First Years...come and share your experiences

[JDBfangirl]

College, Uni, OU or anything else. How's it going? The good the bad and the obscure.

Aww bless you hugs

I can tell these next few years are gonna be difficult, but will be so worth it at the end crosses fingers

I started yesterday too and I found first day a bit scary. We have a HUGE class, about 50 or so and I arrived early yesterday to discover everyone was 18 or so and fresh out of school. However after everyone had arrived I realised there were also a fair few mature students. We spent yesterday just enrolling and learning who is who and about the course. Apparently if you fail your placement twice you have to leave the course so that scared me. We also had to do one of those awful getting to know you exercises where you get a sticker, write your name on it, draw a picture of something you like and then go around to lots of people talking about your stickers. Eeeek!!

Today was a lot better. In fact today was really really good. We were split into smaller groups so I got to know a few others I am studying with and they are all really nice. We had a session on disability awareness too which we were in small groups and had to do tasks such as get dressed with one hand bound up, be guided around the uni wearing blind glasses, and cleaning each others teeth lol just so we can see what it is like being in the shoes of the disabled.

We have our timetable for the next few weeks Fairlady and it seems a lot easier than yours. We are doing interprofessional learning and on most weeks I have 2 full days off, and the rest of the days are usually half days. Occasionally I have a full 9-5 but if I have one of those days then I usually have another day where I am only in for 2 hours. Today was one of those days. I wonder why there is such a difference between uni's? I am not surprised you felt a bit wobbly with it being your DS's first full day in Y1. Hw did her get on?

And how have evryone elses second days gone? Osmosis - I was on the clothes thread with ya. Did you get your student wardrobe in the end? Where did you go? I am another one who looked at nutrition, well dietetics which is very similar, but no-where near me did the course.

Tamybear and Lollipop - what are you studying? And JDB - how has your first few days of proper lectures been going?

My second day was scary! I've found out about the 2 essays due in at the end of the semester! I thought Media Production was making films (which we do do, but two of the modules are essay based! boo!)

Yes, got the wardrobe makeover - although it took some wrangling. Went on holiday a couple of weeks ago. DH in his infinite wisdom took his wallet on the beach with £200 and 220Euros in it. Got stolen obviously.

So what was supposed to be a v cheap holiday turned into double the cost.

DH thought it best I not spend my hoard, but I just nodded and kept quiet and by the time the shopping trip came round he'd forgotten he'd said it

Sometimes you just have to know when to stay quiet.

Could also be something to do with the fact he had to spend £450 on new tyres for his wagon which he hadn't warned me about and which weren't strictly necessary...........

But I digress!

2nd day - meh. feeling quite sick. 3 essays due in by Jan, followed by 3 exams. This is not how I remember things 1st time round!!

We've got freshers fair tomorrow. Anyone joining anything?

Am thinking about netball. LOL! Last time I dragged my sorry ass around a netball court was 11 years ago! Maybe I could be a mascot.

I'm doing a Foundation Degree Creative Enterprise in Photography.

Notalone, I hate those icebreakers. Ours was after we shook everyone's hand and told them our name and one thing about us, to then tie ourselves to someone we don't know and run around the college looking for things on the list. Lol.

OsmosisBanana, I keep hearing about freshers week but no idea what's going on with that lol. I'm so not in the know!

My first proper lessons today were... hard going is all I can think of to describe them. And I have 3 lots of homework already!! I have to research a painter and prepare to discuss one of his paintings, do a modern interpretation of one of his paintings but on camera, and then to memorise a load of shutter speeds and apertures... And I still have lessons tomorrow and Friday so who knows what we'll be getting from them!!

PMSL @ Netball mascot

LV - What are you studying? I did Media Production... I started my degree for that 10 years ago next week!

Ice Breaker things are just plain embarrasing. I remember at FE college being made (with a large group) to sing some crap love song, arms out stretched. I was 18... I wanted to skulk in a corner

Had ethics and morality today plus an intro to Clinical Skills (yay, the interesting stuff is on it's way!)

I joined the Uni Gym and I have my induction tomorrow. Figured £80 for 3 years was a bargain and even if I only go once a week I'll get my money back (though may have to stop quaffing mars bars in the canteen at lunchtime!)

Had my first Hep B jab on my break. It was a tab sore and my arm feels slighly bruised. Next one in a months time... lovely!

Got Interprof Learning tomorrow when they make us mix with other health students. Also have study time which I shall be making use of as we already seem to have three or four things to be geting on with...start as you mean to go one and all that. Just got back from work so going to print some notes off, pack my gym kit for tomorrow and go to bed... slightly later than the 9.15pm last night... god I was knackered!

