Gappy Valentine’s Day!

Hey my lovelies,

Now this blog is obviously going to be about Valentine’s, however it is going to be about my experience this year if Valentine’s, which you will soon realise turned out to be a bit of a fail for me.

So I need to take you back to where this all started, which was 2-4 years ago in October. At the time I was a volunteer young leader and was running a game for the guide pack I worked at. So as part of the game I was holding hands with two or the guides and running in a circle, however on my run I smacked into a wall (follows on nicely from last week’s blog on my many disasters).  Anyway the outcome of that accident was me losing one of my front teeth. However, scarily enough the night before I’d had a nightmare of myself hitting my face with my hand and all my teeth falling out and them not being able to get fixed. So I was distraught at the time thinking like my dream I would be toothless forever.

Obviously my tooth got repaired and I knew when I approached my 21^st birthday I would have to have a fake one put in as the repaired tooth would eventually fade, I honestly thought I wouldn’t need a false tooth until I was at least 60, but clearly I needed this. On Thursday in preparation for my crown which is being fitted next month I had a temporary tooth put in. Well on Thursday night I was eating away and it fell out- leaving me with NO front tooth! So at the start of Valentine’s Day I was toothless – it really was not a good look. I looked like the advert for cosodyl mouthwash. This also meant me and my boyfriend couldn’t go out as I can now only eat soft foods until my permanent tooth is fitted. My valentine’s day was not really all that romantic.

Whether you’re single, with someone, have an ‘it’s complicated’ status, I hope you had an enjoyable Valentine’s Day. I will speak to you guys soon, by which time I will hopefully have my teeth fixed!

Xoxo

Laura

Greenwich’s Clumsiest Student?

Hey Lovelies,

How’s everything going? It seems like ages ago that I last spoke to you when actually it wasn’t so long ago I’ve just been really busy with my dissertation. Now, as the title of this blog suggests today I’m going to talk to you about a number of ‘incidents’ that I have had whilst I’ve been a student here, because the number is ridiculous – I am WAY too clumsy!

So what have I done?

• I’ve fallen UP the stairs outside the Mary Seacole building
• I’ve fallen down all of the stairs outside Queen Anne Court and landed on all fours, the security guard I met whilst I worked at Greenwich during clearing then came over to help me and said ‘I wondered when you’d be gracing us with your presence again’.
• I’ve got my memory stick jammed in the computer
• I’ve had a coughing fit in the silent zone of the library
• I’ve skidded on the grass (because the mud made it slippery) on my way to a lecture, that was my mistake I shouldn't have been walking on the grass after it rained.
• I’ve reversed into a wall on Avery Hill campus when I had first passed my test
• I’ve scratched my car on the hedge when parking at Avery Hill cause I reversed too far into it (I’m still not very good at parking)
• I’ve slipped down a couple of steps on the inter campus bus service

Most recently I dropped my coffee on the dome floor, and by recently I mean this morning. So yeah needless to say I am an accident waiting to happen and although on their own those clumsy moments aren’t TOO bad, put them all together from the same person and I think it proves I am possibly one of the clumsiest students here at Greenwich. I can’t blame the university because they are all my fault! So all I’m saying is if you see me carrying a coffee – watch out! Haha I’m joking I’m not that bad, but still I’m not the most graceful person on this planet, let alone this campus.

In terms of uni work I’m still plodding along doing my dissertation I now have more or less everyone I need for my study but I had a massive gender imbalance and by that I had 10 girls to every 1 guy. But I’m getting there slowly. I will be sure to keep you all posted! I hope you guys are all finding your work alright – we can do this, we’ll get through it together J

Take care guys,

Xoxo

Laura

Stepping out of the Comfort Zone – Ahh!

Hey guys & gals,

How are we all this beautiful day? That’s a complete lie, it isn't a beautiful day- it’s freezing cold and windy outside but still I’m trying not to let the rubbish weather we've been having affect me.

