G-DAY: Backstage (Part 2)

10.25AM
Okay, great made it. I've got a seat number on my ticket.. Obviously I'm smack bang in the middle of the row so shuffle down past my fellow on-time promptly seated graduates with a constant 'sorry... sorry.. sorry..'

10.30
*half screechy half melodic wedding-esque sound* An organ? Really? Where on earth did they pluck that from? Oh god are we supposed to stand?! I just took off my shoes I was getting comfy!


10.31
A procession of mushroom-hat and gown wearing old guys arrive. Or so I hear. Being 5ft2 means your ticket to the ceremony of life only comes available in 'limited view' option.

10.35
Vice Chancellor making a speech

10.40
Still making a speech. Ooh video time!

10.45
Not really sure why we're watching a video of how amazing Loughborough is. Very similar to the videos they showed at open day five years ago. Jeez talk about oversell.. I already bought it didn't I!?

10.50
We're off! The front row is being lead to the side of the stage. Oh god I'm only 4 rows back.

Beginning to regret wearing THESE...

10.51
First person is poised ready to collect. My heart goes out to them, they have no one to copy or follow the poor thing. OH MY GOD ARE WE CLAPPING FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE! Right I'm rationing my claps. Sorry Jessica Brown, my praise has already been allocated to Joe Cross.

10.55
Oh god it's my row. Dear Universe, I promise to only ever use my Psychology knowledge for good if you make it so that I don't fall over during this.

10.58
I'M NEXT AAAH.
"Rebecca Cutbill"
Oh my god I got whooped! Thank you fans! I'd like to thank my Mum, and my Dad, and...

11.00
I made it! Back safely in my seat, certificate in hand, dignity in tact. Just two and a half more pages of names to go..

11.15

So much respect for the guy reading the list. I never realised quite how.. Erm.. Cosmopolitan Loughborough was and he manages to nail even the most awkward Chinese names everytime.


11.30
Ah the old guy in fancy gold robes is talking about something inspirational, it must be nearly over. Good, it's getting warm in here.

11.40
Organs going again. It's definitely over. All the old guys in fancy robes walking INCREDIBLY slowly down the stairs. Oh now it's us - we have to do it single file procession style? You mean we can't run out, clicking our heels Billy Elliot style? How disappointing.

11.45
We're out! We're graduates! Let's take loads of photos! Now where did I leave those parents of mine?

Final Year Bucket List

So, there's only a few weeks left of term. Whether you can't wait to get out and get going, or well up at the thought of entering the real world, you will regret not making the most of these final few weeks. And I don't JUST mean drinking the predrinks surplus and dragging yourself to every night out between now and your last exams.

A really easy way to make sure you make the most of the home stretch - write yourself a Final Year Bucket List.  Think of all the things you've said "I've always wanted to do that" while you've been here. What are you waiting for? Here's some ideas that got me started..

- That restaurant you've never eaten at
- The bar/pub you've never drunk at
- The exercise class you've been avoiding
- Any of the things you see in the weekly LSU newsletter, think "that's a nice idea" then never think about again
- Photos in significant places
- Any classic rites of passage
- Course night out

We will never have the freedom we have right now as students; it's a lot harder to spontaneously have a massive night out with your mates when you're expected to function properly at a computer screen for 8 hours in the office. Take every opportunity, because literally YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE (lol couldn't resist) so why the heck not?

Oh and, absolutely get the most of your student discount while you can! Make sure you've signed up to sites like www.myunidays.co.uk, before your summer haul and graduation dress shopping :)


Me and some of my housemates created a list at the start of this year.. here's a sneaky look at some of my progress


Cheerleading trails
French lessons
Kelso
Run 5 miles
Departmental Ball
Tarboush lunch
Spin class (DREADING THIS!)
Get Totty Spotted from behind the bar
DBE
Flix
Naked 400 (we'll see about this one)
Buy Big Issue from woman outside Iceland

So, not the complete list, but you get the idea. Looks like I've got a busy few weeks ahead..

However, there is no excuse to wear this. Ever.

D-Day. Or not..

It's here! Dissertation hand in day! Roll on the timeline full of shiny bound reports, and alcoholic beverages

Here's the main five things I've learnt from doing my dissertation..

5. Actually what my dissertation is about.

Probably deserves a mention. Yep, I did actually learn a little bit about how adult experiencers of parental divorce feel about love and marriage. Yay, Knowledge!

4. Academia is kind of a mammoth task.

Six months, ten interviews and 17372718482842 zillion journal articles later and I barely feel like I've scratched the surface! Every question has so many avenues to explore before you can even begin to deliver a justifiable answer. Urgh. Respect to all the profs out there. Definitely not for me though, thank you.

3. I love the person who invented the synonym button.

You know exactly what I mean, I don't think I even need to say anything to show demonstrate illustrate it.

2. 'Dissertation' means you now have a safe conversation topic with almost any other final year.

It's the "what hall are you in" of final year! Strange, but you would never see a drama student and an engineering student comparing coursework notes, but suddenly they're in the same boat. Dissertation; bringing final years together. How lovely.

Although it is always awkward when you get an over enthusiastic reply  to a polite "how's your diss going?", and find yourself head first into the difficulties designing the hydro-collic-techno-vehicle-engine (soz design/engineering students, I do psychology give me a break).

1. It's just a big piece of coursework.

Really, it is. I can't say I feel like an accomplished academic, and my wisdom  teeth haven't suddenly sprouted. But, I worked hard and I'm proud of my project, so I'm off for lunch and some cocktails.

Go on, post your obligatory diss photo, sit back, and watch the likes rack up and you enjoy your well deserved night off!

Here's mine :)