Semester one is now half way through and I have only just started to do some work. I have been struggling with both emotional and technical issues which I have allowed to have an influence on my efforts of participation on the course.
The thing I have really been struggling most with (emotionally) is the fact that I miss my friends and greatly miss northern college. Prior to doing the social sciences diploma there, I had done quite a lot of skills for life short courses. Northern college became a comfort zone and security blanket after my depression in 2007 and I think I am learning now just how dependent I became on it, the grounds and the staff........and it is hard to adjust. Also, I have just recently got my computer back after it fell ill when a graphics card was dropped in it. Not having the technology has been a bit of a pain in the arse really.
Another thing that has been bothering me is the fact that I couldn't use my magnification software in the library (or so I thought). This has contributed to me feeling isolated (being stuck in my room all the time) and demotivated. However *spud blushes*, I have since learnt that I was in fact using the wrong PC's and the magnification pen does work in the library after all. What a numpty! And that is me with the IT Essentials 1 certificate in hardware and software maintenance and an ECDL.
After last weeks humanistic theory and principles session I had a mentoring session. Stuart gave me a good verbal kick up the arse, which I think I neededto be honest. This has motivated me slightly and I have begun to look at a book and make notes on it for the essay. After discovering my software works, speaking to Stuart and reading the book, I am trying to focus on me and my feelings. I am trying to become more emotionally aware of myself in order that I may deal with minor falls like this and not become to concerned about them.
I have bitten the bullet early on, help wise, and I booked tutorials with all my tutors, additional support and my academic tutor to let them know how I am feeling and search out possible guidance and tips. As a result however, I have been asked to attend a meeting with the course director, leader, academic tutor etc next tuesday (3rd November) to discuss issues in participation. The letter was a bit formal and has made me nervous and left me wondering if I am in for a severe arse kicking :s.
I have been lucky so far, but I haven't escaped it...........................I have caught fresher's flu I think. It started the other day with a sore throat, chesty and painful cough and blocked nose. It has now progressed slighly with the addition of weakness and a runny nose - I HAVE MAN FLU!!!!!
Friday, 30 October 2009
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Week 3 - The week from hell?
Week three is nearly over now, and I still don't really feel any easier about uni' life than I did in the first week.
The Humanistics presentation plan was shot out of the water on Monday (12th Ocober 2009) with the announcement that another group had decided to do theirs on Kafka. We have met a few times this week to bash out an idea. We had decided to do Gary Numen, but couldn't find enough evidence to prove that he could have been an existentialist or had existentialist influences. In the end we settled for the french author, Albert Camus.
Counselling skills on Tuesday (13th October) was good. We discussed various listening skills which we would use in a helping role and discussed things not to do when talking to someone (like look out of the window-haha). The skills practice session was ok I guess. I did stumble quite a bit and had to stop my practice session and ask for help. Whether it was the way I was feeling that was having an affect on me or what, I don't know.
On Wednesday (14th October 2009) we had our first MPS session. There wasn't any singing in this session, it was a kind of 'get to know you' session with games and stuff. I didn't really feel comfortable being there to be honest due to the way I am feeling at the moment. I am hoping that I will feel more relaxed and comfortable soon as it is important to MPS that we all bond well for the sake of the production(s).
I went in to town on Thursday (15th October 2009) for a wander around. On the way back, I noticed loads of police and an army vehcle outisde the minster, so went along to find out what was happening. I learnt that it was the 'inspection of the troops' where the Mayor addresses the troops and reafirms their entitlement to the freedom of the city.
Later that day, I went to Clifton Moor with the guy over the way to get some pop from Mr and Mrs Tesco. Although, not entirely knowing what you want before you go in to a supermarket is not a wise move. I ended up coming out with £40 worth of junk (sweets, cookies, cluster things, nuts etc).
I went to see a counsellor on Friday (16th October 2009) to discuss how I was feeling at the moment and how I am finding it difficult to actually bite in to a piece of work. I also emailed all my tutors to inform them the difficulties I am having at the moment and what I am trying to do about it.
I am going to try and do a bit of research over the weekend as well as attend the first MPS rehearsals on Sunday. Hopefully next week will be much better.
