Year 3...in a nutshell

So I have finally completed my third year at Cardiff, but I still have one year to go as I am enrolled on an integrated masters (MPhys). I would definitely say that this year has been the hardest yet - especially when it came to balancing project work, modules and extra curricular activities like netball and being on committees.

Instead of boring anyone who reads this with tons of text, I am going to summarise this past year with pictures and teen bits of text (for when I don't have pictures).

The academic year kicked off around September, and as I was voted onto the Chaos committee, it was time to recruit some new members.

By October, it was time to visit the Peak District for the Peak Star Party 2014! This year, it was decided that I would give a short talk about "my journey" as it would give an insight to how I ended up studying Astrophysics. I think it was okay.

November arrived and by this point my third year project had really started to take off. I spent days aligning a spatial/spectral interferometer and it was starting to pay off. Without spending too much time worrying about Physics, a spatial /spectral interferometer allows me to indirectly image objects whilst gaining an understanding of their spectral composition i.e for a star, I could work out what elements it contained.

December and January were a write off due to Christmas and exams, and I don't really remember anything interesting happening until the Easter holidays in April - that is when I visited Amsterdam!

By this point in the year, I had helped organised the most successful Annual Physics Ball ever! It was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in May.

Then exams happened again and removed the joy from life, but it was okay because Oxford University accepted my application for a summer internship...so goodbye Wales!

and hello Oxford!

What is quantum mechanics?

Well that was a fun exam. For the first time ever, I found all of the Maths straight forward, and struggled on basic definitions. Nightmare.

1 down, 2 to go!

Mid-exam update

1 exam down, and 2 more to go. In all fairness, I have had a really easy exam period, as my exams are so spread out. One major disadvantage to this is the fact most people will finish before me, and will even torture me with social invitations, or just keep me awake all night. That is my main concern, as an average night in the ghetto is noisy enough, never mind after the majority of its occupants have finished their exams. I will call security if it gets too noisy, I really couldn't care less if it ruins anyones night - be considerate. 

In other news, it's my parents 17th wedding anniversary today. I believe my poor Mother is being dragged camping, as my Father enjoys fishing. It's just fantastic that they're still together, as divorce appears to be so common these days. My sister has also finished school - which is terrifying. She's still got at least 12 exams left, but she no longer has any lessons. She is going to pursue A levels in Chemistry, Biology, Maths and IT from September. 

One weird update is that I decided to e-mail my primary school head teacher. It's well known that she is retiring from August, therefore I wanted to just say hello before she did. I genuinely received such a lovely response, and it's nice to know that she remembers me. Which isn't too hard, considering my name is on the big trophy that is in the school somewhere. I can't actually remember what I received the trophy for, but I remember that it was the big award every year, and that it was something I had wished for since year 1. 

I have a CUROP update also - I didn't get the placement. I am rather lucky though, as I think that I was the only first year to get an interview this year. I have always had a back up plan, and I think that it's actually going to work out. I will be spending my summer in the academic environment that I wanted to, and I will be making some money. 

I think this summer has the potential to be one of the best ever. 

I was cute a very long time ago. 

Goodbye exams, hello new modules!

Exams are finally over, and my new modules begin today. I'm really looking forward to my modules this term, as they sound a lot better than the Autumn ones. The 60 credits worth of modules that I get to study this term are:

• Electromagnetism & Waves
• Planets & Exoplanets
• Computational Skills for Problem Solving
• Mathematical Methods for Physicists II
• Experimental Physics II

It's safe to say that I really don't fancy another term of labs, but at least I don't have to do it next year (it gets replaced by Observational Techniques in Astronomy!!!).

Enough of the boring timetable discussion, I have a bit of an exciting announcement. In a previous blog post, the STEM ambassadors programme was mentioned, and I now have the date of my first activity. I'm going into a primary school to help out with an astronomy evening. This does involve talking about myself (eek) & about my studies, but I then have the opportunity to talk about the night sky and help the pupils find constellations. As exciting as the prospect of finally getting involved in outreach is, I am absolutely terrified. I'm not entirely sure how to prepare for this evening, but I do need to gather together fun space facts (if anyone fancies contributing). 