So most of you would have started back on you r lectures by now, I have this week. I started a programme called Adult Development and Mental Health, which is run by Oliver Robinson and I have also started the Counselling Skills module run by Brinley Yare & Val Sanders. Both courses seem like they are going to be really enjoyable and are both subjects you know I am interested in.

The counselling skills module has been interesting, because it is completely different to any other course we have done before. We don’t sit behind desks and listen to a lecture; we get into groups and put the counselling skills into practice. However because it is such a different course we are stepping out of our comfort zones by a long shot, because not only are we practicing counselling but we also act as the client too and so therefore need to talk about ourselves. The course is going to be a personal challenge but will be really fun as it means we are FINALLY going to start the journey into learning how to be a counsellor.

With this being my final term, I’ve had to start making some grown up decisions, and really really don’t want to as I really want to be young forever L , the idea of being totally independent is so scary. It’s like I’m basically waiting for Peter Pan to come and take me to Neverland- if only! But although all these decisions I’ve been faced with are daunting they will hopefully set me up for my future pretty nicely – providing I make the right ones.

I hope you are all well and good lovelies, I will speak to you really soon!

Take Care,

Xoxo

Laura

P.S. Btw whose been watching Celebrity Big Brother?  I know it’s rubbish but for some reason I’m addicted.

New Year, New Start, New Favours…

Hey Guys and Gals,

It’s 2014 yaaay, this year I graduate – arggghh. I hope all of you had an amazing Christmas and I’m really sorry I didn’t post a blog at the end of December, I was running around like a headless chicken so completely forgot, but I’m back and hopefully have my brain in gear now J So how have you all been? I hope you all had a nice relaxing break and got to do everything you wanted to. I FINALLLLLLY got some time to relax which was really nice and I spent a lot of time with my family and friends who I haven’t seen for ages.

It’s scary to think that this term is my last term as an undergraduate student, well this is providing I actually pass haha, but fingers crossed that all goes to plan. This year for Christmas I got lots of little bits which I asked for like tickets to Jersey Boys, going to the Elephant Lodge in Port Lymphe zoo with my boyfriend and his family, and having tea with the tigers – which basically means me feeding tigers, lions and cheetahs – which I’m beyond excited about, because as you might have gathered I love animals.

                                              

Lots of big changes are going to be happening this year for me, which absolutely terrifies me haha. First, I will be flying the nest and will hopefully be moving into a flat in the summer, I can’t cook so that is going to be a nightmare lol. Obviously I’ve got the course coming to an end which I am actually really sad about cause I love it so much, but hopefully I will get onto the masters programme here, so I may be a student for another three years. There is also the fact that in March I’m going to be 21 J

I have another BIG favour to ask you guys, as you know for Psychology we have to recruit our participants. My friend Jack Driver is currently recruiting for his research project which will only take a few minutes and you can complete it online. Just click the link, to complete the survey https://greenwichuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cIPDo5oQWYMWLlz

You guys were absolutely brilliant for me, so if you get a spare few minutes he’d really appreciate your help.

Speak to you soon guys,

Xoxo

Laura

Run Santa Run!

Hey Guys and Gals,

Christmas is coming (if you hadn’t noticed) and I am really really excited, I am one of those people that you see that goes all out and is usually very O.T.T about it all. I LOVE it. I have been watching the Christmas films already including:

• Miracle on 34^th Street
• Elf
• The Muppets Christmas Carol
• Prancer
• Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
• Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas (they’ve made a few haha)
• The Grinch

Yes I have watched all of these already, but I’ve needed something to get me through all this revision because I have not one, but two exams coming up, which I’m not ecstatic about so I’ve needed these films to ‘calm’ me down from the stresses, that’s the excuse I’m using anyway.

So during all the festivities I took part in a 5k Santa Fun Run for charity dressed as SANTA, Me and my friend Beste decided to jog/walk it as it is a known fact that I can’t run but I am now aching head to toe and just about made it. However- I am really happy because me and my boyfriend managed to raise £1095 for the Elimination of Leukaemia Fund. J So a HUGE thank you to everyone that sponsored us, in return here are some stunning pictures from the run:

It was a great day and a brilliant way to raise money for such a fantastic cause!