The Humanistics presentation plan was shot out of the water on Monday (12th Ocober 2009) with the announcement that another group had decided to do theirs on Kafka. We have met a few times this week to bash out an idea. We had decided to do Gary Numen, but couldn't find enough evidence to prove that he could have been an existentialist or had existentialist influences. In the end we settled for the french author, Albert Camus.
Counselling skills on Tuesday (13th October) was good. We discussed various listening skills which we would use in a helping role and discussed things not to do when talking to someone (like look out of the window-haha). The skills practice session was ok I guess. I did stumble quite a bit and had to stop my practice session and ask for help. Whether it was the way I was feeling that was having an affect on me or what, I don't know.
On Wednesday (14th October 2009) we had our first MPS session. There wasn't any singing in this session, it was a kind of 'get to know you' session with games and stuff. I didn't really feel comfortable being there to be honest due to the way I am feeling at the moment. I am hoping that I will feel more relaxed and comfortable soon as it is important to MPS that we all bond well for the sake of the production(s).
I went in to town on Thursday (15th October 2009) for a wander around. On the way back, I noticed loads of police and an army vehcle outisde the minster, so went along to find out what was happening. I learnt that it was the 'inspection of the troops' where the Mayor addresses the troops and reafirms their entitlement to the freedom of the city.
Later that day, I went to Clifton Moor with the guy over the way to get some pop from Mr and Mrs Tesco. Although, not entirely knowing what you want before you go in to a supermarket is not a wise move. I ended up coming out with £40 worth of junk (sweets, cookies, cluster things, nuts etc).
I went to see a counsellor on Friday (16th October 2009) to discuss how I was feeling at the moment and how I am finding it difficult to actually bite in to a piece of work. I also emailed all my tutors to inform them the difficulties I am having at the moment and what I am trying to do about it.
I am going to try and do a bit of research over the weekend as well as attend the first MPS rehearsals on Sunday. Hopefully next week will be much better.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Week 2 Over - Still haven't started!
Oh well, the third week is now over and I still have not gotten anything done. The lectures weren't as tiresome this week though, so that is a plus-hehe!
On Wednesday (7th October 2009), I was supposed to take delivery of my computer at Uni'. Unfortunately, the guy had to go home and attend to a family emergency. I hope everything turned out ok for him. In the afternoon, I went to the Music Production Society's (MPS) audions for the choir. I haven't heard anything, but it was hard as I could not read the music and had to try and remember everything.
On Friday (9th October 2009) I started my Birthday in the early hours with a confrontation. Some mummy's boy was banging doors and making a racket, so I went out to tell him to keep it down. He told me to "go back to bed and chill the fuck out", which made me angry (as you will probably guess). Around 20 minutes afterwards, it went quiet though.
In the 'real' morning, I went to speak to one of the disability co-ordinator's about it. As a result, I have submitted a complaint to accommodations about that, the food and how the catering voucher system is poor. As I was half cocked anyway, they got both barrels-haha!.
I celebrated the rest of the day with plenty of cards and the delivery of my new computer. It took over four hours to get it connecting to the network in a stable manner but it was worth the wait to be back online again. I then treated myself to a fish supper and chilled out watching the TV.
Today (10th October 2009) I walked around town and accidently discovered that the Castle Museum wasn't all that far away, so I went in to have a look. It cost me £6.50 mind, but I could take as many pictures as I liked.
Tomorrow (11th October 2009) I am going to The Salvation Army in the morning, as I haven't been since I arrived. Then I may pop in to town for my lunch before going to the solo auditions of the Music Production Society (MPS)
On Wednesday (7th October 2009), I was supposed to take delivery of my computer at Uni'. Unfortunately, the guy had to go home and attend to a family emergency. I hope everything turned out ok for him. In the afternoon, I went to the Music Production Society's (MPS) audions for the choir. I haven't heard anything, but it was hard as I could not read the music and had to try and remember everything.
On Friday (9th October 2009) I started my Birthday in the early hours with a confrontation. Some mummy's boy was banging doors and making a racket, so I went out to tell him to keep it down. He told me to "go back to bed and chill the fuck out", which made me angry (as you will probably guess). Around 20 minutes afterwards, it went quiet though.
