I keep forgetting to blog...HELP

Once again, it's been many months since my last post. This is mainly because I have been really busy, but also because I do find it odd that people take the time to read this blog. Initially I just started it because someone suggested I should, and I never put much thought into what was being posted. 

Thanks to a lot of hard work, and a lot of luck, I have made it into my third year of Astrophysics. It's hard to believe that when I started this blog, I was completing my second year of A levels and never thought I could possibly get into a university as good as Cardiff. Now I am halfway through my degree, I have decided that it is probably a good time to start blogging more frequently. In the next two years, I have some tough decisions to make and blogging definitely helps. 

So goodbye for now, but I doubt it will be long before there is a new post.

ps, I am currently the Vice President of the Chaos Society at Cardiff.

That special time of year...

With what feels like day 5000/2647483 of revision, I am started to really lose interest in my modules. I just feel like I know most things - I probably know nothing - and they're no longer fun to learn about. By the 27th I'll be settling down into new modules, which sound rather difficult, and probably moaning about how hard the contents is.

Leaving A levels behind, I thought I'd finally got to where I wanted to be. University was the next big step to becoming a Physicist and it was really fun at first. Now I'm at the stage where it just feels like I'm constantly under pressure, learning a little about a lot just to pass an exam. I don't really feel like I know much about Physics, but I'm reasonably good at passing exams.

To say I haven't posted anything on  my blog in a while would be an understatement, but I don't feel like I have had anything remotely interesting to post about. Hopefully my second semester of my degree will be more exciting. 

At least someone enjoys revision.

Some surprising news

It's that time of year again - exam results day. After obtaining an average of about 74% for my first semester, I didn't really expect to be able to improve on that. I was pleasantly surprised:

Electricity, Magnetism and Waves (20 credits) - 82%

Mathematical Methods for Physicists 2 (10 credits) - 80%

Computational Methods for Problem Solving - 89%

Planets and Exoplanets - 86%

Experimental Physics 2 - 76%

I don't really know what to make of them, but they do bring my average up to 78.3%.

When I managed to get into Cardiff University, I really didn't ever see myself getting above a 2:1, and I doubt anyone else did because my A level results were pretty average for a Physics course. I was genuinely worried about not being able to stay on the Masters course (55% average and above). I suppose it just shows what is possible when you set your mind to it.

APOD never fails to amaze me.

Maybe I can do this whole Physics thing after all...

I am ridiculously happy with my exam results. Just for anyone who is interested, here they are:

Mechanics and Matter (20 credits) - 72%
Mathematical Methods for Physicists 1 (10 credits) - 66%
Mathematical Practise for Physical Sciences (10 credits) - 87%
The Universe from Particles to Galaxies (10 credits) - 85%
Experimental Physics (10 credits) - 62%. 

I'm still surprised by my lab mark, as I really did find it a challenge. However I must leave, as it's time to go (back) to the Taf (pub).

I can't wait for Astrofest tomorrow :)

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 :(

Finally getting an education...

Whilst freshers was amazing, I am so happy to actually be learning something. I must admit that it's taking a while to get back in to it, but I am really starting to enjoy Maths and Physics again. Although, I must exclude Tuesday from generally enjoying everything. Having 2 hours of lectures, followed by a 4 hour lab session, and after only 4 hours of sleep was traumatic. Students of House H need to learn how to cook, as I do not appreciate being woken up at 3:40am by the fire alarm. 

A few highlights from freshers...

The last photo illustrates how I intend to spend the rest of my year :)

I have also managed to finish off my noticeboard, so my room finally feels like my own.

I need to sleep now, as I have a 9am lecture, but I will update my blog tomorrow. I'm attending my first Cardiff Astronomical Society lecture at 19:30, and I am rather looking forward to it.

Hello Cardiff!

I want to make my first official Cardiff blog post interesting, but I haven't really got a lot to discuss and I am also very sleep deprived. I'm barely keeping up with being so social for freshers, and I am currently getting by on about 4 hours of sleep per night. Even if I do come home at a decent hour, you can guarantee someone will decide to burn toast at 4:30am. Not that I am moaning, I am having a fantastic time and also meeting some lovely people.

