This is handy! Really handy! It's 11:00pm and I'm in the computer centre. I have to give my project presentation tomorrow at 10:00am. This presentation is to convince "the panel" that I am on top of my work with my project, that I'm going to complete by the deadline, and that my project shouldn't be demoted to a half unit one.
So, why am I in the computer centre? Because my computer has decided that tonight would be a good night to die!
This is going to be fun!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
GAH!
Well, after a highly unproductive weekend which seems to have vanished into nothing, followed by a successful Young Enterprise sales today and Friday, I am now faced with the task of completing a mountain of work, the majority of which is due this week. I have to hand in/present/do the following:
Monday whenever I get it done - Young Enterprise Posters
Tuesday 9:00 - French Written Coursework
Tuesday 12:00 - Weekly Meeting with my Project Supervisor
Tuesday 16:00-17:00 - Man Young Enterprise Stall
Tuesday 19:00 - Photography Society
Wednesday 10:00 - Project Presentation
Wednesday 20:00 - Karate
Thursday 9:00 - French Oral Presentation
Thursday ~14:00 - Computational Optimisation Coursework
Friday - Wander round the Art/PhotoSoc Exhibition and look at my photos
Next Thursday I also have a piece of Compilers Coursework to hand in and at some point I also have to write a letter to France to try to get out of paying the council tax they're charging me for (€266 - more on that when I've got time!).
This is going to be fun!
(Oh, and I've run out of milk for coffee!)
Monday whenever I get it done - Young Enterprise Posters
Tuesday 9:00 - French Written Coursework
Tuesday 12:00 - Weekly Meeting with my Project Supervisor
Tuesday 16:00-17:00 - Man Young Enterprise Stall
Tuesday 19:00 - Photography Society
Wednesday 10:00 - Project Presentation
Wednesday 20:00 - Karate
Thursday 9:00 - French Oral Presentation
Thursday ~14:00 - Computational Optimisation Coursework
Friday - Wander round the Art/PhotoSoc Exhibition and look at my photos
Next Thursday I also have a piece of Compilers Coursework to hand in and at some point I also have to write a letter to France to try to get out of paying the council tax they're charging me for (€266 - more on that when I've got time!).
This is going to be fun!
(Oh, and I've run out of milk for coffee!)
Monday, November 27, 2006
A Reunion
I had a great weekend this, erm, weekend. Friday night we all got dressed up as Pirates for the "Pirates of the Caribbean" night at the union. As usual we got together for pre-union drinks (the music is always more palatable after some alcohol) and, as it was a Pirate themed night, someone had brought rum so there was an interesting combination of drinks on offer. Thankfully I was sensible - I've no desire to recreate my 18th birthday which, for those of you who weren't there, finished with me being unable to walk unassisted.
When we got to the union there was a steel drum band playing. Normally I quite like this music in a relaxing on the beach sort of setting. I'm by no means the best dancer but despite that I don't think a steel drum band is the best choice for a union night. We didn't stay long as a friend of a friend (who was visiting) had over indulged a bit and was feeling quite ill. So, we did the natural thing and went back to order pizza.
I had been a bit worried about Saturday morning. I was going on a trip with the Photography Society and had to be at the station for about 10:20am. I haven't been sleeping very well recently (going to bed at 3am probably doesn't help) and after having been to the union, I wasn't sure if I'd manage to wake up.
Anyhow, somehow I did wake up and made it to the station where I met the others and we waited for a train before running the length of it (in the pouring rain) trying to find a carriage in which the passengers weren't already squashed up to the doors. We did that twice but eventually got to London.
We were going to see an exhibition called "Twilight" at the VA museum. It offered 8 rooms displaying works by 8 photographers. As the name suggests, the theme was of photos taken at twilight and how the lighting portrays different moods and qualities to pictures taken during the day. Many of the works were excellent however, I found the exhibits themselves were too poorly lit in many cases to be able to appreciate the photos. Anyhow, it's inspired me a bit to go around and see if I can take any good photos at twilight around campus. If I do so in time I might be able to submit them for the upcoming PhotoSoc Exhibition at the the Student's Union.
When we'd finished I made my way to Stockwell to meet up with 2 guys (and the girlfriend of one of them) who I lived with in my second year. Due to my year abroad, I am a year behind them now. They have both graduated and have "proper" jobs and seem to be doing pretty well for themselves. I was glad to meet up as they are good friends and we don't see each other enough nowadays. In the evening, we went out and met with another girl we'd shared the house with. We picked up some curry and went back to hers to chat, eat, and drink beer. I had a great time catching up and reminiscing about the antics we got up to that year (turning the contents of her room upside down...and then putting it back again because we thought she might not see the funny side, mowing the lawn in unusual shapes, dropping a plastic duck out of the bathroom window,...). Around midnight, we left to catch the tube back to the guys' house where I stayed the night. We spent Sunday chatting and eating pizza and then I left in the afternoon to head back to uni. I really enjoy meeting up with them all but it makes me wish I was in their position
- earning money, living in London, having free weekends,....