Hello again....well....I feel, right now, physically sick after reading on NIlE (not sure if this is specific to the Uni I am ....but it's like a site for students where you get all your info about the modules you are taking etc...you can download module handbooks, and your Tutors/Moduleleaders communicate over it, etc...)about several assignmenst due by November and before....an essay (which is a assesment essay and won't be counting as such, phew), some creative work, some other assingments, etc....and there is so much advised reading, etc...I just feel completely overwhelmed right now.
Next week I will have an easyish week, as 2 days off, but that will be a one off apparently, after that it's Monday afternoons, with Study Monday morning, Tuesday 9-5 (ish), Wednesday mornding and part of afternoon directed study, Thursday and Friday full days....

Notalone, I am so green with envy....sigh....I think all the courses at all teh Universities are differently set up, I think there are , obviously, some crietria they have to fullfil and as long as they do they have free reign....hm....
OH, we did in the Tutor group a little game....we had to tell one true fact and one lie....twas quite funny...
today we started a little Induction project in that group...making 2 posters....one on a topic within a choice of topics and one a reflective poster, about how our groupdynamic worked for us, etc....

Osmosis, oh no about getting money stolen, but lol at you knowing when to shut up

Tammy, oh dear at already having homework....

JDB, how is it going?

So, do we all feel still that we have the stuff to do our courses? Because after looking at it all, I am not sure I can....when are we meant to do it all, if we are so much at Uni and are meant to have some kind of sociallife, and then there is that small matter of looking after a family etc....are there enough hours in the day?

x-posted with you JDB

Wow! We are mainly all doing media / photography or health / nursing related by the sounds of it. We have also all done our fair share of cringe inducing ice breakers though I must say JDB yours really does take the biscuit with the outstretched arms singing task

I am also considering joining the gym. Its £135 a year for the highest membership level and I can then go when I want to. I hated netball at school Osmosis but fair play to you if you do join. Will keep you fit and be a good way to meet others too. I am not sure when our freshers fair is but I did get given loads of flyers and CD's when I walked past the other campus today. Am 30 so was pleased I still look young enough to be studenty!!! And I like your style with your DH!! If he can spend £450 on tyres then I think some clothes are definitely in order!

Fairlady - your uni sounds so much more full on than mine. I don't really feel I am studying yet as we have no assignments etc yet. I am sure it won't be long though until I am panicking about work loads too. Apparently these short days may not last and may only be for interprofesional learning so we shall see. How many people roughly are on your course?

Tammybear and Lollipop at how much work you have to do already!

PS - Fairlady - ask me that last question in a few weeks and I am sure the answer will be a resounding No! I do want a social life but not sure how realistic it will actually be, and lets not talk work life balance lol!

Notalone, there are just over 60 full time students and 20 part timers....so, a big course....apparently they just changed(reviewed and improved) the course about a bit, and we will be the first course to suffer the consequences
reap the benefit of this...
Oh and ys of course loved going full days to school and loves having lunch in the big Hall, bless...

As to Gym...I think I will be joining and on the days when dh isn't working I will go in really early and do some exercise before start...that way I avoid the traffic and the parking probs, I think.... It is £20 a month or normally £55 a term, however, if 2 join up the same time both get a term for £40 and one of the girls wants to join aswell anyway, so we will take the cheaper, thank you very muhc, lol!

I got some nice compliments today, they couldn't believe I am 38, as apparently I don't look it...wohoo...and people were also very surprised that english isn't my first language and that I am from Germany.....

anyway, one last cuppa and then bed, me thinks....Library Intro tomorrow, then more group work with teh poster thing and then Occupational Helath check....not sure if we are getting jabs and all that, or what will happen....

funnily enough that is what one fo teh assignments is about...Sociallife/family/woprkbalance and Higher education.......what social life....

Fairlady.. do you mean Blackboard? We have that and yes, it scares the bejesus out of you. Have just used half a rainforest printing out stuff to do in Library tomorrow afternoon. However, may have positive effect as it wil make me aware I need to keep up with whats going on. So 1st Formative Essay to be handwritten and handed in by 3rd Oct, Next 3500 word Ethics essay due in 17 Nov plus we have to do work for our portfolio.

My class is huge too...over 50 plus some lectures we have about 15 midwifery student joining us. Have identified class loon so all is well.

Have to say, all the staff, teachng or otherwise seem nice, on my last degree (College now merged to form Uni of Cumbria)some of the support staff were horrible, obviously hated students. Happy that there doesn't seem to be any of that at the moment (because these days, I'm 29 and not up for dealing with snash of some snotty clerical worker!)

Right, going to bed, am not designed for late night/early mornings! Good luck peeps!

lol JDB at having identified the class loon...I think I have too

oh and yes, it is like Blackboard...just called NILE...not sure what teh letters stand for right now...they did say, but I have forgotten...must remember to switch my brain on, lol

Ours is called Minerva - amazing, in a horrible way.

I thought I was quite good with the ol' pute. Yeah right. Am flummoxed already.

Am hiding in here on MN as I have no friends and everyone is wandering around cltching nasty looking shots of indeterminable alcohol.

