Results Day: First Year

...okay, it was yesterday but it was all a little hectic! This is just a little post to say well done to everyone who passed their first year at university, keep going for the second years and congratulations for every third year who is graduating this year. Hard work pays dividends in the future, as much as it doesn't feel like it now, it all gets easier.

For those who have resits this summer, you're not alone. I've still got alot of work to catch up on this summer from last term so you can join me in rants and tears. Just bear in mind what the end result is. That is whats keeping me going. WE CAN DO THIS :)

Those who were maybe not so successful or who have decided to drop out: this was not your path to take. You will get to where you want to be in life eventually if you work hard enough for it. Have faith in yourself. The prize will be ever so sweeter at the end of the tunnel.

To all of my friends and family finding out their exam results now or soon (A levels and GCSEs) I am very proud of you regardless of the results. The few who already have their results worked their arses off and got the mark they rightfully deserve which I am so happy for you. I'm a lucky girl to have such smart people surrounding me. 

Hopefully this is a positive and uplifting post to you all. Although many emotions must be going through everyones heads, I thought this would be a sign of support to you all. Keep smiling!

xoxo

General Update

Image: weheartit

Happy Friday Everyone! Now if you can remember back to the beginning of the year I did a post about my New Years resolutions. One of the most important ones I forgot to add was my need to drive (six months too late)! Obviously living in Central London meant that there was no point in learning until I got home to rural East Bergholt, stuck with a lack of public transport and a little too much reliance on my driving friends. And so today began the start of my driving journey (cheese line, I'm sorry I had to do it). I had some lessons on and off over the past few years but this time, my lessons are relatively intensive until I pass. I've yet to pass my theory (attempt.....) so it's booked in good time for me to revise for it and my instructor seems to think I could pass my practical faster than I first realised...SCORE! My current aim is to be passed by August or at least the beginning part of the month. I'll keep you posted on my progress, fingers crossed for a first time pass!

Monday saw me taking my lovely friend Della to court for the first time. No she wasn't on trial, but she had not been locally to court before so we went to Ipswich Crown Court to watch a couple cases and boy were we lucky. We could choose between a double murder, class A drug smuggling or a brothel raid run by some Polish immigrants. Who would have thought Suffolk would have so much going on?! 

For anyone interested in watching court cases, all courts have a public gallery for individuals to watch although there may be restrictions on what you can see (usually family cases) but you can always ask at the desk and they're usually more than happy to help. If you're a Law student, I highly recommend going to court as often as you can to catch a glimpse of the sort out work you will be carrying out when you're fully qualified.

Quick tip: If you wanted to watch a juicy case (not to be too crude, remembering these are peoples lives and should be respected) then you are better off going to your local Crown Court over a Magistrates Court as indictable offences are first heard in the Crown Court. If you are able to get to London, definitely go to the Royal Courts of Justice and the Old Bailey for the high profile cases. Remember to treat the courts with the respect they deserves which means dressing appropriately (doesn't need to be smart just don't keep flesh to a minimum). You can also see Court listings for the Royal Courts of Justice online before you go.  

We decided on the double murder case which we watched all day until the court adjourned. Please bear in mind court isn't exactly how television depicts it. The beginning of a case is usually just statements read out and the foundation being laid out for the jury to understand the case better. Don't expect fireworks every time you walk in.

Afterwards, we went to Zumba, my first time; shocker for a dancer I know, but I really enjoyed it! The class was packed but it was a brilliant workout, I was sweating afterwards which is always a good sign. My gym offers zumba without having to pay an extra fee but I'm enjoying it locally and with one of my best friends so I think I'll stick to spin, pilates and a standard workout at my gym. It sounds like a lot but I'm missing Cheer much more than I thought I would and I need to lose the stone and a half I put on at uni (lost half a stone so far, one more to go!). Activities such as pilates also aids flexibility which I want to work out and I need a little more strength for stunts. I wanna fit in a tumbling class at some point but we'll see how much time driving lessons and work take up before I start anything else new.

And so we are up to date with my ever so exciting life...pun intended. I've got Hackney Weekend to look forward to on Sunday and I've got a weeks worth of work experience at 1 Hare Court starting the 25th so I'll keep you posted on how those go. That's not to mention my work experience at Birkett Long the week after, Wireless Festival and the dreaded lead up to exam results. Hopefully I'll have good news to give you on all fronts but still, I'll keep shtum until then...

xoxo



SEE YOU LATER FIRST YEAR...hello resits!

So I've finally finished my first year of uni! It was much better than I thought it would be. I've made a really good group of friends since going there, especially the people on my course and my lovely Mermaids with a sprinkle of extra lovelies to include! What makes it even better is that we still have another two years to go! There have been good times and some less than good times, but let's hope for less of the latter this following year. Celebratory drinks seemed to span well over three days (but why count my happiness in numerical form?) but they were well deserved.

I know for a fact I will have a few resits to look forward to in August due to missing so much last year (no freakin' way am I retaking the year!) but I'm hoping that my friends who I know have worked their arses off sail through this year comfortably...if not, I'll be annoying you with my endless pleas for help!

