Hollie's blog

The last time I wrote I said I was prepared and ready for exams and of course I thought I was, but exams seem to be that frightening part of life where no matter how much you revise you have no control. I revised half heartedly before I saw a past paper; I went with the arrogant view that I could do it with a lack of revision. After a good look at a past paper I realised that even though I had read the lectures I had missed, I had not taken this module seriously! I crammed in as much as I had missed in a short space of time and took the exam.

Fingers crossed that I passed – I need to pass to change courses. Every blog I have written has suggested a harder work ethic and I've never reached my full potential, only because I lose interest easily. That is only an excuse and I know that and I'm sure you know that – but why should anyone follow a subject they don't have a passion for?

Next term I will be a straight Forensic student instead of a mix degree (this is only if I pass this dreadful exam!). It was hard for me to finally make this decision. I didn't want to admit defeat and if we are honest who does. I really wasn't enjoying my degree, I was wasting so much money and I had a hit with my conscience. I was wasting money/degree which others in the future will have to pay a vast amount for. I was achieving top marks in one half of my degree and barely passing in the other. I don't want my university career to be a waste of money so I have sacrificed another year of my life. I will be doing a part-time fourth year now and I'm really looking forward to it. I believe that I will be getting value for money for my degree as well as fulfilling that craving for knowledge.

I had my first bar shift at my new job (in the Students' Union bar on Knights Park). I was so nervous, I didn't realise I was that shy after becoming so open and confident in Uni life such as these blogs, but I was. I had never pulled a pint before and I was worried that I would be so awful like the ditzy barmaid that is always portrayed on TV! I have never been so wrong, everyone was so friendly to me and the customers did not care that I was new, they just required a friendly efficient service.

Now that the second year is completely over and all the work has been done it feels like the party season is here and everyone is just willing to have a good time and celebrate. It is such a shame that I am moving out of my first private accommodation property but I am moving on to a much better place as I have already mentioned. Nobody I know wants next year to come because we are so sure it will finish so quickly and that will be the end of our student life. I was so reluctant and now I have no idea what I was so scared of.

I hope to post soon and if you are going through exam hell like I was I feel for you but work hard because what you want to achieve is just there at your finger tips and soon you will be enjoying student life, the best years of your life.

Rewind a year and I could sit here and tell you the same thing! My life is in a constant déjà vu or the "continue" on a video game where you get a second chance to get it right. I understand now why the first year doesn't usually count towards the final degree. It's a learning year – a stepping stone.

My first experience of déjà vu is down to house hunting. It was stressful last year and there was so much panic and problems, but this year it has been a breeze and much more exciting. Being nosey in other peoples homes is always entertaining!

We picked a house last year that really wasn't perfect but we were in such a panic that we snapped it up and had to make do with all the problems that came with it. I say problems, you may think an uncomfortable bed or even a little bit of damp, but I mean RATS!! Yes we had rats as well as a tiny mouse. If you picture a home for a rat you think dirty dark sewers or alley ways. Our house was not filthy like that at all, just it was on the top of a shop that was so run down they could easily get in. We had gas leaks as well as a broken sani-flow and a half-finished bathroom after the landlord decided to do some work in there. 

I'm not trying to scare you on house hunting but I'm definitely telling you to take your time and not let yourself get ripped off as students are easy targets. This year we were in no rush, and we just took the time to look at many properties and 90% of them were good places, last year we just were unlucky. Location location location seemed to be our priority but we have found a very beautiful 7 bedroom house an extra ten minutes away from uni which wasn't just more pleasant but much more affordable.

The second repeat in my life would be the desperate need to make money - lots and lots of money. Money does not grow on trees, as my mummy used to tell me. I have always wondered where it comes from when a lovely lump sum appears in my bank at the beginning of every term but that is one of life's mysteries. That "free" money disappeared quite quickly so I applied for a job working at one of the student union bars. I haven't worked in a bar before so I'm very excited about trying something new.

These past two years have drowned me in new experiences and I'm really loving it. I was so negative about University before I came and now, I can't even remember who that scared person was!

Finally – it is exam season!! Everyone is scatty with panic, people doing 24 hours in the library, living off coffee and Redbull (or any other energy drink, there are many on the market. Just thought I would mention that, I don't want to be sued now do I!!). I luckily have learnt from my mistakes of last year and I've been revising well in advance. I sound like such a boring geek but I'm so glad I'm not stressing. Being prepared is so worth it, stress can really build up and eat away at you.

I'm very excited about the next few weeks to come, with moving house, starting my new job and the possibility of changing courses. I will keep you updated on developments.