A moment of silence - a degree has now been completed

I think the title of this post says it all – three years of planning, writing to-do lists and constantly trying to balance my time completing deadlines whilst working part-time and socialising has now come to an end. I am no longer a student (well technically I am until Graduation but still).

I would like to clarify a widely held view.  Yes, university is a life-changing experience. I am certainly not the same 18 year old who gathered up her belongings to set up camp for 9 months in Halls, as I’m sure many of you can relate to.  It provides you with the confidence and independence to live on your own and start a career.

I figured this celebratory moment of no more essays and stationary expenditure (the amount of note pads I’ve bought is quite ridiculous) deserved its own post as it’s quite a big deal really. I’m now going to attempt to share with you the top 10 changes I have experienced (some clichés may be hard to avoid sorry!) whilst offering advice to those of you who are starting uni in September. Here we go.

 

 

1.       I like that, I don’t like that

-          When I left school I thought I knew myself, but in hindsight I was naïve in some ways. I was more susceptible to people’s influence, and felt nervous questioning things and stating my opinion. University has made me more direct and assertive. Mid-year 2 I began to occupy the moto “if you don’t ask you don’t get”. It’s important to go after what you want, especially in terms of your career. Take every opportunity you can and be open to new possibilities.

2.       Learn what makes you stress

-          This is something I wish I had paid more careful attention to in Year 2 when the workload picked up. My body does not respond well to stress, so I encourage you to think about your possible stress triggers and find ways of dealing with them. This could be through regular exercise and healthy eating – join the gym (use your loan!), join a sports team or society, and make time for relaxation and socialising.  

 

3.       Taking on too much

-          It can be easy to think because you’re only in uni 8 hours a week that you can take on anything! (I thought this in year 3) But only take on as much as you can handle. We don’t want you having a meltdown! My advice would be to do more volunteering and part-time work in year 1 and 2, as that is when you had more free time, rather than year 3 as this is when uni work needs to be a priority.

4.       Save up!

-          Words cannot describe the feelings of ecstatic joy and sadness when I reached the unbearable realisation that I had just received my last student loan. It remains a daunting realisation (1 month later…) as the government will no longer be supporting you. You’re now an adult who has to fend for yourself. Therefore, if you can, get a part-time job throughout uni and during the summer and save your money, so that you aren’t worrying about money in third year.

5.       You appreciate the necessities

-          Living on my own has made me appreciate the necessities: gas, electric and water. Being responsible for paying the bills has been one of my biggest learning experiences.

6.       Helpful apps!

-          Some apps in particular have been my savour on nights out in London, I encourage you to get them – City Mapper, Uber taxis and Bus London.

 

7.       You’ll find your passion

-          Remember that hobby you used to do when you were younger? That may remerge and you’ll realise how much you loved it. For me that was writing. I view writing as a form of self-expression and find that it helps me get it all out; my worries, fears and aspirations.

8.       Acceptance

-          Life doesn’t always pan out the way you want it to. This is something I’m currently coming to terms with and it isn’t easy, especially when applying for jobs. It’s about learning how to be open to the opportunities life brings and not forcing things to happen if they’re not meant to.

9.       Friends

-          Moving away, being in a different environment, going out – you are bound to lose people along the way but you will also meet new people. I’m lucky enough to have established a close group of friends who are loyal, supportive and are always there to put a smile on my face! These are the people I want to give my time to because they appreciate me. Thanks guys

 

10.   Confidence

-          Thought I’d save the best till last, which relates back to the first point. Because you know yourself more, your confidence will increase. University will push you to be independent and take on more responsibilities. You will continuously meet new, different people who will teach you more about yourself.

 

 

I have left university with not only a vast knowledge in my subject, Events Management, but with new friends and a new attitude of acceptance, openness and ambition. The world is your oyster! Good luck to all of you who are starting University in September! Remember to just be yourself and remember my wise words in the process ;)

There's something about mornings...

Right, the time has come for me to jump back into the driving seat which is my blog!