So, after a good weekend, I'd better get on with the work I should have done....
When we got to the union there was a steel drum band playing. Normally I quite like this music in a relaxing on the beach sort of setting. I'm by no means the best dancer but despite that I don't think a steel drum band is the best choice for a union night. We didn't stay long as a friend of a friend (who was visiting) had over indulged a bit and was feeling quite ill. So, we did the natural thing and went back to order pizza.
I had been a bit worried about Saturday morning. I was going on a trip with the Photography Society and had to be at the station for about 10:20am. I haven't been sleeping very well recently (going to bed at 3am probably doesn't help) and after having been to the union, I wasn't sure if I'd manage to wake up.
Anyhow, somehow I did wake up and made it to the station where I met the others and we waited for a train before running the length of it (in the pouring rain) trying to find a carriage in which the passengers weren't already squashed up to the doors. We did that twice but eventually got to London.
We were going to see an exhibition called "Twilight" at the VA museum. It offered 8 rooms displaying works by 8 photographers. As the name suggests, the theme was of photos taken at twilight and how the lighting portrays different moods and qualities to pictures taken during the day. Many of the works were excellent however, I found the exhibits themselves were too poorly lit in many cases to be able to appreciate the photos. Anyhow, it's inspired me a bit to go around and see if I can take any good photos at twilight around campus. If I do so in time I might be able to submit them for the upcoming PhotoSoc Exhibition at the the Student's Union.
When we'd finished I made my way to Stockwell to meet up with 2 guys (and the girlfriend of one of them) who I lived with in my second year. Due to my year abroad, I am a year behind them now. They have both graduated and have "proper" jobs and seem to be doing pretty well for themselves. I was glad to meet up as they are good friends and we don't see each other enough nowadays. In the evening, we went out and met with another girl we'd shared the house with. We picked up some curry and went back to hers to chat, eat, and drink beer. I had a great time catching up and reminiscing about the antics we got up to that year (turning the contents of her room upside down...and then putting it back again because we thought she might not see the funny side, mowing the lawn in unusual shapes, dropping a plastic duck out of the bathroom window,...). Around midnight, we left to catch the tube back to the guys' house where I stayed the night. We spent Sunday chatting and eating pizza and then I left in the afternoon to head back to uni. I really enjoy meeting up with them all but it makes me wish I was in their position
- earning money, living in London, having free weekends,....
So, after a good weekend, I'd better get on with the work I should have done....
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Impossible
It's impossible. I give up!
I had previously never started a piece of French coursework before about 10pm the night before it was due in. I thought that I would try and buck this trend by writing the 600 word comparison of 2 newspaper articles today (today is Saturday, it's due in on Tuesday morning at 9). It's now after 2 in the morning and I've only managed 278 words.
I must stress that this isn't because it's difficult and I've spent the entire day researching and racking my brains trying to work out what to write. Oh no! It's just soooo mind numbingly dull and tedious that I've managed to procrastinate most of the day away into oblivion. I feel so uninspired to write anything that I've decided to leave the rest until Monday night. I even have notes so it shouldn't be too difficult. I'm just counting on the fact that I will have no choice about doing it then will mean that I will have sufficient motivation to put fingers to keyboard and type out some gibberish.
This wasted day has taught me to stick to tried and tested methods. Perhaps this is a lesson that I should not try to change life habits and get work done early.
I had previously never started a piece of French coursework before about 10pm the night before it was due in. I thought that I would try and buck this trend by writing the 600 word comparison of 2 newspaper articles today (today is Saturday, it's due in on Tuesday morning at 9). It's now after 2 in the morning and I've only managed 278 words.
I must stress that this isn't because it's difficult and I've spent the entire day researching and racking my brains trying to work out what to write. Oh no! It's just soooo mind numbingly dull and tedious that I've managed to procrastinate most of the day away into oblivion. I feel so uninspired to write anything that I've decided to leave the rest until Monday night. I even have notes so it shouldn't be too difficult. I'm just counting on the fact that I will have no choice about doing it then will mean that I will have sufficient motivation to put fingers to keyboard and type out some gibberish.
This wasted day has taught me to stick to tried and tested methods. Perhaps this is a lesson that I should not try to change life habits and get work done early.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Flat Forehead Syndrome
Being a student is a tiring occupation, however I've been surprised at just how many people have been falling asleep in class. I haven't done it...yet....although 2 hours of Computational Optimisation will make most people sleepy. What's more surprising is that people aren't just falling asleep in lectures, but also in seminars, when the teacher is only about 10ft away from them.
This reminds me, I need to get hold of some of those caffeine mints...
This reminds me, I need to get hold of some of those caffeine mints...
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
My Week
I've decided to rename the days of the week to fit my current lifestyle.
The week starts with:
And there we are, a typical week.
The week starts with:
- "Mad Panic Monday" as I realise how little work I've got done, and how much needs to be done, for....
