Halloween is on its Way :)

Hey Lovelies,

Hope you are all well and weren't taken down by the annual ‘Fresher’s flu’, I am a little bit sad following on from my last blog as the 90’s kid in me didn't get to go to the Fresher’s ball and relive her younger days watching S Club 7 perform, because she forgot to buy a ticket- but I’m sure I will get over it lol. For those of you who did go, how was it?

One thing I am really excited about is Halloween, which as a child I always used to dress up for every year, but when I turned 12 I stopped, who am I kidding? When I turned 16 I stopped! But this year I have been invited to my boyfriend’s families Halloween party and I can’t wait to go all out. I have decided to dress up as a scary doll and am going to wear a black plaited wig, now I’m not sure if you have seen my previous photos of me, but you will notice I am VERY pale naturally and I have been blonde my whole life, so when I wear this wig that in itself makes me look terrifying and really doesn't suit me, so with the rest of the costume I am going to look very scary. I will be sure to post some photos once we have had the party so you can see just what I mean

Kind of along the line of Halloween I wanted to talk to you all about a module I am doing in my third year which is one of the ones which I have chosen which is named ‘Exceptional Human Experience’ and is basically a course on peoples experiences which are exceptional to everyday life (basically what it says in the name haha). It covers experiences such as poltergeists’, spirits, mediumship, hypnosis, experiences during sleep, alien encounters, near death experiences etc. The course is really unique and I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but I am really enjoying it and it has been interesting to see what experiences some individuals have, it’s good because as well as exploring the paranormal explanations we look at the normal explanations for these experiences so we get to look at both sides. So if any of you first years or second years on the psychology programme are wondering what to do in your third year, this is a course I’d recommend. It’s usually taught by Dr David Luke but this year it is being taught by Dr Simon Sherwood.

That’s all today guys, I will blog at the end of the month with pictures from the Halloween party we had. I’ll speak to all of you soon,

Take Care

Xoxo

Laura 

The Counselling Side of the Course

Hello Hello Hello Lovelies!

I hope you are all happy and enjoying your programmes now we are back in business. I have had one lecture so far and it has been on counselling theory, as an aspiring counsellor I’m very happy that we now have the counselling modules back in the third year as in the second year we don’t do any counselling because of the BPS (The British Psychological Society) requirements for all of us students getting our accreditation  Anyways so far so good as far as the course goes it seems like it is going to be quite an intensive one as we have so much to learn in so little time – eek- but I’m sure it’s all going to be worth it.

My main set back is going to be the role playing which is involved in the counselling skills module that I am taking in term 2, which obviously we have to do a lot of as both the therapist and the client, to prepare my incredible acting skills I volunteered myself to read a transcript out in front of the seminar which I was slightly nervous about because as much as I am loud socially I don’t tend to be in front of big crowds, however I did it as I know next term will be a challenge as we won’t have a script to read from. It is embarrassing but the key thing is to remember we are all in it together and have to do it as part of the module, so I decided to launch myself into it (but I didn't pretend to cry or anything like that, as much as I am a drama queen I’m definitely not ready to do that just yet.)

The counselling side is really interesting and has lots of different approaches which are good to get an idea of because then I can get an idea for what approach I want to train in to become a counsellor. What I didn't know was how there is no set criteria as to what is needed to become a counsellor. I myself do want the BACP accreditation which would mean me taking a masters recognised by the organisation, which our university does have which is the MSc Therapeutic Counselling course.

The only thing with the masters’ programmes is they require voluntary experience in the field which I sadly at the moment am lacking; I've tried quite a few places such as Place2Be, Mind and Childline but unfortunately although I have done well in the interviews I haven’t been able to commit the time they need on a weekly basis. But hopefully soon that will all change and I can apply again as all of them are great places to volunteer for and really do make a difference.