To all my friends and family at home, I'm soooo excited to see you all and spend the summer making cocktails in the sun (a girl can hope) and celebrating the many birthdays coming up!

I wish everyone the good results they deserve and hope you all have a great summer, I know I will!

Heres some select few photos from the past few days...no apologies, they're gold!





xoxo

Dear 16 Year Old Me

I am aware I haven't blogged in a long time with exams at the moment so please bear with me, I will be up to my blogging self soon! However, I saw this tag on BubzBeauty blog and she was so refreshingly honest that I thought I would do the same.

Dear 16 year old me,

Well you've gone and fucked up your knee again! This is a common reoccurance throughout your life, don't worry so much about it though, you do rugby (yes, full contact) at sixth form and start cheerleading at university so don't let it hold you back now. Although I will admit, the full leg cast they put on you is horrendous to wear and you'll go around school in a wheelchair (note: do not let anyone push you on it!)

Don't fret about having a boyfriend now. I know the comments that a certain person made a year previously still runs around your head but it's not true. Instead, she ends up doing everything she told you not to do and you have a perfectly intact reputation in that sense. Keep it up. Keep spending time with ALL your friends,  believe it or not, you will keep in contact with a good chunk of them even whilst you're all on separate sides of the country. You will need them and they will come with arms wide open. Cherish that. Ohh, and that slimey ex of yours will falsify something that happened at a party with you. He subsequently falls of the face of the social earth so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Prom will be the most amazing night of your 16 year old life. No, you never find that red dress you were after, but instead find the most flawless blue dress that you fall in love with instantly and makes your Dad emotional even looking at you in it. The photos with all your friends are gorgeous and you dance the night away into the early hours. You become very emotional at the thought of leaving your friends, theres no need, you've still got the important ones.

Your fear of exams will continue to haunt you. Revise more during your GCSEs PLEASE! You were so lazy and although you got good grades, you know you could have done better. Same goes for your A levels. The internet can be a cruel mistress!

Stop buying cheap make up. Save up your money and buy decent foundation. You start to do this during the end of your year but it'll save you the freak out you had with your Mum about your skin.

Stop dicking about with your hair. Go to the hairdressers and KEEP going! Mess with your fringe anymore and you'll look stupid.

You would kill for the legs and abs you had at 16. Love them & your awesome back off!

Keep dancing, in fact never stop. You love it and it's a good release for you.

You have an boyfriend in your second year of college, he's a dick and breaks your heart. It's the best thing that could've happened to you. You learn your true self worth. Never lose that. Your boyfriend now treats you like a princess regardless of how bitchy and ratty you are.

Stop giving your Mum & Dad a hard time. They're trying their best, they aren't perfect but they love you unconditionally and would do anything for you. Same goes for Ben. You're lucky to have them.

You will always hate being told off. Won't ever change you goody two shoes.

You hate that girl now, she fucks off back to wherever she came from after school. You never hear from her again. Don't hate another person again. It's tiresome and bad to hold grudges.

Tim & Phoebe remain big parts of your life. You couldn't image not having them in your life. Don't ever take their friendship for granted. When I say they are there for you, they literally are 100%. You will never be able to repay their friendship.

Same goes for Alice, she stays as a very good friend to you throughout. Keep her. She's a rock to you.

Stop being scared to do things on your own. You thrive in those situations, it's just that initial fear that puts you off. Keep going. You'll be fine.

You're a good person 16 year old me but you make mistakes. Learn from them, don't beat yourself up.

Keep going, you're doing okay!

Love the 20 year old me

xoxo

TAG: 10 Random Facts About Me

I didn't want my first post to be awkwardly fake or impersonal so what better than a tag post? Some may be obvious, others a little less so. Regardless, they are truthful as I promise to always be on here (brutal honesty will probably end in my demise). Nevertheless, enjoy!

#1  My name is actually Serena. My Mum wanted to call me Roisin after her best friend who died in a car crash. My Dad wanted me to be called Serena after my aunt. In the end Dad snuck off and registered me as Serena, but Mum insisted on calling me Roisin. It means 'little rose' in gaelic.

#2  I'm a 1st year LLB Law student at the University of Greenwich, which I adore.

#3  I used to play rugby. No, not tag rugby. Full contact rugby. And we were fierce!

#4  I have a boyfriend called Sam and we've been together 10 months. He hates photos, but I love him :)

#5  I'm a diehard Labour supporter and member (much to my boyfriend's dismay).

#6  I adore all things shabby chic & original. My Dad and I used to restore old furniture from second hand shops and car boot sales.

#7  I have been and always will be a Daddy's girl.

#8  My heritage is very mixed. My Mum is Kenyan, Seychellois, Indian and Dutch. My Dad is Irish. I call myself the United Nations.

#9  Born in London, bred on the border of Suffolk/Essex. Spend most of my time in Essex and am proud to consider myself an Essex girl.

#10 My family and friends are my world.

TAG! You're it.