My attitude has definitely been better this semester

Looking at my last post is interesting. My attitude has definitely been better this semester (and I know this because I’m not nearly as stressed) but there is no doubt that it has not improved as much as I’d have liked it to. Despite what seems to be some kind of apathy complex, I’ve pushed myself to lighten up, get back in touch with people, and work (to some extent).

The second half of this year feels like it’s taken forever. I definitely wouldn’t say this was a bad thing – though it would be better if I’d managed to pull my finger out a little further – but the entire year is now coming to an end and tomorrow brings my first, and easiest exam this time round. The exam, databasing, is a fairly straightforward affair compared to, say, artificial intelligence, which I currently do not wish to discuss. Five exams later, I’ll be free for a pretty minimal summer holiday period before being rushed off to IBM for a year-long placement.

About the placement… I’ll be doing programming and IT support-type things from mid-July til the same time next year. Some on our course will be doing placements over the summer – heck, one of my housemates next year will be – for the massive CV boost that comes hand-in-hand with the experience of working in industry. As much as the university provides (including several opportunities to land a placement like this), academia can only provide you with a certain degree of employability compared to having worked in a real industrial environment – and it’s for this reason that they choose one of these positions. Anyway so – I will be taking the entire year out, effectively deferring my studies for a year, but also (sneakily) meaning my graduation will be in line with my coursemates’, most of which are doing the MEng course, which lasts four years, as opposed to my BSc’s three. Hope this makes things clearer to anybody considering taking one of these!

I will definitely make the effort to post after exams – and I really hope this happens, but there will be a lot of stuff going on, including a cheeky holiday to Kent with the family – but honestly the main thing I’m buzzin’ for is SHADE, i.e. Southampton’s Hottest All-Day Event, which will be taking place back at my old halls of residence, Glen Eyre. Still giving that place a visit every once in a while, primarily to see the fantastic people in the first year I’ve met over the past few months – and also getting in a bit of DJing up at Glen Bar whenever possible. And also eating Q-burgers which are the best thing ever (you’ll need to go there to appreciate these.)

Toodles

D.T