Epilogue

I have decided it's about time to stop putting it off and say:

I miss Lancaster. Terribly.

It shouldn't be surprising to read, especially to anyone who has been following my blog, but I still think it needed to be said.

But before I get to all of the weepy stuff, I'll write a few useful things down. Specifically, those things that international students reading this may not think about close to move out time, and things that are just useful to know that I have learned from my last little while at Lancaster.

First up, to those who decided to leave on move out day, give yourself as much time as possible to clean up your room and, if you are the last in your flat/space/hall, communal areas like the kitchen. Between me and another person, it took us a solid 4 days to get a years worth of living space cleaned, packed and otherwise put right. Room checkers will be at your door at 10am on the day as well, so don't count on them being late. We also saw people moving in on the day we were moving out! Tons of em too. So it's not like they have the time to wait for you.

Second, spend lots of time with your friends that you have made. Invite them over for a film, dinner, drinks, or even just to hang and do nothing. It will give you no excuses when the inevitable, "I could have spent more time with ___" comes to the forefront of your mind when you get back to your respective country. I'm certainly glad that I rarely had a moment in the last week of residence at Lancaster that I didn't see or wasn't spending time with my closest friends doing all sorts of things. Barbecues, beach volleyball, frisbee, teaching the art of the American football tackle and throw. These are things that made the last of the time that I had at Lancaster truly wonderful. Of course, as with anything that involves staying outdoors in England, it is weather permitting! ;-)

Third, if you are eager to get your results (like me), you won't know until they send them to your home university. They say this in an e-mail that is sent out regarding exam results, but if you skim things like that, you might miss that little detail. Doesn't stop it from being frustrating when you see all of your uni mates getting theirs and reporting them on Facebook...

Fourth, don't waste a sunny day. Pretty basic, but seriously, they really do make Lancaster light up.

Fifth, go to the extravs. Especially the last one, wherever it is. Make sure to get up early to get those tickets, otherwise they can quadruple in price should you try and get them later from someone selling theirs.

Right, I think that more or less covers that for now, I am sure that I have missed something out, but I'll make sure to update if I think of something I missed!

OK. Shout outs. Rants and Raves. Whatever you want to call them. Let's name some names.

Study abroad folk: From UMaine - Orlina Boteva and Susan Landry. From Lancaster - Nicky Rastall. You all are amazing. Prompt replies when I needed them, and always sound advice that never left me confused or wanting for more. Big props.

Lecturers and academic staff - WAY too many to name, but just a few mentions. Dr. Sam Clark (in contention for the title of "the most intellectually intimidating person I have ever met"), Dr. Cain Todd, Dr. Mari Mikkola, Dr. Padraic Monaghan (get him some cake), and Prof. Susan Condor (to budding psychologists, no bullshit goes past this woman). If you should get the opportunity to be taught by these people, they come highly recommended from me.

County College. No other place I would recommend for a college residence. Best porters. Best reps. Simply the best.

Rants, luckily, are few and far between. But I do have a couple:

1. Coursework vs. Exams. I found it slightly unnerving (as did some unnamed professors), that so much of your total grade for the year comes from exams. Even in research-centered fields like psychology and philosophy. To have so much riding on one piece of work that is timed in an artificial environment seems wrong to me, but that doesn't say as much about the university as it does the politics that govern them.

2. Study abroad going the other way. While I was at Lancaster, I had two friends that I had made that were planning on taking a cue from me and my girlfriend and go abroad to America for their second year of uni. One, was going to UMaine, the other, to UNH. These two people, I concluded, would much benefit from a year in the states, being the types of characters they are. Bright, curious, and willing to make the jump and commit to its responsibilities. Unfortunately, they were unable to meet the academic standards necessary to participate in the direct exchange program (one had near perfect coursework marks and the other was consistently high in theirs, both, though they both revised properly [I was an eyewitness to that]) did mediocre in their exams, for which I would see the above point). When I found out what those standards were, I compared them with those that I had to meet while in the states. Maybe it's just the type of tests that the standards are based, but I found them to be much more unforgiving than those that I had needed to satisfy. If there is anything that I have learned while I was in Lancaster, it was that the experience of the culture as a student was rich beyond measure, and that, above all else, would be what I truly took back with me. I may have a slightly biased perspective, but from my standpoint, I saw two students who truly cared about their education and broadening their horizons, denied a chance to do the latter because of a bar that, in my opinion, was not where it should have been. On that note, I praise the system at UMaine, because of the way it gives appropriate opportunities to those who deserve it. This is in no way a criticism of the education at Lancaster, but only of the inequality between the two program's standards of acceptance.