So the road to becoming a counsellor isn't the easiest but I know it will all be worth it in the end, so for those of you also wishing to pursue careers in counselling I would say stick at it because it will be rewarding and we will all get there :)

Anyways how are all you lovely fresher’s doing? I went to the Fresher’s fair on Avery Hill campus which was so busy but also really fun, I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and joined some societies. Every year I sign up for at least one even though I’m not a Fresher, my problem is I can’t say no to people so I sign up for loads, if I’m being honest this year I went for the freebies ha-ha. And BIG NEWS s-club 7 are going to be at the fresher’s ball! As a 90’s kid I can’t even begin to express how excited I am about that ha-ha I really want to go!

That’s it from me today guys and gals I will chat to you soon. Speak to you soon.

Xoxo

L

P.S. Avoid Fresher’s flu!!!

WELCOME FRESHERS of 2013! :)

Hey lovelies, I hope you are all well and ready for this academic year which is almost underway. A big welcome to all of University of Greenwich’s new students, I hope you are all excited to be starting your courses and that you enjoy your time here. I look forward to hopefully meeting some of you soon. In fact I know I will meet some of you because the Fresher’s events are coming up from next week and I am totally planning on gate crashing them even though I know they are meant for first years only!  For all of the events planned by the SUUG just for you check out the following link:

http://www.suug.co.uk/freshers2013/

I look forward to seeing you at some of them. Also if you are a new student on psychology/psychology with counselling – be sure to join the society and check out the Facebook page setup, as lots of updates on the course will be posted J

During my summer I have been working full time at the Clearing reception in Avery Hill and also at  Greenwich which I have loved and has meant I have got to meet lots of our new students, which has been really good. For those of you experiencing those first day nerves – don’t panic, trust me when I say we have all been there and you’ll be surprised just how quickly you can get settled. Clearing has been a lot of fun this year we had an annual Theme Your Team competition and this year it was ‘Going to the Movies’ so me and the others on the team dressed up as T-birds and the pink ladies from Grease and performed a whole musical medley for the judges, which was hilarious. We also had a bake off which I got pretty competitive in and went all out and made a topsy turvy cake with lollies in and everything – it was so OTT haha. Unfortunately I didn't win either of those contests but came a respectable second place both times lol.

I am a mixture of nerves and excitement at the moment because of the dreaded dissertation dun dun durrrn but it should be fine, I've started work on getting it prepared to be sent to ethics for approval which is what is needed for the psychology projects so soon it may well be underway. I won’t go into too much detail as to what I’m going to be doing for my project as I may well be asking you guys to help me out and take part in my study, but it is basically on body modification (tattoos & piercings) and has a few other variables alongside it. But that’s all that’s being revealed – for now- as it may change ;).

Right Boys and Girls that’s all from me for today I will talk to you soon and watch out sometime very soon you may be forced to take part in a study of mine, alright I won’t force you but I may beg. Haha.

Take Care,

Xoxo

Laura

Part 2 of the American Adventure!

Hey Lovelies,

So I am going to continue talking to you about my recent road trip of America and also talk to you about my week last week working for Clearing, which was manic and has left me very tired but at the same time it was an incredible success for the Enquiry Unit.

Right so picking up from where I left off after Yosemite Park we moved on to San Francisco which was a really great city that was also really chilly, which I wasn't expecting it to be at all. Haha I was freezing and had only packed summer clothes so my mum went out and bought us coats and hoodies, the embarrassing thing was though as she bought the four of us matching coats. I mean I realise no one was going to see me there but I do have morals, a family of 4 in matching coats is just plain embarrassing. The fact was I had to wear it because it was so cold. So anyways in San Francisco we did an open top bus tour which was hilarious just because at some stages it was so windy that I came off looking like I’d been dragged through a bush backwards. I also ate in an official Cheesecake Factory, which up until then I hadn't realised was even real (only fans The Big Bang Theory will know what I mean.) We also visited Alcatraz Island and took a look round the prison which has been left exactly how it used to be, which is really eerie and gives you the chills knowing who stayed there not so long ago, but again was a great experience. We also went on a sunset cruise of San Francisco bay and went under the golden gate bridge which was one of the best moments of my holiday, I just felt I was calm for the first time in so long and it was just such a great experience.