My full timetable will commence from Monday, therefore I need to start doing some work. I could barely recognise the double angle rule in the weird lecture-type thing that I attended today, so I am a little worried. I hope I will adjust this new system of learning (lectures, tutorials, etc), but I think it will take a while. Any tips for coping with lectures and lab sessions will be greatly appreciated :)

Meet my new textbook - Principles of Physics by Halliday, Resnick and Walker.

On a quick note, I have just noticed the new Hubble image, which includes the most distant galaxy. It is beautiful, but also slightly scary when you see that there are 5,500 galaxies in the image. Check it out!

08/10/12 UPDATE:

I forgot to upload a lovely (kidding) photo of me on the train.

Modules

As I have nothing to do, other than to pack, I have basically looked through the Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy website about 50 times. Therefore, I thought I would post my new modules on here.

For anyone who has read this blog before, you will know that I only managed to achieve a B in A-level Maths (which was a huge struggle). This means I will have to do the 'Mathematical Practice for Physical Sciences' module. In all honesty, I am very glad that I get to have some extra maths practice, and I am generally very excited about my modules. 'The Universe from Particles to Galaxies' has obviously caught my eye and I literally cannot wait to start. Hopefully, by this time next week, I will have enrolled at the Physics. 

I should return to packing, but I probably will continue to avoid it. Anyway, I have still got a few episodes of the Big Bang Theory to watch again. Sorted.

Ps, just found this on twitter via Matt Parker (although, he had retweeted someone else) -> Pi in the sky!

The joys of packing.

I can't believe it's almost September. I've been waiting years to start university, and it's finally just around the corner. It's genuinely quite hard to communicate just how excited I am about moving to Cardiff, studying Astrophysics and just generally becoming more independent. Although, there is one major con involved with moving - packing. Today was the first day that I actually put stuff in boxes, and it was horrific. After spending an hour trying to decide which books to take with me to Cardiff, I just (carefully) threw in the essentials. I don't know what to take with me, as I realise my room in Senghennydd is tiny, and I definitely do not have enough cardboard boxes yet.

Before I wrap up this tiny blog post, I want to make a quick promise. Recently, this blog has been dedicated to me moaning about UCAS, exam results and other nonsense. My original intentions were to make this blog a bit more about Physics. Therefore, I promise to make my blog more academically pleasing - once my lectures have started - and to also discuss current Physics news, whilst only including the occasional moan about life.

It's been crazy.

It's safe to say that the last few days have been insane. After finding out that I had in fact got into university, I got allocated my accommodation. I somehow managed to get the accommodation I wanted - which is fantastic - and have now started searching for flat mates. With social networking sites, it is surprisingly easy to find people studying the same course or living in the same general area. It's nice to know that I should be able to recognise a few faces upon arrival. 

I am so excited! 

Just because this made me laugh uncontrollably! Poor little Martian basalt.

The UCAS post.

15/08/12 

19:24pm For anyone who hasn't really read my previous posts, I shall give you the "low down" on my UCAS situation.

My intentions are to study Astrophysics (MPhys) at Cardiff University, and to do this I will need AAB (including Maths and Physics). My other subject, which should provide me with an A, is Electronics. My insurance offer is for the same course at Leeds University, therefore it has the same entry requirements. This makes it a very bad back up plan, but I shall manage. So, whilst I wait for midnight, I am going to watch the Sky at Night :)

22:49pm Arghsj\hfjakkcjsakjhjsalknzvhdaijL. My friend, Sophie, came over for a bit. This calmed my nerves a lot,  but now she has left I feel lost. I have out some food on as I feel sick (doesn't really make sense) and have started drinking copious amounts of tea. The only good thing is that the clearing vacancies go live in just over an hour. I want to check to see if there are still places on my course, as that will make me feel better. There were places available through clearing last year, so I am hoping it'll be this year.

23:26pm NOT EVEN TIRED. I'm currently wide awake, dancing to Spice Girls and drinking Sunny D. What is life. I might watch Dirty Dancing. 

23:37pm Just went on UCAS. I love this image, it's so precise :) 

23:46pm There are no words (click the image).

16/08/12

00:02am I am currently refreshing UCAS a lot. It's good practise for today really. It's already been a minute and UCAS hasn't updated. This is really annoying and now Spotify is talking about results. I cannot cope.