I'm sorry I've been so absent for so long. The truth is I am a third year student soon to leave uni and I have assignments coming out of my ears! But also, even though I experience random moments of inspiration I haven't thought to write them down - well that's going to change!

Because, it's nearly Spring! it's International Women's day today! I've had my coffee and I'm feeling good! empowered and motivated! I just need to make sure I keep this up for the next few weeks - deadlines are looming, but not long to go now!

If you'd like to hear about how I try and cope with third year life, please feel free to view my latest post on the Eventbrite website, where I offer my insight into studying Events Management as a degree and share any tips at: http://blog.eventbrite.co.uk/event-management-course-feb/

However, in this post I want to share with you a thought I had recently in regards to mornings...

Now let me confirm - I do not consider myself to be a morning person at all! the reasons for this are:

• I love sleep
• ... and snuggling under the fabric marsh mellow which is my duvet!
• ....not keen on waking up when it's dark (winter times) it seems wrong!
• ... the groggy feeling you get behind your eyes
• ... putting off brushing the birds nest which is your hair
• and I just love sleep!

However, I have realised that there are a few things about mornings I do like:

• The smell of coffee and pastries - for some reason these smell seems stronger in the morning when you're stumbling to the station  .. or is this just me??
• ...the brightness of the (often grey) sky in London...
• ... the air is fresh and crisp to breath...
• ... it's usually quieter - markets are being set up and the shops aren't open.
• ... the singing of birds.. (the cute kind...no offense pigeons)

But there something else about mornings..

When you first wake up - I feel people are most themselves. Faces are makeup less - there is no façade. It's in that second after dreaming which transforms into consciousness when people are most vulnerable. There is a gentleness about mornings - a non-pretence. There you stand at the platform waiting to board the train - where are all these people going? who are they? and what did they have for breakfast?!

Either way, the stillness; the fresh and coffee scented airs represent the beginning of a new day for me. Who knows what the day will bring?

I'm curious about.. Consumption

-          My review of the Consumption exhibition at the V&A.

 The exhibition used photography to emphasise issues of sustainability, especially those which concern the environment.

“We have at times sustained our appetites through the exploitation of the world’s poorest people”.

With this statement in mind, artists studied the behaviours concerning consumption – how mankind has now turned towards materialism and industrialism to satisfy our cravings.

We now live in a society where nobody is ever satisfied with what they own. We want more.

One artist Hong Hao created a photography series by scanning the objects she consumed every day for twelve years. In the Chinese tradition twelve years represents the period of transmigration between cycles of fate and destiny.

 

 

She explains – “the very action of scanning establishes an intimate relationship between objects and human beings”.

By gathering this data she believes this will stimulate a desire for self-reflection within us (the consumers) and the desire to question the logic of consumption.

This powerful display of artist’s perspectives has made me fear for mankind and our lack of morals when it comes to consumerism and globalisation.

I then looked at my own life and what I own – the human labour which has been performed to make them. It makes me feel uncomfortable,  yet like many of us, I still buy things!

Therefore, it can be said that this exhibition was a harsh but true portrayal of reality.

Next time when I’m browsing the racks of clothes in Topshop I need to tell myself– ‘By buying this you are supporting consumerist values which include; using humans for cheap labour and destroying the earth’s environment through industrial waste. Do you need to buy this? Or should you start supporting local produce more?’ – YES I should.

 

 

 

If you get a chance – I encourage you to pop along to the V&A and take a look. It sends a powerful message that more of us need to listen to.  

Let's start a pussy riot!

So, I decided to create my own expressive piece in response to the New Venus event I attended in Brixton.

My piece looks at the negative labels people put on women in society, of which include adjectives such as; weak, manipulative and dumb. (far right face)

These negative labels trigger our insecurities – they are a blanket of words blinding us from light: the goodness and positivity we all have.

I have juxtaposed these negative labels however, with the positive attributes women have – independence, courage, beauty. (far left face)

Once you find the strength to rip away the whispers and the preconceptions there is only one truth which remains.

To anyone who has ever felt not good enough, not worth someone’s time, and is left wondering.. have I done something wrong? What am I doing?!

