First week back!

The first week back was a mix of introductory lectures for my new modules this term and getting grades back from last term's modules!

I ended up getting a 1st in 5th Century Athens and a 2:1 in Ancient Song which I was really happy about because the lecturer was terrible for it so getting a 2:1 basically off my own back makes me feel incredibly proud. I also got a 2:1 in Practicing Archaeology but I was given that grade last term. I'm happy with those as my first grades of university!

I look back at my posts from last term and I already feel like this term will be better as I've proved to myself that I can do university and I can do it well! A levels obviously just didn't suit me and University does luckily! I just hope the exams go the same way! 

I feel so much more optimistic and I'm going to push myself to do more of the reading as I slacked a lot last term - I only really did the work necessary to pass and didn't do a lot of background reading which will give me a better understanding of the topics. I think it also helped that I'd done the Athens module at A level so I knew the information I needed to get the grades - this term I don't have that help so I'm going to need to work a lot harder to get the same level of grades! I just hope I do it as they're all really interesting subjects!

I'm having to balance University, work and various medical appointments whilst not becoming a complete recluse so it could be difficult to do as much as I want over the next few weeks but hopefully after that, I'll be able to really crack on with working!

I also applied again for halls next year so I'm going to actually have somewhere to live which is exciting! I'm going to be sharing with one of my flatmates from this year which is nice as we get on really well.

Jess xx

The University Chronicles: My First Offer!

After returning from college today, I had my second driving lesson of this week. It went amazingly well and it feels like driving is starting to click into place, my teacher said it was my best drive yet! At the end when we were going to organise my next lessons, I saw that I had a few emails. I had a quick look and there it was, an email from UCAS track. I didn't know what it was, from which uni, if it was a rejection or offer but I still shrieked a little and had to check. My hands were shaking as I logged in and I was so excited when I saw that I had received an offer to study at Cardiff next year for BBB!!! I probably terrified my driving instructor as I proceeded to laugh, shriek and jump about in my seat for the next few minutes because I was so happy. My first offer is also my first choice! 

I've been smiling ever since I found out and I'm really happy that at least one of my Uni choices like me enough to give me a place next year if I get the grades! 

I don't mind what happens with my other choices now as I have my first choice and an interview next month which I'm feeling more confident about now! If I get any more offers then I will be incredibly pleased but I won't be overly disappointed if I get rejected from some of the others. As long as I have another offer for my second choice then I am completely happy with myself as I will know I'm good enough for two of my chosen Universities!

I just have to work incredibly hard to get my Bs now!

Jess xx

Worry.

I am underestimating the amount of work I have to do for my lessons and personal statement. I keep trundling along, just doing the pieces of work I've been given in my lessons, but not doing anything else to improve the amount of stuff I can write about in my personal statement. I also need to do more of the actual personal statement come to think of it! 

There is very little happening in my life apart from college work and preparing for Uni currently and I'm worried because I don't seem to understand the sheer enormity of the workload I already have, three weeks in to the first term of college. I could be doing so much more than what I am so I think I'm going to try and work harder and for longer by using my frees at college properly so I can use my time at home to focus on my personal statement and things to go towards it. 

Hopefully I can stick to my plan and get more done, but this also means that I probably won't be posting as regularly after this month which is a shame! This year is completely focussed on my A levels and everything else is having to be put second.

Jess xx

Moving on.

I've been so busy sorting out various things for Uni and it's been a really hectic week! 

I've been talking to my teachers and I'm now predicted BBB after my AS results which I'm quite happy about to be honest! It means that I'm more likely to get lower offers from Uni so I will be able to get in to the Unis I really like! I think BBB is more realistic than AAB for me and it's still good enough which makes me happy! It takes a bit more pressure off me so I have realistic goals, not unachievable ones. 

I've also sorted out two lectures at Roehampton Uni over the next couple of months which I'm really excited about! They relate to my Classics course so it'll be great for my exams too! 

I'm starting my Young Leader and Adult Leader qualifications with my Brownie group over this term as well so I'm quite excited that I'll get to do this before I leave next year - it's a great thing to put on my personal statement and CV so I'm excited!

I also found out that I can talk about my blog on my personal statement so I'm happy that I will get to use this for something finally!

Jess xx

A Ray of Sunshine.

I got the best news today and it's made me happier than I've been for quite a while about my general school stuff! 

I've been sure that I was predicted BBB since I started college but after tutor time today, I spoke to my teacher about my Uni choices and predicted grades, and it turns out that I'm actually predicted AAB!!! I was so shocked and happy because these grades mean that I have more of a chance of getting offers from most of my Uni choices! 

I've been quite worried about not getting any offers so I'm really excited that if my personal statement goes well, I actually have a chance! My top three are Cardiff, Reading and Exeter so I should hopefully get the offers from them because their grades are lower which is great! 

It's put me in such a good mood and it's inspired me to work even harder this year so I can achieve these grades! 

Jess xx

One Way, or Another.

As we enter our final year of mandatory school life, my year group has to start choosing our next steps in life, whether they lead us to University, an apprenticeship, a job or something else. 

Now I've had my grades back for this year, I've had to face the rather tough reality of the possibility of not reaching the grades I need to be accepted into the course I have been wanting to do for the last four years. This means looking at other options. On one hand, I love all things ancient and classical, and want to go on to do Archaeology and Ancient history (who's childhood dream wasn't to crawl around in the mud and dig for things for their whole lives?!) somewhere with a good reputation and teaching. However, on the other hand, I'm an Internet-savvy blogger who spends quite a lot of time (okay...most of my time) on the Internet, whether it be for social networking, research about yet another scrap of information I've found interesting and want to investigate, or doing something as simple as checking emails or reading the news. I forgot my phone on a day out on Sunday and I felt so lost, I kept checking my bag to see if it had magically turned up but sadly it hadn't and I felt like there was an odd space in my brain...and hand. With all of this in mind, my second (back up, if you will) choice of Uni course would be journalism of some kind, preferably Fashion journalism though. (One of the courses I've researched said I'm the description that all media should be understood, including Twitter! Perfect for me!) It looks so interesting and would incorporate the other side of my life which is equally important to me as the classical side of my life.

I really really love both things, modern and ancient, and in an ideal world I'll manage to get a weekly or monthly column for a paper or magazine whilst working on fieldwork or in a museum somewhere. My idea of heaven. But before I get anywhere near that, I'm going to have to pass this year and get on to one of my preferred Archaeology and Ancient history courses so I can progress how I want to. 

I'm going to have to work my arse off if I'm going to achieve my goals, but eventually I'll make it if I'm resilient enough and try my absolute hardest. If my hardest gets me Bs, great and I'll be super excited because come September, I'll head off to Uni to do Archaeology and Ancient history! However, if it gets me Cs, then look out Fashion journalism! 

Jess xx