00:05am FINALLY.

00:07am This is a good start! It surprised me last year how many vacancies were available for Physics.

00:09am There are also lots of vacancies at my ideal university and on the course I want. Life is good. I'm assuming this list means they are available. 

00:56am I'm surprisingly sleepy. I am actually going to try and sleep. This will probably fail miserably and I will more than likely be back on here moaning within an hour. If I do sleep, I will have the "I HAVE FAILED EVERYTHING" nightmare and wake up in tears. That is one traumatic dream. Goodnight (for now) and good luck.

06:19am I don't think I have really slept. It was very on/off as my stomach is in knots. I feel so ill, this is horrific. I don't think I have ever been more nervous for anything before. It's scary that everything I have been working for,  over these past 2 years, comes down to a couple of letters on a web page today. Then these silly letters decide on whether or not I get to live the dream, at Cardiff university in September. I'm so nervous I could cry. I am also ridiculously tired. I would also like to sleep for a very long time, but I know I won't be able to until I know what I am doing. I might wander to the shop for a copy of the telegraph. I need to waste some time. 

07:20am As predicted, I cannot access my results. Bilborough College, I hate you. Let me on pretty please. 

I don't really hate you, I just need my results.

07:40am That was fast. Right. I'll let you see my results first.

So overall, thats A*A*BB in Electronics, EPQ, Physics and Maths (I think). Now...for UCAS track.

I'm off to Cardiff University.

Where does my time go?

I really do want to become a regular blogger, but I find it so hard to fit into my life. It's so busy! In between college, work and my poor attempt at maintaining a social life, I just don't get the time. 

First of all, so I can get it out of the way and never discuss it again - exam results. They were unfortunately rather poor and I definitely need better if I want to get AAB and go to Cardiff. I was hoping for better than ABCD, but there is nothing I can do now, other than resit and promise myself they'll go better this time. This way of thinking is the only way I can get through the next few manic months. I would like to emphasise manic, because I only have 2 months and 9 days officially left at college! This terrifies me.

Secondly, I still haven't discussed how great Astrofest was (what is the world coming to?!). I met Sir Patrick Moore, Brian May and many more. I bumped into John Timmons (Peak2Valley instruments) and couldn't resist chatting with Pete Lawrence. The day was almost as good as the Peak Star Party, but not quite. The conference aspects were fascinating. I really enjoyed the talk by Lucie Green about the current projects observing the Sun. Also, I feel like I have to mention Simon Singh passing a high voltage through a pickle, it was a strange event to witness. It was brilliant. 

This was a really special moment for me, I didn't know what to say to Patrick Moore. It's the quietest I have been in a very long time. Also, to the lovely person that took this picture for me (whoever you are), thank you so much. 

Who is that guy in the background? He appears to be posing for this photo also. 

Talking of astronomy and all things related, I have been taking a few pictures lately. They're nothing special and they've been taken with a very normal and boring digital camera. I do enjoy my Moon pictures though, my Physics teachers thought they were quite good too. 

 This is the (badly, hence the sky looks navy blue) edited photo I took in my back garden. I thought the plane (left of the image) looked cool. Orion looked beautiful that night.  

 Using the afocal imaging technique, I took this with my Samsung ES65 through my 130mm Skywatcher Newtonian reflector. Not bad for my first attempt at the technique. 

 This is just a zoomed and cropped version of the above image. I want to name the craters, but I am having serious issues trying to locate them on my rubbish Moon map. I like the detail highlighted by this phase of the Moon and I will take a few more as the phase changes. 

This is sadly my view of Venus. It doesn't photograph well with my camera or look very nice in my telescope. 

It took me a few shots to image Jupiter. I was quite impressed (even if the image isn't visually pleasing) with my efforts. I think it's the fact that I, with very little knowledge of cameras, can take a picture of something so far away.  

I love this image. It's not even particularly good, I just like how interesting the Moon looks. Just above my neighbour's house (the house on the left) you can see Mars! My poor camera even managed to pick out a few stars in the constellation on Leo. 

 During my ISS stalking phase (that will resume again in April), I took this of the darkest location within 1 mile of my house. It was a poor night for viewing the ISS because of all the clouds. It caused the Moon to look green in my image also. 