I would like to mention that I do receive (unofficially) my module marks early in February, so if they're not dreadful I will post an update. However as my first lecture of the Spring semester starts in 10 hours, I am going to have to try to sleep.

Goodnight.

I miss George :(

...and I am back in Nottingham

Now all my work is complete, and I only exams left to go, I feel a bit lost. I haven't had to revise properly in such a long time, therefore I don't know where to start. With A level exams, there were so many past papers available, you could just do them, revise where you struggled and do another. It's not that simple when it comes to university level papers. For starters, the papers all have a new format this year, so previous papers (if any are available) will not really help me as much as they could. Plus, background reading is a very important aspect of completing the harder parts of exams (apparently) and I know I haven't done enough yet. It's all a bit of a nightmare if I am honest. 

Enough of that boring nonsense, as I am back in Nottingham for 3 weeks! I've been looking forward to coming home for weeks now, and I am finally here. The only downside is the lack of desk in my "new" room, so I am forced to work on the dining room table. As my Mum isn't working currently, due to no fault of her own, she tends to be a bit of a distraction. This is with the new Dining/Living Room divide up. Also, George is a bit of an issue. He's a puppy, and he probably requires more attention than a baby. Nightmare. Yet again, I have ended up on the topic of revision, but I do have some other news. 

Somehow, I have managed to acquire a job over the Christmas period. I'll only be working every Friday and Saturday night until I leave, but this does suit me rather well. This does also mean that I will be able to earn some of my deposit back - as I have signed a tenancy agreement for a house for next year (also big news). 

I think that's all I really have to say for now, as I really should be revising (without George).

George trying to be really helpful.

The first of May.

There is just something about the beginning of May that I despise. I think it all comes down to the fact that my exams start in 8 days and I would just rather not have to sit them. If it isn't that, it could be because my lessons at Bilborough College end this month, and I do not feel ready for life after college. That is probably a serious issue, but the end is near and it is coming whether I like it to or not.

Usually I would attach an image, but as this is officially the most boring post I have ever written, I do not feel like it deserves one. (I can't decide if that is grammatically correct, my English is currently terrible)

I love revising.

If anyone has read any of my previous posts, you will notice that my general opinion towards revision is negative. Previously, it just felt so tedious and pointless. However, a few good marks later and I am feeling the most positive I have in a long while. It's either because of it going so well, or that my daily reading session is really helping to reduce stress levels. I did a bit of internet research and it suggested two main ways to help control stress levels - exercise and reading. I decided to start with the second option, as I am yet to come across a form of exercise that I don't hate. 

After that brilliantly short post, I must return to the books. I do intend to write a blog post later in the month, if I do find something interesting to write about. It is highly unlikely though.

I love my physics folder, even if it does currently looks worryingly empty.

It's been a while...

I know I said in my last post that I'd be back on the 26th, but I have been seriously busy. So now I'm going to make up for it with an extra long post; well as long as I can make it in 15 minutes, I don't want to miss Eastenders.

First topic of this post - exams. If I had to rate how well they went on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being absolutely dreadful, I would rate them like this:

• Core 3 - 5 (I forgot a Core 1 formula, who does that?!?
• Mechanics 1 - 3 (I may have started crying near the end because it was impossible)
• Physics 4 - 6 (I think I spent too long on Section A and had to rush Section B :( )
• Electronics 4 - 8 (I don't think I have got an A* like I wanted, but I've hopefully got my A)

To be honest, I don't think I have gotten the grades I need for university, which is a minor setback, BUT I still have my exams in May and June. It's not over yet. After that, I finally decided to go and experience a real night out. I went out, didn't worry about spending too much money and got in at 2.30am. It was so much fun. On the other hand, Electronics the next day was painful. 

Oh I have 5 minutes before Eastenders, so I'm going to quickly end this post here and write a longer one after. I haven't even mentioned Astrofest yet (until now).

Best episode ever.

Christmas is over, let the exams begin!