We visited Monterry Bay after and went whale watching and I thought we wouldn’t see any but we actually ended up seeing 12 humpback whales!!! And then we arrived at our final destination L.A. and went to Disney California and as you guys know from my previous blogs me being the biggest Disney fan to exist loved every single second of that. Me & Mum stayed to watch their night time water show ‘World of Colour’ which had me in tears purely because at one stage they showed a scene from my favourite movie The Lion King, but they showed the sad scene where Mufasa dies which still to this day makes me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME. On the very last day I did my favourite part of all, I went on a tour of the Warner Bro. studios and amongst seeing lots of other amazing things- I sat down on the actual Friends couch – eeek. Also on the way back we saw some costumes being carried in and our tour guide said it was the lot where The Big Bang Theory was filmed and I looked and saw Sheldon’s outfit being carried in! :O I wanted to run out and grab it but I think I may have got arrested – not a great way to end the trip lol.

And now I’m back here in sunny old England, whilst I wish I’d stayed in America forever I am glad to be back and am looking forward to my third year. We had clearing last week and my word we got a lot of interest which is great for Greenwich we took so many calls and Live Chats which was brilliant. I am currently based on the Mansion Site @ Avery Hill on the clearing reception with my lovely colleagues Danielle and Holly, so if you have any queries about uni and want to speak face to face come down to Avery Hill campus or go and see my colleague Rima at the Greenwich campus, and we will be happy to answer any queries you have J

Speak soon guys,

Xoxo

Laura R

Waking Up in Vegas…

Hi Lovelies,

How have you all been? It feels like absolutely years ago since I last wrote a blog for you guys but it was actually just last month. Since last time, I have been on my amazing trip to America which truly was unbelievable, so I thought I would tell you all about it, in two parts because I did quite a bit. I just went for two weeks in the end but it feels like I was gone for ages because we just did so so much.

We started off in Las Vegas, which was crazy and incredible at the same time. Wherever you look there is something going on. All the hotels are unique and have different themes, so I saw the Treasure Island show which was kind of cheesy but totally the kind of thing I love, we saw the Mandalay Bay fountains and the gondolas in The Venetian, we also saw Queen’s We Will Rock You played on the largest TV screen in the whole world with 250 speakers blaring it out – just amazing! There were times when I feared for my life like when we took a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon which even though was beautiful and a sight I was really desperate to see, I did not like the ride one bit. As you know I am terrified of flying and the pilot thought it would be hilarious to turn us at a 90 degree angle without his hands on anything to demonstrate how safe the helicopter was and would level itself out again, whilst I appreciate he was doing this for my benefit to help me calm down. It didn’t at all as I screamed, which was muffled by my headphones but everyone else on the helicopter heard it loud and clear through their’s, including the pilot who laughed.  

Next we visited Death Valley & Yosemite National Park (the home of Yogi Bear) and we were told initially that we would be extremely unlikely to see any bears. So I decided to become my families own personal ranger and on the drive back to the hotel one day I finally spotted a bear and her cub, upon doing so I screamed ‘OMG STOP DAD IT’S A BEAR, TURN AROUND’ and so my dad conducted a U-turn and I flew out of the car with my camera and just wearing a bikini (as I had been swimming in a lake) and pelted it towards the bear, which they advise not to do because they get really aggressive and protective, especially with cubs around. But the bears actually ran away from me and up a hill, whilst some other tourists who had spotted them appeared traumatised by the sight of me running towards them in a bikini. I was so excited and happy I spotted them that I actually forgot to take a photo- my bad. And I’m not sure whether or not I should be worried about the fact I am capable of chasing off bears when it’s usually considered hard to do so. Oops.