And that, is all I really have for negatives.

To end on a positive. Lancaster was all I had wished for, and more. They taught me to to stop copying what the lecturers are telling me and start applying my own ideas and curiosities about the topics. To use the knowledge that I have amassed from previous years and begin connecting the dots, deciding what's relevant, and especially in the philosophy dept., what isn't. It gave me great friends that I will have for a lifetime, and plenty of photos and memories to carry back with me. I now hold myself to a new standard of excellence, and if that isn't a success, then I don't know what is.

Time for Intermission

Whoa. What a term.

Exams are officially over for me, and I guess all I really have to say is... GOOD RIDDANCE!

Don't get me wrong, I love university/college/school (yeah, I'm one of those people), but damn. If those weren't the most labour intensive revision (study) sessions that I have ever had. Spending weeks at a time going over things you thought you knew, and even still you feel like you need to do more. The atmosphere in the library, the learning zone, even the bars, makes you feel like you have been inadequately preparing. So, what is one to do when someone comes up to you professing their faux-fears for their upcoming exam in hopes to find some comfort if you appear to have studied less?

Two words. Method Acting.

Not kidding folks.

If there is one thing that I have learned from the studying techniques here, it is that it is better to fake your confidence than to be humble about your knowledge. It sounds a little backwards at first, even a little mean, but trust me, there is some truth to the silly sounding phrase, "Think it. Be it".

Don't just take my word for it either, ever ready with the psychological evidence, check these facts out.

1. Acting confident, even if you aren't, will help better your chances of ingesting knowledge from your revision sessions better. Why? Smiling, laughing, generally being in a good mood release helpful chemicals into your system that keep you more alert and attentive to what you are trying to remember or learn. Even if you are faking it.

2. Chances are, people will be more likely to ask you a question if you appear confident, or bring up a worry about a part of the exam that they are shaky on. Teaching, or explaining to them will only help yourself.

3. The day of your exam, if you have been studying with a group, meet up a couple of hours prior to the exam if possible (obviously I am not advocating waking up at 6am if you have a 9:30am exam). Not so much to go over new things, but to polish knowledge and most importantly, pep talks. Pep talks are not just for the huddles kids. Even something as simple as complementing each other on the progress you have made will go miles in combating pre-exam stomach butterflies. Something I, personally, have a lot of trouble with.

Note: There does have to be something behind your collected swagger! Being outwardly confident about your knowledge to ward off unneeded doubt is one thing, but talk with no walk is another.

With that said. I can leave the talk of exams in the dust. Further queries can be directed in the form of comments or emails. Honest answers always promised ;-)

In other happenings, LANCASTER IS GORGEOUS RIGHT NOW. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right for BBQs, frisbee, football, and generally lazing about the campus. I will admit, as a native Floridian, calling 70 degrees hot feels slightly blasphemous to me, but it really is great to experience a 'pleasant' summer weather pattern. Make sure, if you are here, to take advantage of the grassy area right in front of campus that offers spectacular opportunity to escape and take in some R&R. I have included pictures of said area, taken today. More to come later.

After exam celebrations have been somewhat postponed until after my fellow flatmates finish their exams... Gives me some time to myself though to do some lazy leisure stuff before that crazyness abounds into my life.

I think that's about it for now, if I think of anything else in the next couple of days, I have plenty of time to jot it down now! Later.

Wouldn't even think you were at uni, would you?

Strategic Maneuvers

What's that the Beatles used to say? Ah yes, "It's getting better all the time"

Half way through the exam term and I'm beginning to see the light. Thanks to some advice from Cognitive Psychology on how to prepare for an essay type exam (MIND MAPPING or Schematizing), I'm feeling a bit more confident in my abilities to tackle the exam system here. I figured I would share some with you.