The labels mean nothing because you are UNIQUE.

It’s about someone taking the time to get to know you. Not the labels, not the whispers. YOU.

The 'New Venus'

On Saturday 3^rd May, myself and Georgia travelled from grey lines to blue to Brixton to attend the New Venus event. We eventually turned up at the discretely hidden gallery space to a selection of art work hanging on the walls, a pungent smell of a rum and fruit punch in the air and staging and microphones being set up.

 

The event promoted ‘feminism’ and the modern woman. Acts of the Russian activists, now known as the 'pussy riot' inspired a writer to ask women around the world to start their own ‘pussy riot’ in the form of drawings, paintings, poems and stories. She then gathered these to create a book and promote their visions.

 

This small scale event acted as a channel for creativity and provided women the chance to express their views and opinions on the ‘New Venus’ – the women of our time.

A statement written beneath one of the exhibits describes the New Venus - ‘she follows her dreams, acts with power and dynamism treading her path to full realisation of her ambitions. She achieves, she facilitates creativity and completion.’

I heard about the event from a friend who performed at the event. As always, Lauren Goodsmith took to the stage with confidence and grace, singing her acoustic songs beautifully. YOUTUBE her!

The event brought women together in a creative, expressive way. It highlighted the natural bond women share and how important these bonds are in supporting each other.

Vintage - Do you get it?

What do you think when you hear the word ‘vintage’?

For some, it’s faded black and white photographs, 60’s wall paper, flowered porcelain tea cups and high waist denim Levi shorts – stuff that is old, classic but most of all, unique.

However, I’ve met people who think of charity shops and smelly, old, second hand shoes. When questioned about it, their persistent argument seems to consist of six words…“Someone could have died in it” – so....??? This is when a frown occurs on my face, my eyes roll, my mouth opens and I say..” you just don’t get it”.

This isn’t about being right or wrong, but in my opinion, a vintage item tells a story, it’s a unique piece of history that’s waiting for someone to continue its journey. I can’t help but feel privileged to be able to carry on that journey.

I bought this 1970’s cheerleading jacket from Elysian Treasures, a shop in Hythe, Kent. It’s an original jacket from the Panthers team at Dunnville High School in America, once owned by a cheerleader named Debbie. Whenever I wear it (apart from it weighing me down!) I wonder who was Debbie? What was she like? – It makes me think about how clothes shape our identity. (Is that too deep to put on a blog?)

Anyway, for some great vintage buys I recommend - Beehive in Greenwich and Rokit in Brick Lane. They’re full of character, bursting with colourful fabrics and there are plenty of smelly old shoes to go around! Hmmm heaven.

  

This little city we call London

I didn’t know what to write for my first blog post. So, I thought I’d set the scene for what’s to come and share a moment with you all.

I was born and raised in South East London, until I moved to the countryside in Kent when I was 13. Even though the countryside offers peace and quiet, and the air you breathe in is fresh and pollution free! I always knew I would end up back in London. And I did.

Truthfully, I missed the noise, the transport which is regular and fast (unlike the hourly Stagecoach bus that comes along) and the constant buzz of energy you feel walking down busy streets at any time in the day. Of course, no city is perfect; London definitely has its flaws. The main one being how expensive it is to live in! And the fact that we now have to pay tuition fees of £9,000 a year (thanks Cameron). However, in spite of these, London will always be a part of me. (cheesy but true)

Yesterday, I set off to work at London Bridge. My mind was foggy with current stress factors as I rushed out of the underground station. But as soon as started walking over the bridge my mind found clarity.

Despite all the worries I have, the fear and stress that’s affecting me, all I could think was,

‘Sometimes this view is all you need’.

 

I stopped walking and instead stood and looked out over the Thames. It was one of those moments we all strive to have regularly. When we know what we want, who we are and where we want to be. For me, I thrive on reassurance.  Yesterday, London gave that to me. It gave me hope that I’m doing ok.

Soundtrack of the moment:  Moby – Natural Blues