For now, that will be enough of my astro imaging attempts. However I'm not done with pictures for this blog post. 

I feel like I should discuss something which has recently taken over all of my life - my Electronics project. I currently spend about half of my total time in college in C3.1 and it is getting on my nerves. My project is some weird audio game thing that has taken me a very long time to build, which is surprising considering how small it is. It is finally finished!

 The finished masterpiece. I think I spent too long trying to make the wires look neat. 

This is an oscilloscope captured image of my input signal (yellow) being distorted (blue). I may have jumped around for several minutes after seeing this. 

Okay. Now I am done with images and sadly this blog post. I think I might try and spend another hour on my Electronics report before sleeping as it is due in on the 27th. I hate deadlines. I do realise that I normally finish my post with an image, but I think I have already included too many.

I'll try not to leave it so long between blog posts next time.

Long time, no blog!

I'VE BEEN SO BUSY! So I have barely had any free time to myself. By the end of October, I need to have:

• Sent off my UCAS application
• Send off S197 OU module
• Start my mechanics resit revision
• Sort a lot of things out
• Finish all my programming and circuits for electronics
• Start January exam revision

I feel like I have no time in the world to complete all these tasks, especially with the A2 workload. Dropping chemistry really does make me happy. I did enjoy it, but it would have been so hard. Doing the 3 subjects is hard enough, plus I have my EPQ (extended project) It's a nightmare I tell you, and Professor Brian Cox hasn't even tweeted me back. It's so sad.

I really can't decided my 5th university on my choices bit for UCAS. I change my mind everyday! It's either Kent or Leicester. I'm a tad worried that most of the universities I am applying for are really far away from Nottingham. Leeds is the closest, then Aberystwyth, Cardiff and Sussex. I don't think I can move out in less than a year. I find the concept really daunting! I've been 18 for almost a month now, yet I still don't feel like an adult.

I am really tired and it's only 9pm, I blame my A2s, but yes, here are a few lovely pictures to sum up my birthday! I went to Aberystwyth and Cardiff University :)

Early morning on the way to Aberystwyth, you can still see the moon if you look carefully.

The pretty coast of Aberystwyth.

My favourite place in the whole entire world! Cardiff Bay.

 Never trust your mother to take a nice picture of you to document the fact you were stood outside "Torchwood"

Leicester tomorrow!

I am really excited about going to Leicester tomorrow! The only down side is that I have an awful cold currently. It is clearly going to ruin the day and cause great difficulty when it comes to people being able to understand what I am saying as I sound awful.

Oh and I can't sleep.

It's 1.48am and I have to be up in about six hours. It's important to arrive early at an open day so you get a decent parking space, avoid the mad crowds and get to take leisurely walks around the university. Rushing around is the worst thing.

I really need to do some open university work soon as I have only completed chapter 1, when I should have completed up to chapter 4 by now. Oops.

As I have no idea how to end this post perfectly with a picture...here's one I took earlier!

Ruby.

A day in Leeds...

Found my Leeds photos!
I was a bit worried when I thought I had lost them but I haven't so it's all okay.

 Pretty view from outside some residency place.

 Another view from the same building.

 More student residences,

 The same halls of residence.

Inside the posh kids residency halls (£144 a week, I don't think so) 

 The more suitable accommodation :)

The best bedroom ever - this picture does it no justice whatsoever. 

 A weird graveyard viewed from the brilliant bedroom.

 My mother and I walked to some other halls of residence, lovely area.

 The road was a bit busier than it looks but it wasn't awful, I liked it.

 More lovely views on our walk.

 This is the bookcase from the posh kids house, how it ended up here I do not know.

 This is the church on the corner of the residency halls road.

My mother and I walking up the slightly inclined slope leading up to Devonshire Hall. 

Myself standing under a beautiful arch. 

These are the most gorgeous halls of residence I have ever seen, I would love something like this!

Definitely the best entrance ever. 

It was a wonderful green area.

 

 The library <3 I fell in love here.

 A small section of the astronomy section, wow.

The building to the left is the physics building, it was huge.

Those are all my pictures and as I just heard a glass smash downstairs, I should probably investigate.