ONE: As previously mentioned, start your revision process as early as you can. By keeping constant focus for about a week on the topics that you are considering tackling, you have much more of a chance of writing a meaningful, yet well organized essay free of literary throat-clearing (cutting to the chase is a valued skill here).

TWO: Decide what kind of revision style suits you best if you haven't already. Are you more of the receptive type, pupil of the overachiever in your group? Or are you the more diligent, teach-others-to-teach-yourself kind of person? Either way, both methods are effective in their own ways and I personally have found them to be quite useful.

THREE: Revise with others. Obviously there are some who prefer to fly solo, but in cases like study abroad students, there will be cases when you have missed a lecture to recover from some drinking related incident, and if that one happens to be in the topic you are thinking of answering a question on, you will want someone there who might be able to fill in the gaps so to speak.

The last one for now:

FOUR: This is revision and exam period for a reason. Use it and use it wisely. Many of your friends that you will have made here will not have the same schedule as you and will want to go out on nights that you really should be getting some sleep. Don't learn the hard way that your loss at beer pong last night was really not the best pre-exam strategy. They are different than they are in the states. Do not take your previous exam experience there to count for anything.

Sadly, not much to report on other than that this time around. The colleges on campus are getting rev'ed up for Extrav week (kind of like freshers week, except as an ender to the year) with all of the flyers and posters going up all over the shop. Make sure as well that if you have some time, or needing to blow off some steam, that your college is still hosting many a social event to take part in such as open mics, karaoke, quizzes and the like for you to take part in, and it's usually free!

Anyway, it's back to the grind for me. Over and out until the last exam!

Take a deep breath...

Week 2 Summer term.

I can't recall if I mentioned this before, but I live in a flat full of first years. Which is great, because in your time here, first years are some of the best kind of friends you can have. They aren't jaded by the university experience yet, they are vibrant, interesting, and coping, much the same as study abroad students are.

However, I do have one peeve. They have no exams till June.

I just got finished taking my second exam here. I hesitated to write about the experience of the first because I thought it might be useful to see if the second would lend itself to the same feeling. Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

First of all, the pre-exam tension before you head in is killer. If you weren't nervous before, you certainly will be now.

People will tell you that everyone revises in their own way and that there is no "best way" to revise. These people are in denial. If you must procrastinate, make sure that you leave yourself at least a week to revise the lectures before the exam. I'm not going to tell you that any less and you aren't applying yourself, because you will have gathered that by this point. What is especially relevant to those who haven't exactly been proactive at studying for the exams is that if you haven't looked at the materials from each section of the course for at least a few minutes of every day, then your stress will be exponentially higher than need be. 10 minutes every day people. THAT'S ALL. Save yourself some truly embarrassing stress. Take it from me, I'm a psychologist.

Referencing the above, to help you even more, find a friend who is willing to learn passively, and explain to them the answer to previous exam questions. Explaining in this way to someone who likely has no idea what you are talking about and making it sound interesting demonstrates knowledge and understanding. Contrary to popular belief, the former is not enough to get you through one of these exams.

DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED. I was sitting next to this one girl who had decided to write the word count equivalent of Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment'. Necessary? Absolutely not. You are meant to be exhibiting knowledge and understanding of the question being asked. Not perform what lectures call "knowledge dump". These people have lives to lead. Show some respect. The point is, don't take that as a sign that if you don't fluff up your mere 2 pages it's going to get a bad mark. As long as it is all concise, relevant, and answers the question, you are done.


Drink plenty of water the day or two leading up to the exam. You are 70% of it. You will need every bit of yourself for these things.


Basically, here's the point of these bits of advise. Exams here are NOT like they are in the States. They are vastly more intense, require more understanding of the material, can be on classes you took months ago, and require you to have done at least some revision. You absolutely cannot walk in without having been to a lecture and expect to pass the class. The exams count for 50% of your grade. That simple.


In other news, the weather is becoming exceedingly gorgeous and everything is in bloom or starting to flower. One of the most beautiful things I have seen here is the countryside in last few days. Take some time to yourself and walk to town from the university. It's a good hour, but a great show in local beauty.


