As usual, this post will cover the highlights of what has been happening recently. It will also in addition, recap on what has really stuck in my mind after these first few months here.
First, the latest hits:
County College Winter Ball - It's customary here for each "college" to hold a formal function for its students at the end of the term. For us this year, ours had the privilege of being hosted in Blackpool Tower, a historic landmark in a city famous for being the familiar haunts of such characters as George Harrison, Andy Summers, and Jack White. In short, it was incredible. The presentation, the mood, the food, and the entertainment. Having never been to a prom-type event before whilst in school, it was definitely a great experience overall. I must say as well, I looked damn sharp.
Workload - Terms here run for 10 weeks at a time, totaling 30 weeks in all. Having started later than I normally would in the states, I had the pre-concept of a horrendous last week of term, with all students trying desperately to finish papers at the last minute. Not so for me. Maybe it's down to the fact that my major is just different in that lovely way, or maybe it's the classes I chose to take here. All I know for sure is that for the first time in as long as I can remember, I turned in work before a deadline. It wasn't a toilsome effort at all. I had 8 weeks to complete a single piece of coursework for each class, or module here, because of the fact that often classes are comprised of more than just lectures (practical labs, seminars). Not to say that the coursework wasn't challenging, I just had ample time to complete it. Again, much unlike the system back in Maine, this won't be the last I see or hear of these classes. The summer term is not a time for you to take classes, but rather a revision period for the exams in the final week, where students are forced to recall information from the classes they took the terms previous. I'm sure this will be an interesting test of assimilation into the education system when it comes round...
Money - How it all disappeared all of a sudden! One minute I was fine, the next, nada. Barely enough to cover the necessities until I leave for winter break. Mind those last weeks everyone, it will be filled with late night bar trips, spontaneous meal decisions, other coping strategies to avoid finishing that on last piece of coursework you have left. Seriously though, this is how I see it. Plan to spend double to triple your weekly budget in the first two and the last week of the first term. The common factor in everything that you will buy with it? Things you realized that you can't live without, but never think about.
Now, the overall review.
It's been a life changing experience already. I can only think of one, maybe two days where I haven't felt 100% great about being here. I have seen so much already, without really having left the city really! Next term will be different in that aspect. I plan to make use of the absurdly cheap airfare to exotic and awesome locations to really take advantage of my proximity to them. As I have said multiple times in my previous posts, I have a sense of belonging that makes me ache every time I think about the inevitability that I will have to leave here next August. On the flip side of that though, it fills me with the more want and motivation to make the most of it every day in one way or another.
I'm off to bed now. It's been a busy week of socials and celebrations and I am ready for a bit of down time. Will resume posts next term!
Happy Christmas and New Year everyone!
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