Made one friend but she seems to be even less of a joiner inner than me and isn't here today.

I also have identified the class loon. Worrying enough I think it might be me and my 'friend'. Everyone is so quiet. Come on guys, you're 18, don't make me be the one who has to pick up the gauntlet of loud annoying one.

I can't join netball. They train too late at night and would involve multiple journeys in and out of Bristol / Bath. I'm quite sad about that.

JDBfangirl, I'm studying Media Production too! Small world eh?

FairLady, wow that's a lot you have to do going into Uni. I thought mine was bad enough as I really don't like the idea of doing 9:30-5. My attention spam lowers quite a lot after a few hours.

I've done 1 part of my homework, have to do the rest tomorrow cause I will be going away this weekend unfortunately (Sun holidays so can't really get out of it) and I still need to prepare my talk and my photo for Tuesday. Urgh. It's only been week one and I'm complaining so much already.

How's everyone else feeling, settling into your course? x

Well I loved today too! I should have done this years ago! I have Monday off but need to research and write about 3 conditions (dementia, stroke and depression) so much of the day may be taken over with that as I need to present my findings to my group.

Well I haven't identified a class loon yet. Maybe its me I hope not! There is a man though who asks lots of questions in an
aggressive assertive way. Eg NO, I DID NOT ask that question, I asked THIS question etc etc so maybe he is the loon. Tell me about your loons?

I am also finding Blackboard very scary. There is so much you can do with it I am scared I am going to miss something vital.

How is everyone getting on with their essays etc? My homework tonight was to email my personal tutor with my reasons for doing the course and telling him a bit about myself. Think I have waffled too much and he now thinks I am a nutter! Plus I don't think he actually knows this is our homework so if I am the first one to send it he will definitely think I am loopy!

Oooo, not too bad then. Lol. I'd rather do that bit of homework! Hehe.

I haven't had my login yet for ours. Ours is just called Studynet lol. I am putting off seeing what exactly the rest of the year has for me... I'm just taken bit by bit. It's bad enough that today I found out at the end of the semester we need to do a 1000 word (minimum) essay about our research into our particular field of study, as well as to produce a presentation to present to an audience () and to our tutors in a Dragon's Den type setting where they can just fire any question at us. Not looking forward to that.

And then Friday we're suppose to find out about our actual projects, but I won't be here, so hoping my friend can catch me up, or my tutor will respond to my email and let me know when I can speak to him in private about it!

I don't remember school being this much hard work... lol.

I had a horrible day today. Wandered around on my own for hours doing nothing.

hopefully tomorrow I'll actually get to meet some people on my course

OB - you had a bad day.

Blackboard is some times refered to as V|LE - Virtual Learning Environment?

I survived Interprofessional learning. Am is a group of 12 with a couple of other nurses, an OT, PT Social Worker, Radiographer and Midwife. We'll be in that group for the full three years. Everyone seems really nice (am sure this will change - esp with so many females in a small space

The Head of Nursing studies stopped me and my carshare buddy on the way in, asked how we were getting on. Am impressed he recognised us. Said we were to pop by his office anytime (bless).

Went to my gym induction... it was a bit quick but it meant I could get an earlier train home which was good after swotting in the library all afternoon. Startd my essay thats due in next fri, started on my portfolio and did some notes on cells for phisiology. Am now swotted out...and meanwhile the ironing pile continues to grow.

Have module on self awareness tomorrow and then directed study which I might come home for, don't fancy library two days in a row this early on.

I haven't encountered our class loon but my carshare buddy was telling me all about her. She seems to have an incredibly high opinion of herself. I give her till xmas!

For those of you finding Freshers/Welcome week a bit tedious, it does get better although I feel about 12 when I'm stood in the canteen, looking for someone of our course to sit with

I've found the class loon/s!!

It could be the guy who got cautioned for firing the potato cannon at the unmarked police car...

Or it could be the guy who had his marker pen confiscated for writing his name on a bus stop (both these were found out during ice breaker)

Or it could be my friend who went to the campus CopShop and asked for some police tape....the officer did give her some though!

Could be the guy with blue hair (who has Freshers' Flu!)

Or it could be me! My essays don't have to be in til December, but in the next 8 weeks, my group has to make 2 films...

Hmm we have a couple of class loons, though my class now has 10 people.

There's a guy who is 6'8". I kid you not. I'm only 5'3" so how small do I feel! Lol. (Not really classed as a loon but just for his height lol)

There's another guy that just laughs at anything, then looks at me cause I have that problem where if one person starts laughing, I do too, even if I don't know why I'm laughing. Yeah maybe I'm the loon too lol.

Or there's this girl that talks about really... deep stuff I guess is the only way to put it. Our discussion of a painter somehow ended up being twisted to a discussion about politics and taxes. Lol.

And then there's the, what I would deem, immature few, who have already branded nicknames for everyone, but luckily not me thus far lol.