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

My Busy, Spooky, Sporty Weekend…

Hey Guys n Gals

How are you all doing? I hope you were all ok what with the storm damage yesterday, I personally didn’t think it was that bad but then again I did sleep like a log on Sunday night, we could have had a tornado and I probably wouldn’t have noticed! But hope you are all safe and sound and weren’t too badly affected with the transport being mucked up so bad.

So on Saturday my boyfriend’s parents held their Halloween party which I spoke about in my last blog. It was a really fun night, despite the dodgy weather - it was amazing, everyone made a real effort to get dressed up and all looked great. As promised I have included some photos…

So as you can see my hair should never ever be dyed black it really does not suit me but does make me look a bit spooky due to my very pale skin ha-ha (Please note: I am wearing dolls eye contact lenses in the photos and my eyes aren't usually that scary looking). Also this Sunday, I went to the NFL (American Football) game at Wembley Stadium and saw the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. San Francisco 49ers (the team I support), despite the fact the game wasn’t that close it was such an incredible atmosphere and NeYo was there performing as well, so all in all I had a really great weekend.

But now it’s time for me to focus as I have two in-class tests coming up in November – yay, which means its revision time for me. They shouldn't be too bad, it’s the essays due in January which will be a lot of work, but I’m sure it will all pay off in the end. I can’t believe this time next year I will be graduating, that’s too scary for me to even think about. Time has flown by way too quickly- I don’t want to leave, when the time comes I may have to tie myself to the gates of Greenwich. But right now I’m just trying to focus on taking each day as it comes and do all the work I need to do to get me there. The good news is the library are extending their hours soon which is probably for the best as I can never get any work done at home, not because it’s noisy but because I have my ‘F.R.I.E.N.D.S’ and ‘The Big Bang Theory’ box sets sitting there which I’d almost definitely end up watching, so at least at the library I won’t have any distractions, so if you’re like me and find you get distracted way to easy I’d say the library is probably the place for you too, when you need to get work done.

As well as doing this university work I have also been continuing my job at the Enquiry Unit which I absolutely love – not only is it a great way for students to earn money but it also is just a generally great place to work, and I also have been working for the open days team. It’s great working for the university because you can work around your lectures and seminars and you also get to meet lots of your fellow students which you may not have done before. If you are a new or continuing student and want to see if any jobs are available for you at the university, check out: http://greenwich.prospects.ac.uk ---I would recommend it J

Right my lovelies, that’s it from me today as I have to get cracking with some work but I will speak to you in November – ah how is it almost Christmas already?

Speak to you soon, and as always if you have any questions on my blogs or the course I’m on, leave comments under and I will get back to you.

Xoxo

Laura

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!!!