The University Debate- is the First Year of University a Waste of Time?

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have rather brashly put this blog under the title, ‘The University Debate’ not because I believe that one already exists but because I think it should. I have to admit that more than once during my first year at Bristol I asked myself why I was spending money to do not very much there rather than earning money to do a lot somewhere else. What’s more, I am constantly struck by the fact that it appears a lot of people feel the same, but no one seems to be doing anything about it.

With the first lot of high-fee freshers already struggling with freshers' flu, more than ever students are feeling the financial strain. These students, (most of whom, understandably, see the fee rise as education being more expensive, rather than less subsidised) will start to feel like customers. Customers who when they pay more, expect more.  

During my first year at Bristol, my French degree had me in the lecture theatre a total of 8 hours a week. That is to say, the equivalent of one adult’s working day. Of course I was expected to do work outside of my contact time, but with no repercussions for your results providing you can manage the 40% required, it doesn't exactly encourage people to adhere to these expectations. I understand the theory; we are supposed to spend our first year adapting, finding our feet, joining the tiddlywinks society and learning what it is like to be independent. But when, particularly with an Arts degree, your studies aren’t really directed towards any job sector, you can’t help thinking that it is not very useful.

The pressure on students during this financial crisis is immense. We are told constantly that we should wave goodbye to the idea of a paid internship and that there just simply aren’t any jobs, especially if you don’t have a 2:1. This leaves two options: stay in education forever or be as prepared as possible for the outside world. In my eyes, 8 hours a week doesn’t fit into either category.

I must admit that I enjoyed adapting, finding and growing this year- but should a £9000 first year at university only be about fun? And that only takes into consideration the cost of tuition, students have to pay for halls, food, transport, books and even a drink or two at the pub as well. I would suggest that this luxury of requiring a year before the hard work starts, while being nice, is a teeny tiny bit outdated as future students may be reluctant to take on debt that they will resent paying back for the whole of their working lives.

Fancy a Good Read?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson, translated by Reg Keeland

            

The first of the Millennium Trilogy, this crime fiction novel was anything but predictable. Even if crime fiction isn’t your thing, the novel touches upon corruption in the modern financial world, contemporary Swedish culture and emotionally disturbed computer hackers, perfect for an ordinarily mundane Sunday afternoon. From fascinating story-lines to totally unique characters, ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ certainly keeps you guessing right through to the end. 

The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas- Arlene Sherine

Probably my most controversial choice, I chose this book not because I am an Atheist but because I’m interested in the impact of Christmas on others who are. A combination of 42 atheist celebrities, comedians, scientists and writers including Simon Singh, Derren Brown and Charlie Brooker came together to create a selection of different opinions and stories about our festive season. Whether you’re unsure of your beliefs, interested in how science claims to disprove God or just intrigued as to what Derren Brown has to say, this book is easy to dip in and out of throughout the year. 

A Long Way Down- Nick Hornby 

A much quicker read than my other choices, ‘A Long Way Down’ follows four protagonists as they tell their story as to why they are at the top of a building, ready to jump on New Year’s Eve. Depressing as it may sound, in typical Nick Hornby style, this novel provides regular laughs as we learn each character’s story from the morning TV presenter accused of being a paedophile to the failed American rock star turned pizza boy. Although it’s not the greatest novel I’ve ever read, it is certainly interesting to follow Hornby on his challenge as he attempts to use wit and comedy to describe a most sombre subject matter.

The Things We Always Forget

Yesterday, my (sadly not so tearful) mother and father ushered me into my car to start the 3 hour drive back to University for the start of my second year. Mid-drive, enjoying the freedom of being able to listen to the first 30 seconds of each song and then change it without anyone getting annoyed at me, it suddenly hit me- I had left my flat keys at home. Uh oh. This three hour drive was not about to become 6 hours- all I could do was to continue on in the desperate hope that one of my flatmates would be there to welcome me in. Fortunately they were, but it got me thinking about all those things that we always forget…

Image: freedigitalphotos.net

Keys – we always forget our keys. Whether we’re getting locked out of a hotel room or forgetting which key is for what, we always seem to have key drama. 

Pin codes- who hasn’t made that quick decision at least once to pay in cash just in case the pin code doesn’t spring to mind at the right moment…

To reply to that message- I would argue that this is the culprit of the ever-growing social networking world of Facebook in which you read a message on your phone and decide, ‘I’ll reply later’. When later comes, you’re far too occupied thinking of something else to remember to reply to that person and the next time you see them, it all gets rather awkward. 

What was going to be my fourth bullet point again…?

You get the picture. 

My Month in Salamanca

 In July 2012 I spent a month in Spain learning Spanish and exploring the beautiful city of Salamanca. I was very generously offered a travel grant from Wills Hall (My Hall of Residence) at Bristol to attend the University of Salamanca during my time there. Here is a brief account of my wonderful experience to say thank you to the Wills Hall Association for their generosity and to keep a record of what I got up to earlier this summer. 

Spanish Celebrations upon Winning the Euro Cup 2012

 On June 30^th 2012 I arrived in Salamanca, a student town 2 hours from Madrid, for a month of studying Spanish language and culture. I arrived in the beautiful city at 1am and was a little worried as to where I was going to sleep that evening. Fortunately for me, 1am in Spain is barely past children’s bedtime and my designated rep was still awake and happy to let me into my shared student apartment.