- "Shitty Tuesday", which starts with a rubbish French class at 9, is followed by a 1 hour break in which I try to convince myself that i do have something to show my project supervisor, followed by my advisor meeting, then lunch, then 2 hours of computational optimisation in which I try not to fall asleep (but almost fail). Next is...
- "Weekend Wednesday" because "Shitty Tuesday" is over and, whilst I don't have any lectures I do have stuff to do. I will convince myself that I have a whole week to get work done before next Tuesday (whilst knowing that the majority will be done on Monday). This is followed by...
- "Tongue-tied Thursday" as I have Pratique de l'Oral at 9 am and will be tired and unable to speak French properly from staying up until 2 completing the preparation for the class. Next would have to be...
- "Freedom Friday" as the week is finally over (and it starts at 12). I'll treat myself to an afternoon "off" and do basic stuff like go shopping or do washing. This is predictably followed by...
- "Sleepy Saturday" on which I make no effort to get up before 12 as I'm a student and I'm tired. Finally,...
- "Study Sunday" is spent procrastinating on Facebook with my work laid out in front of me.
And there we are, a typical week.
Like getting blood from a stone
I gave up on the French last night. I read the front of the booklet we were given at the start of term and it said we just had to prepare notes ready to do the synthesis in class. There were 10 of us today. The lecture starts at 9 am which is never a good time for a lecture as everyone's tired. Nonetheless, yet again we had the majority of the class sitting in silence will I and 3 or 4 others made all the input. I can't say my points were particularly good but it got to the point where the teacher had waited so long for someone to say something that I just made any comment about the texts, no matter how poor it was, just in the hope of encouraging some dialogue. I could kind of understand if we were all in the 1st year and a bit shy about talking French BUT WE'VE ALL BEEN ON OUR YEAR ABROAD! We've lived in French speaking countries and spoken the language with natives. Surely it shouldn't be difficult to speak to each other. If she doesn't know it already (she's French), I'm going to teach the teacher the expression "Like getting blood from a stone" so she use it when she describes our class to the other lecturers.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Stupid French
I'm getting a bit fed up of my French courses. Sitting here, at 11:30 pm, the night before a French lecture, attempting to stick together 600 odd words about 2 articles I care very little about, I wonder what the point of these French courses is. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to be studying French, however the modules that I have to do offer very little...of anything.
I have 2 hours a week of French from 2 half unit modules: Pratique de l'Ecrit and Pratique de l'Oral, a writing and a speaking class. Every year the structure of the courses is the same. For Ecrit we have to read an article/text or 2 and write some sort of summary or synthesis by following a strict format. There is very little chance to express anything in the way of personal opinion and the courses offer very little in the way of useful skills.
The speaking class fares little better. The first 2 years were quite good as they involved analysing adverts in the 1st year and films in the 2nd. This year we are focussing on written texts but, as with the writing class, we are forced to follow a particular format in order to gain the marks.
Our coursework for this module revolves around a presentation on a text as well as a debate. The debate this year will be a bit of a farce I expect. There are only 3 people in my class. One person will "chair" the debate while the other 2 of us argue our various points. I can only hope that we have opposing views otherwise the debate will be very short!
The upside to having just 3 people in the class means we all have to speak. In this way, my oral class contrasts nicely with my writing class in which there must be about 16 people...and no-one speaks. We all sit there with our work in front of us and the teacher asks a question about it. I contribute in classes however I don't like to always be the first one to say something.
So, we all sit there until I or one of the few other contributors gets fed up of the silence and answers the question.
I'm certainly not brilliant at either of the classes but it's difficult to feel enthusiastic about these classes especially when the material is so uninspiring.
Ah well, back to work.
I have 2 hours a week of French from 2 half unit modules: Pratique de l'Ecrit and Pratique de l'Oral, a writing and a speaking class. Every year the structure of the courses is the same. For Ecrit we have to read an article/text or 2 and write some sort of summary or synthesis by following a strict format. There is very little chance to express anything in the way of personal opinion and the courses offer very little in the way of useful skills.
The speaking class fares little better. The first 2 years were quite good as they involved analysing adverts in the 1st year and films in the 2nd. This year we are focussing on written texts but, as with the writing class, we are forced to follow a particular format in order to gain the marks.
Our coursework for this module revolves around a presentation on a text as well as a debate. The debate this year will be a bit of a farce I expect. There are only 3 people in my class. One person will "chair" the debate while the other 2 of us argue our various points. I can only hope that we have opposing views otherwise the debate will be very short!
The upside to having just 3 people in the class means we all have to speak. In this way, my oral class contrasts nicely with my writing class in which there must be about 16 people...and no-one speaks. We all sit there with our work in front of us and the teacher asks a question about it. I contribute in classes however I don't like to always be the first one to say something.
So, we all sit there until I or one of the few other contributors gets fed up of the silence and answers the question.
I'm certainly not brilliant at either of the classes but it's difficult to feel enthusiastic about these classes especially when the material is so uninspiring.
Ah well, back to work.
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