More to report soon. Postings will be sparse for a little while due to much studying and less outing.

Way on down south London town.

You know those contests that you sometimes see advertised if you follow your favorite band or celebrity on Facebook, MySpace or Twitter? Most of us pass by them, right? I mean, who wins those things anyway?

Well, I won one.

VIP passes to Bullet for my Valentine's latest CD release in London's SoHo district.

One problem.

It was in two days, and I had to find a way to reason spending £50 (df= one weeks living expenses) on the train ticket, plus necessary expenses for one day and nights accommodation.

After little debate however (I mean, how often does this chance come?), I was on my way to the capital, with girlfriend in tow.

Having not visited the city since December of 2001, I was truly excited to see how my perspectives of it, now somewhat weathered by knowledge and time, would be during this brief and intense return. Not to be trumped, London didn't disappoint. With more culturally cool things to do than you could name in a day, we had no shortage of things to see and do within the budget of £0. Obviously, having a London newbie in my company, the need to see the essentials was necessary. From Euston, walked to the West End, the Palace, St. James's Park, houses of Parliament, Waterloo Bridge, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery (great collection of Renaissance and impressionist art), and finally Piccadilly en route back to the hostel in Camden town. Total time: 4 1/2 hours. With a break. Boo Ya.

Of course, the event that we had gone principally for was incredible. Open bar at swanky SoHo hotel whilst getting to be the first people in the world to hear the new album of one of your favorite bands while also getting to chat to them (translate - get exceedingly tipsy with them)? Makes for one hell of a good time.

What's the moral of the story then kids? While on study abroad, don't hesitate to enter those silly "I'll never win this" contests. Because while 60 million people makes for silly odds, its better than 360 million, and should you win, there is a good chance you will be going somewhere special.

Oh, and, London rocks. Go there.

Everyone do the student slog!

I'm not cut out to be a rockstar. Touring multiple cites with a new bed to sleep in every night is do-able, but  I appreciate knowing that my base it not far away.

The lack of updates can be attributed to 3 things. 

Americans abroad. You know how sometimes you make invitations for people to come and stay with you, not really being certain of how you will accommodate them, but being sure that you could figure it out should the time come? Well, 3 friends from the states, as well as 1 from England, called me on my invite. All at once. A smashing good time was had by all, as well as some of the tightest sleeping arrangements ever devised. The mindset was that they were not tourists (though we did do some very touristy things, cause you kinda have to), but outsiders, like I once was, to a completely new culture and it's practices. To make a long story short, they integrated smoothly and honestly into the university life of an English student. By the end of their week, they were no longer visitors to our flatmates, but neighbors. I say success on culture introduction. 

Mad dash to the coursework finish-line. 9,500 words. A poster. A full lab report. 3 weeks. Done. BEFORE THE DEADLINE. Proud? Damn Strait. 

Easter Traveling. 5 Cities over less than a week and a half. Dublin, Blackpool, Manchester, Warrington, and Liverpool. Let me give you a brief rundown:

Dublin - Ridiculously cheap flights using Ryan Air. Left for, and arrived on time. Very impressive. Great city with lots of history. The Irish are some of the most hospitable people I have ever encountered traveling. I recommend these sights, Dublin castle, Temple Bar, Grafton Street, the National Gallery, St. Steven's Green and shopping centre, and of course, the Guinness Storehouse. All of which, by the way, with the exception of the Storehouse are free to experience. Menupages.ie is an invaluable source for finding cheap eats and the best local spots to hang around. I highly recommend visiting the Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Ireland (since 1193) lots of real history to be found there. Stop into the Queen of Tarts cafe by the castle for a cuppa and some real charm from a truly unique cafe. Be comfortable with walking as well. 

Blackpool - We had the privilege of having a local show us round England's resort town and found, as it often happens, to be so much more. Rich history of supporting local talent in the music scene exists in the more indie parts of town. A nice break, for sure. 