So that is part one of my American adventure, believe me it gets worse and I scream a lot more in the next one as well. Hope you are all having a great summer and remember Main Clearing is now open so you can call us on 020 8331 9000 or come and stop by to visit us at our clearing receptions at Greenwich (QM) and Avery Hill (Mansion site).

Take Care,

Laura

PS. I’m starting to suffer with jetlag. Zzzz

Clearing = All Systems Go…

Hey Lovelies,

How are we all keeping? I hope you are all happy and enjoying this beautiful weather, I certainly am although now I resemble a lobster because over the weekend I was in Eastbourne and no matter how much people kept stating it, I insisted that factor 8 was fine for me…turns out I was very wrong. And so now in the clearing office I am sitting here radiating heat because I am that burnt haha.

But besides that little hiccup I have been having a great few weeks. As of today I am working for clearing full time over the summer and I am really enjoying it, we have had lots of interest from prospective students which is great. The office is fairly busy and we are getting a steady intake of clearing applications which hopefully means lots of great new students for Greenwich J

Source: www.CartoonStock.com

I am also planning for my trip to Americaaaaa which is only 10 days away so I am starting to get super excited now as up until now it hasn’t really sunk in. Apparently in Las Vegas at the moment it is 41 degrees, so imagine how burnt I will be then haha I will be sure to share some photos then :S

A couple of weeks ago I was reunited with some of my lovely friends from secondary school who I hadn't seen for a long old time so it was great to see them for a catch up  as we have all gone in different directions so it’s great to see what we are all doing now. It was also great because I got to see one of my best friends Grace who has been at the University of Northampton doing paramedic science, I don’t get to see her as much so it was really nice, so proud of her and all her hard work.

That’s it from me for today guys I won’t be blogging until the middle of August now as I will be away on my holidays but I hope all of you continue to have a great summer and I’m sure I will have lots of stories to tell you when I get back.

Take Care,

Xoxo

L

Third Year Here I Come….

Hey Lovelies,

Hope you have all been good. Guess what!? I passed all of my exams, yay I am so so happy. Even more shockingly is the fact my highest grade was in statistics, I have always been totally rubbish with numbers so much so that I actually thought my results may have been a mistake, but I am really relieved and am now ready to take on the third year, but first to take a much needed break.

So far this holidays I haven’t really been relaxing as I have been mega-busy but with lots of great things.

I went to Thorpe Park last week with my boyfriend George and his family and had such a great time, it was absolutely hilarious and we managed to get on loads of rides really quickly without a fast pass which was lucky. George thought it would be a great idea for us to try out a ride called ‘The Swarm’ backwards. Now I love rides but haven’t been on any in well over a year and that was our first ride and I have never shrieked (and I do mean shrieked, not screamed) so loud and so much in my whole life, in fact I did it so much that when the ride came to a stop I turned and looked at George who was crying – literally, with laughter. Unfortunately I didn't go on the Saw Maze because it is now closed L but I went on the ride twice and was scared just as much on that.

Yesterday me and the rest of the Rumbles family went to the London Zoo to celebrate my mum & dad’s 25^th wedding anniversary. I adopted a giraffe there for them and then we went for a private feeding with all three of the giraffes they have there, which was amazing. They are such gorgeous animals but those tongues were so strong when they were pulling off leaves off of the branches we held that my poor mum who is littler than me almost got catapulted at one point across their enclosure. But it was an amazing experience which I would definitely recommend doing if you get the chance :).

That’s all for today lovelies, I hope you guys got everything you hoped for in terms of your exam results and for those of you lovelies graduating, good luck for the future – don’t forget about us !

I will be blogging for you all in July about what more I've been up to, I will be talking a bit about Clearing 2013 and also telling you more about my plans for the USA, which is fast approaching eek!

Speak soon,

Xoxo

L