In the 'real' morning, I went to speak to one of the disability co-ordinator's about it. As a result, I have submitted a complaint to accommodations about that, the food and how the catering voucher system is poor. As I was half cocked anyway, they got both barrels-haha!.
I celebrated the rest of the day with plenty of cards and the delivery of my new computer. It took over four hours to get it connecting to the network in a stable manner but it was worth the wait to be back online again. I then treated myself to a fish supper and chilled out watching the TV.
Today (10th October 2009) I walked around town and accidently discovered that the Castle Museum wasn't all that far away, so I went in to have a look. It cost me £6.50 mind, but I could take as many pictures as I liked.
Tomorrow (11th October 2009) I am going to The Salvation Army in the morning, as I haven't been since I arrived. Then I may pop in to town for my lunch before going to the solo auditions of the Music Production Society (MPS)
Saturday, 3 October 2009
The First Accademic Week - A summary of thought
The first accademic week has been exciting and the modules do have the potential to be very interesting. My head is just so clouded and confused at the moment, that I am unable to focus on what needs to be done.
I have booked an appointment with my Accademic Tutor (AT) for Monday, so I will have a good chat with him about things. I think I am still trying to absorb the information I was given in Fresher's Week part 1 and that is why I am struggling.
My computer is delivered on Wednesday morning, so I should be able to plan some quality study time then. At the moment, I can't do that myself. I have the use of support workers but I don't fully understand what I am supposed to be doing.
All in the all, the week has been a good one. I have located cheap stationery, got to know a few more people and can find my way around the city centre shops-haha! I have had a combination of thoughts this week though. Thoughts of whether I can do this, thoughts of confusion, thoughts of knowing things that have been told to me (which is the exciting part.........it reinforces my thought that I'm not thick-haha).
We were told to 'own our thoughts'. What does this mean? I think my path will be clearer when I speak to the AT on Monday.
I have booked an appointment with my Accademic Tutor (AT) for Monday, so I will have a good chat with him about things. I think I am still trying to absorb the information I was given in Fresher's Week part 1 and that is why I am struggling.
My computer is delivered on Wednesday morning, so I should be able to plan some quality study time then. At the moment, I can't do that myself. I have the use of support workers but I don't fully understand what I am supposed to be doing.
All in the all, the week has been a good one. I have located cheap stationery, got to know a few more people and can find my way around the city centre shops-haha! I have had a combination of thoughts this week though. Thoughts of whether I can do this, thoughts of confusion, thoughts of knowing things that have been told to me (which is the exciting part.........it reinforces my thought that I'm not thick-haha).
We were told to 'own our thoughts'. What does this mean? I think my path will be clearer when I speak to the AT on Monday.
Helping Hands - An introduction
On Friday (2nd October) we had our first session of Helping in the Community. This module is designed to allow us time to gain hands-on experience through volunteering or paid work for a few hours each week.
We were introduced to the module and The Opportunites Gateway within the University (which helps locate volunteering and job opportunities etc) and were told how the Student Union could also help.
There is a Jobs and Volunteering Fair coming up on the 7th and 14th October, so I may pop along to those to see what is on offer, but I have thought about asking The Salvation Army. After the session, I decided that I would come home for the weekend.
We were introduced to the module and The Opportunites Gateway within the University (which helps locate volunteering and job opportunities etc) and were told how the Student Union could also help.
There is a Jobs and Volunteering Fair coming up on the 7th and 14th October, so I may pop along to those to see what is on offer, but I have thought about asking The Salvation Army. After the session, I decided that I would come home for the weekend.
Picture Perfect - Or is it?
On Thursday (1st October) I wandered in to town and bought a Canon EOS 450D digital SLR camera. Don't ask me why, because I still haven't worked that out for myself yet. Myabe it was an alternative thought to buying an Xbox 360 Elite (which I nearly did).
In the camera shop in the centre of York, they wanted £599 just for the body. I got the body with an 18-55mm lens, an 8Gb SD card and a kit bag for around £550 from Jessops, so I was well pleased with myself.
