. Now that I'm starting my second year, I've actually realised the importance of it all, because I'm a year down, and I don't have as much to show for it as I'd like.
Whilst we're on the subject of opportunities, perhaps the biggest one of all is to experience somewhere new. Before coming to uni I think I'd probably been to Lincoln maybe twice, and never to actually explore. More in passing, so when we went on an open day back in sixth form, I had a right good look around. I knew I wanted to go to uni, but I had no idea where, and only a vague idea of what to do. And when I came to Lincoln I absolutely fell in love with the place. Now I know I've said when I got here I wasn't sure it was right for me, but it really is. And can you blame me? It's such a beautiful place. There are some places that really aren't appealing, or you just don't feel right being in. But Lincoln, for me feels perfect. It's so perfectly connected with the city, and for someone who isn't from a city, or doesn't visit them regularly, you'd think it'd be a bit of an adjustment. But it isn't. It feels right.
For fear of just repeating myself, I'm going to leave it there for this week. If you have any questions, or if there's anything particular you'd like you know drop me a comment, or an email, or tweet me. I'll get on it as soon as I can.
Thanks for reading!
- Anthony.
Good to hear.
It's been a week, and I'm back look, writing again, for you. Aren't I good?
I hope you enjoyed last weeks post, because we're going to carry on this week. Please do bear with me, I'm slowly trying to break myself into the habit of updating this website on a more regular basis. I figure if I can get something up once a week I can slowly start doubling that. And so on. But anyway, let's get to it.
So last week I wrote a little about my experiences getting settled into university life. I've had a good think about what I'll talk about this week, and there are so many different aspects I want to cover, it's really hard to do one without talking about another. So we'll see where it goes!
I remember being told on an open day back in July 2012 that there are so many different opportunities you'll get at uni, and it's entirely up to you to make the most of them. I'll be honest in saying that there were so many more things I could have got involved in. It wasn't really until the last few months that I really got stuck in and starting taking part in things outside of my course. Perhaps the two most mentionable things are A) I now write reviews and other articles for a little online magazine with a few friends and B) I took part in the recording and mixing of some local bands for a collaboration CD, and I'm proud to say that one of the tracks I worked extremely hard on made its way onto the CD. So go me!
That's the thing with uni, we're always told that just getting a degree isn't enough. I don't know how well that translates onto some of the other courses, but particularly in the media field, just having a degree isn't going to get you the job you want. I think I've got my heart set on a composing career, but that could easily change over the next year, even in the next month or so, so if I don't have plenty to back myself up with I may have just spent £27,000 on an education that could get me nowhere. Scary right? So if you want my advice, which has been passed onto me from tutors, other students, etc. - Don't just get a degree, because what's the point if you're going to finish and work in a supermarket? Sure, I might be able to work a mixing desk, but so can thousands of other people all over the country. But can they also write, both musically and creatively, can they speak on a radio station, can they manage a team of people, can they even work with other people? I want to throw myself at so many different things, because one day they're bound to pay off in one way or another. If I just go to my timetabled sessions, and hand in my assessments, sure I might get a good grade, but it's not everything.
I understand that might come across as a bit of a rant, and I really am a little guilty of not taking that advice right away. But the more I think about it, the more I realise I need to expand my involvement.
I guess it takes me back to my point last week, that uni is what you make it. You get three years to do something exciting with you life that if you're not careful you may never get to do again. Now that I'm starting my second year, I've actually realised the importance of it all, because I'm a year down, and I don't have as much to show for it as I'd like.
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| You really can't plan photos like this. |
For fear of just repeating myself, I'm going to leave it there for this week. If you have any questions, or if there's anything particular you'd like you know drop me a comment, or an email, or tweet me. I'll get on it as soon as I can.
Thanks for reading!
- Anthony.
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