Manchester - The capital of the north. Unfortunately I don't have much to report on way of things done, because spent most of the time in enjoyment of company of girlfriend and friend. We did hit up the Manchester Art Gallery, which was surprisingly well stocked with great 18th century art. The star of the show though, had to be the Odd Bar. Great vibe, even better food and a quirky setting. Dig it. 

Warrington - This was my first venture into a more "village" type of place. As expected, it was close and intimate, with plenty of character all on it's own. Participated in my first pub quiz, which I had been dying to do for ages now, didn't do too shabby, but definitely rocked it at darts. Comes recommended for a stop if you are in the area. 

Liverpool - This was the destination I had been looking forward to. As a lifelong Beatle-manic, this was my pilgrimage that I have been needing to make. For an entire day, I walked in their footsteps. Even stopping by the Jacaranda Club and Heebie Jeebie's, the first club they ever played and a club they might have frequented, respectively. The city itself is a vibrant place, full of great architecture and atmosphere that truly made you aware that you were in a place full of history. That said, I offer Liverpool in great esteem. 

Now that I am back in Lancaster, I have begun what can only be described by fellow students as the crawl towards exam period. With more and more people packing the learning zone every day, everyone is beginning to feel the premature end of the holiday. Who would have thought that out of all the things that I would miss from the states, the testing system would be one of them!?

That said, I need to be getting some sleep if I am going to be hitting up Cognitive Psych lecture notes tomorrow... Over and out. 

Late Nights... Early Deadlines

I have decided to once again crawl out from beneath by books (and bedsheets) to post another update at stupid-o-clock in the morning. Gotta love university sleeping schedules.

Week 7. Term 2. How depressing.

I have really been trying to make this term stretch. I've tried waking up early, having less naps, taking more strolls, and generally trying to enjoy all things English, but time has yet to feel like it is slowing. With only this term left of "real school", it certainly does feel like it has all blown past me once again. The reading weeks for philosophy are upon me, as well as their accompanying and soon approaching deadlines, and I am trying my hardest to get as many of them done before I bid welcome to some visitors from the states in less than two weeks. I was sitting in the Learning Zone this afternoon, which is more or less a library with no books; or the most high tech and comfortable study area you can have indoors, studying with some friends when I suddenly felt one of my first real pangs of "holy crap, I'm not going to be here much longer". Sucks I tell you. For all prospective study abroad-ers, if at all possible, go for the full year option. One term is NO WHERE NEAR ENOUGH. I cannot stress this enough.

Aside from that bit of moaning, I want to revert to some more pleasant trains of though that have been occupying me since my last update.

Tuesday's suck. Classes from 9-5 and two half-hour breaks. Yuck. Word of advice, if you happen to be stricken with such a class schedule, I have discovered that a pint in between classes, rather than going home, is BY FAR the best option. Find a buddy and play some pool as well. Make it a good time, every time. Reap the benefits of never being too far away from a cozy pub.

Saturday WINS. If you don't go out on Friday, get up at a reasonable time (leave your curtains open), head into town with a mate, grab some good and hearty Weatherspoon's breakfast for cheap, then head into the open air market. Grab yourself some fresh, local veggies, meat, cheeses, and depending how weak you are for tantalizing smells, perhaps an early lunch. Head round the high street and check out the reduced garb for some possible outfits for next nights clubbing. Pay a visit to the oriental food shop by the bus station and pick up ingredients for a tasty, easy, and absurdly cheap meal. Amble back to the bus station and get some work done at home, whether it be homework, housework, or cooking. If you have time, get yourself down to the gym and play some squash, workout, swim or whatever you prefer. After all that is said and done, have some friends round for a bit of dinner, pre-party banter and then get lost to the club. Party it up, take loads of pictures (I mean loads), laugh, sing, dance, and then catch the free coach home. Find your way to Sultan's of Lancaster, sort yourself out with some chips and cheese, then leisurely stroll back home to make a satisfied collapse onto the bed. Like I said, Saturday WINS.

Take advantage of the day trips that the university is constantly advertising, by the way. They are cheap, convenient, and completely worth it. We are heading to Ripon next weekend, home of the Wensleydale Cheese Factory (Wallace and Gromit!) amongst other beautiful sights and history.

That said, I think I have done enough damage to my body's circadian rhythms. Good night all.