Since buying the camera, I have ordered an EF 75-300mm lens from ebay to go with my kit. It was around £100 cheaper than the RRP, so again, I am well pleased.
In the camera shop in the centre of York, they wanted £599 just for the body. I got the body with an 18-55mm lens, an 8Gb SD card and a kit bag for around £550 from Jessops, so I was well pleased with myself.
Since buying the camera, I have ordered an EF 75-300mm lens from ebay to go with my kit. It was around £100 cheaper than the RRP, so again, I am well pleased.
Clifton Moor - A new shopping experience
On Wednesday (30th September) I walked to Clifton Moor (a retail outlet). It took me an hour and a half, but it was a nice day and, let's face it, I need the exercise-haha! On arriving at Clifton Moor, I took the wrong road and ended up walking all the way around the service bays at the back. Eventually finding the front of the shops, I sat down to study the environment I was in.
The first shop I ventured in to was Wilkinsons. Man! You want to see the size of it. It is about the size of our Tesco Extra in Doncaster (ok, maybe a bit smaller) and has a cafe in it too. I stocked up on some cheap (in price) paper for my printer and another lever arch file and moved on to the Tesco Extra.
The Tesco Extra reminded me of the one in Elgin really. It was a split floor Tesco with food and clothing downstairs and digital stuff an more clothing upstairs. I didn't realise that Clifton Moor was a split site, so there was shops that hadn't seen when I caught the bus back to town.
That evening, I went along to the introduction meeting of the Music Production Society (MPS). I am thinking of going along to the forthcomin auditions for a spot in either the choir, dance or solo for the variety show they are putting on at Christmas. YSJ MPS won an award last year for best performance society (or something like that).
The first shop I ventured in to was Wilkinsons. Man! You want to see the size of it. It is about the size of our Tesco Extra in Doncaster (ok, maybe a bit smaller) and has a cafe in it too. I stocked up on some cheap (in price) paper for my printer and another lever arch file and moved on to the Tesco Extra.
The Tesco Extra reminded me of the one in Elgin really. It was a split floor Tesco with food and clothing downstairs and digital stuff an more clothing upstairs. I didn't realise that Clifton Moor was a split site, so there was shops that hadn't seen when I caught the bus back to town.
That evening, I went along to the introduction meeting of the Music Production Society (MPS). I am thinking of going along to the forthcomin auditions for a spot in either the choir, dance or solo for the variety show they are putting on at Christmas. YSJ MPS won an award last year for best performance society (or something like that).
Counselling Skills and Process 1 - An introduction
On Tuesday (29th) we had our first session of Counselling Skills and Process. Again, we were issued and taken through a module handbook. I think this is the module I will enjoy the most, as we have the opportunity to put our skills in to practice in the afternoon.
We were told about confidentiality in the skills practice sessions and it was highlighted to us that these sessions are live and not role played sessions. In the afternoon, the skills groups met and discussed guidelines that we should adhere to (a contract). This sets out the behaviour that is not accepted within the sessions, ground rules and rules on confidentiality.
We were told about confidentiality in the skills practice sessions and it was highlighted to us that these sessions are live and not role played sessions. In the afternoon, the skills groups met and discussed guidelines that we should adhere to (a contract). This sets out the behaviour that is not accepted within the sessions, ground rules and rules on confidentiality.
Humanistic Theories - An introduction
On Monday (28th September) at 9:00 am, we had our first lecture of the Counselling Studies course - Humanistic Theory and Principles. The tutor introduced himself, we introduced each other and then we were introduced to 3 approaches of humanistics - gestalt, existentialism and person centred. I would like to explain what each one is, but I can't at the moment as I havn't got a scooby.
We were issued with the module handbook and taken through it. The first thing we have to do is a 23-30 minute presentation on an artist who was influenced by humanistics. Harder than it sounds to resource, but I (well, my support worker) came up with Da Vinci.
We were issued with the module handbook and taken through it. The first thing we have to do is a 23-30 minute presentation on an artist who was influenced by humanistics. Harder than it sounds to resource, but I (well, my support worker) came up with Da Vinci.
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