So the end of term 1 is almost here – where did that time go? :O But before I can truly get into the Christmas spirit I have two exams as I mentioned, one is in Health Psychology and the other is in Exceptional Human Experience Psychology, so I am living in the library at Avery Hill pretty much for the whole of this week and next, so if you see me say Hello and also more importantly make sure I am awake and haven’t fallen asleep on the desk, which I can assure you has happened on more than one occasion beforehand.

I will be blogging once again before Christmas break, but if you don’t get a chance to see my blog I hope you all have an amazing holiday break and don’t eat too much Christmas turkey – I’m only advising because that’s what I do- every year – I never learn! Take care guys & speak to you soon J

Xoxo

Laura

Now Recruiting For My Study :)

Hey Guys and Gals.

So I have a massive favour to ask you all, I can now say my study is up and running for my dissertation – YAY! I can now officially confirm the name of my study which is: The Relationship between Tattoos and/or piercings with Risk Taking Behaviours and Decision Making Styles.

If you guys wouldn't mind doing my study that would be great, you don’t have to have tattoos or piercings to do it, all you have to do is follow the link and it is expected to take 15-30 minutes of your time, it is open until the end of January so there is no major rush, but I would be so grateful if you would fill it in for me, if you get a spare few minutes:

https://greenwichuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cGDO29UZDfXykwl

If you are not a psychology student it is fine for you to take part in my study , you will be asked to put your personal code- it is important you make up a 4 digit code (either letters or numbers) so you can be identified anonymously if need be. Please take care in reading the information consent forms and the debrief form at the end of the study, and a massive thank you in advance for your participation.

If you are a psychology student then you probably know by now but you can sign up for my study via SONA and use your SONA ID as the personal code.

I’m not going to go into the ins and outs about what my study involves but it is all explained online, and if you have any further questions you can email me on the address provided on the consent forms. I will keep you posted about how it goes and what other uni things I have been up to- ‘cause I have been a busy bee!

Take Care Guys, I hope you are all good!

Xoxo  

Laura

The Where to go from Here Plan!

Hello Lovelies,

I hope you have all been okay since we last spoke, which was only last week but seems like ages ago already- this year needs to slow down! I only have 6 months left on my programme and it is scaring me so so much, I have kind of come up with a plan for myself for once I finish but it really depends on what happens this year as to whether or not I can follow it. Here it is so far:

• Pass my course.
• Don’t Panic or Freak Out!
• Try very hard to get some voluntary work experience
• Save up as many pennies as I can.
• Apply for a counselling Master’s (preferably the one at Greenwich)
• Hopefully get in and stay at Greenwich for three more years, as to be quite honest I’m not ready to leave yet, as you all know.
• BE A COUNSELLOR!!!!

So I mean the above isn't impossible, but it also isn't certain, so it is a bit daunting but all big decisions in life are and it’s best just to be as optimistic as you can, if my plan doesn't work out then I will take a year off to work towards getting me on a master’s programme, as I've said before I do need to be on an accredited one in order to allow me to be a counsellor, so I’m keeping them crossed.

But first I need to really focus on my last 6 months as there is a lot of work I still need to do.

So as well as all of the work I have also this year decided to become a student representative for the third year of Psychology with Counselling, thanks to the encouragement of my friend Jack who also became one. The student rep role involves us being a go-between for students and academics, there are three of us for the course altogether. We also voice the thoughts and feelings of the students on the programme to the academics and suggest changes if the students feel there are any which need to be made. So this role is one I am excited about doing and if you guys get the opportunity to put yourselves forward then I would recommend it.

Right guys, that’s all from me today, I need to go and revise and sort out my survey which will soon be posted for my dissertation – der der dern. So if you do read my blogs please keep your eyes peeled for my next one as all the information will be posted there about my project and it will also provide the link to my survey and I may be asking you to help out.

Thanks Guys, take care!

Xoxo

Laura