As the new year approaches, it's about now that I just start to panic about exams. They're just so stressful and I never know where to focus my revision. This block of exams are so awkwardly placed too!
My exams:

• 20th of January - Core 3 Maths
• 23rd of January - Maths Mechanics
• 24th of January - Physics 4
• 25th of January - Electronics 4

From the above, I believe it's obvious to see that they're a bit close together. Therefore I am rather confused and what revision I should do when. I do have a revision schedule, which I stick to, but I'm always worried that I am not doing enough. Also, in addition to all my work shifts, I don't really have much free time. I cannot wait for them to be over!

Anyway, enough of my terribly boring exam related blog posts, it's time to crack on with some Physics. At least revising for Physics is fun!

This is a lovely picture of Comey Lovejoy off the ESO website!

So I really should be revising right now but I am just not in the mood.

Currently not enjoying life due to my final exam.

This mechanics exam business is one of the worst things I have ever tried to prepare for! It's so hard to revise when all your friends have finished exams and are now enjoying life. I've already missed out of two Alton Towers trips, the cinema and I cannot attend Mofest (a free festival) this year also! Missing everything is just saddening and really doesn't help improve my motivation levels as I just want to finish my exams. You have thought with it being my last exam that it would be better - but not this time as it is so late! I do have one major thing to look forward to though after exams. Open days.

After much deliberation, my mother and I decided on the following open days (I'd include dates but they're irrelevant to the post and I don't know them off the top of my head)...

• Leeds
• Nottingham
• Leicester
• Lancaster
• Cardiff
• Aberystwyth
• Kent
• Sussex

I am also visiting UCL and Queen Mary both in London for masterclasses. Although I think I recently concluded not to go to one as I don't really have an interest in Medical Physics - just Astrophysics. I thought my list was too big but the open days are really spread out so the cost is also spread out. I wish some of the ones I want to look at weren't so far away! Although I do really want to get out of Nottingham and explore what England and Wales have to offer me!

The only other important updates really are the fact I have enquired about an Avanti scholarship, I still don't have a clue what to do next year for my A2s and I am yet to start my OU Module.

I am going to leave you now with my final words of this post and simply express how horrified I was when I discovered that Sarah doesn't know what a comet is. Here is another reminder Sarah, just for you! A beautiful picture of Halley's comet I believe.

My deepest apologies to Sarah...

lI just want to apologies to Sarah, one of the few to actually read my feeble blogging attempts.

GOALS OF THE MONTH:

• Blog more
• Revise more
• Smile more

Once these goals are obtained, my life should be improved. That is the main plan.

So since my last blog, I really haven't done much interesting apart from sat and probably barely passed some exams. It's not that I don't revise, it's just that I get into the exam and panic. These momentary moments of panic cause the brain to go blank and cost me valuable time! I really wish I didn't have them!
I will try and eradicate them but they're just part of my exam routine I guess.

Enough about exams...
I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT OCTOBER!
I'm off to the Peak District to a star party. It's basically a gathering of astronomers where they observe and share wisdom about cool stuff in the sky. I cannot wait! Although I currently have no one else to go with...I need to find someone by October otherwise I'll have to be extra social to avoid becoming an outcast. I'm only an amateur astronomer really, but I suppose this will give me an opportunity to ask lots of questions.

I really need/want it to be summer also.
37 days to go!

I'm not entirely sure where this blog is going, I have left it so long since the last post that I just have to much to catch up on!

My image of the blog is once again from APOD and is just what I hope and imagine the Peak Star Party will be like.

 

So today was the day when I felt life was over...

Being blissfully unaware of how close exams are was really enjoyable, if anyone owns a TARDIS and feels like taking me back a few weeks...I would greatly appreciate it.

I know the title of this blog seems awfully dramatic, but today was the day when the fact I have exams coming up truly dawned upon me! I was happily shuffling around Peacocks, tidying and organising, when I just suddenly thought 'wow, by the next shift I will have completed 2 exams' - this is when panic hit me. I FEEL SO UNPREPARED! Yet I know i've done a ton of work and it's not like I failed either Core 2 or Electronics in the mocks! I got a B and an A without any real revision.

Oh well. I'm going to go to sleep, pretend exams don't exist and probably dream about failing everything.

Brilliant.