The next morning I awoke to the sound of other students arriving and we all went together to the University of Salamanca, where I was to spend the next month studying. After a quick test, I was enrolled in an advanced level class which didn’t start until the next day. It was our first day in Spain, so what should we do? The unanimous response: Paella. After a huge meal of rice and seafood, we decided to explore the city. Salamanca is a small city that is centred around the university, much like Cambridge. It has an incredibly rich history, having been the study place of many important figures such as the Spanish writer, Cervantes and even Christopher Columbus was known to have lectured there.   

The Pontifical University of Salamanca

During my month’s stay in the heart of Spanish academia, I attended 5 hours of lessons a day (with no break!) and took up flamenco lessons. Needless to say, my Spanish is a lot better than my dancing, but it was a good way to keep off the added calories of the Spanish diet! What’s more, there were plenty of friendly Spaniards to talk to, especially in the evening over a glass of wine or tinto verano and I learnt that buying a lottery ticket was practically mandatory. 

A Flamenco show starring my Flamenco teacher

During one of my weekends, some friends and I decided to take a trip south to visit the cities of Seville and Cordova. The stunning architecture and plethora of things to see meant we were kept very busy during our 3 day visit. Despite the 45 degree heat, it was a fantastic few days and we hugely enjoyed the backpacker lifestyle, even though we ended up spending one afternoon being stared at on a much-needed visit to a public Cordovan swimming pool!

My month in Spain was entirely unforgettable. I made some incredible friends, the improvement to my Spanish was immeasurable and I have definitely caught the Spanish bug. I cannot wait until my next trip to visit our Spanish-speaking neighbours or at least until my next glass of perfectly cool San Gría.

How to Survive the London Underground

Picture: Rita's Lectures

I have not made a huge secret of the fact that I am a ‘wannabe Londoner’. Yes, although deemed forever to be a country bumpkin, I am somewhat desperate to adopt my city friends’ lifestyle and attitudes. Well, in order to attempt to create my urban persona, I am going to share with you the absolute DO NOTs of the London Underground. We all know what I’m talking about, those annoying habits people have that you can’t quite ignore. Those little pet hates that eat away at your sanity until you feel the need to change carriage or just get off the train a stop early. I present to you- the trials and tribulations of the tube.

Don’t do your make-up while riding on the underground. Unfortunately, this is one of which the writer is guilty. Apparently men are not accustomed to women putting small, curved brushes and black pencils in their eyes and I seemed to have attracted quite a few funny stares. 

Don’t read 50 Shades of Grey. This one is for the girls: it is just too late, we’ve passed the stage when it was (almost) acceptable and now it just looks like you enjoy the books enough to re-read them. Having said that, I would be fine with a guy reading it on the tube- just keep to the PG stuff or you might get a little embarrassed. 

Don’t catch someone’s eye. You know that awkward moment when you’re looking at someone and then they look back at you, and you realise you’ve been staring just a little bit? No one wants an eye dance.

Don’t sit between a loved-up couple. Does this one need explaining? 

Don’t forget that your headphones were only cheap, and everyone in the entire carriage knows that you’re listening to Justin Bieber.

Don’t expose your post-busy-day-in-the-office armpits to the poor woman who is about shoulder height, crammed into the corner next to you. The train is completely full and she has literally nowhere to go. Now that’s just mean.  

The above rules will certainly help with easing your travel nightmares and ensuring a smooth, stress free tube journey. But, if like me, you want everyone to know that London is your home town (sort of), that you learnt the tube map before you learnt to read and that your oyster card is at least 5 years old (obviously), my top tip for making sure everyone around knows that you are a real Londoner?

Do make annoying, ridiculously over-the-top tutting and sighing noises while tapping your foot impatiently if an innocent tourist hasn’t yet picked up on the ‘stand on the right’ rule on the escalators.Then they'll know who's boss.

Shameful Shots of a Perfect Princess

The Duchess of Cambridge visits a mosque in Kuala Lumpur Photo: PA

Last week, French magazine Closer printed an array of semi-nude pictures of our beloved Kate Middleton. Uproar followed as the princess and her husband who consistently seek to be private and demure in their private lives have their most intimate moments revealed to the world. 

However, I have to admit that I agree with Laurence Pieau, editor of French Closer, that these images portray a young couple in love, and cannot be likened to the pictures of the arguably dishonourable party-lifestyle of William’s younger brother. The pictures depict William rubbing sun cream into his new wife’s back, a romantic and tranquil scene. Could you even argue that these images, far from being negative, reconfirm that these two people are in a genuine and happy marriage?

Although I would agree that the timing is fairly unfortunate, in that the couple are currently visiting mosques on a daily basis, I think the underlying problem here is a discrepancy of culture. The stereotype of the English as being prudish and reserved appears to me to be incredibly relevant. Being topless on a beach in France is a fairly normal activity, even on a holiday in the south of France age five, I found myself subjected to a nude beach. Our French-speaking neighbours are more accustomed to seeing their celebrities without their bikini top, but for a Brit? We still find it rather shocking. 

 

Either way, it will be interesting to see how the upcoming law suit in Paris will play out. Celebrities constantly have their privacy invaded, and although the Duchess of Cambridge is famous through love and not through some forgettable reality TV programme, ultimately she will have to face the same struggle.