Good-Bye Readers

On the 24th of October, 2013, it was Newman University’s Graduation Day and it was my turn to walk across the stage.  I must confess that I was a little nervous in the morning; my mum and Callum would say that I might have actually been more than a little nervous.  Yet, no matter how nervous I was I would never have chosen to graduate in ‘absentia’ and receive my degree through the post.  This was a day that had been set aside purely to celebrate my achievements.  I couldn’t have been more proud.

My mum and I had a girly evening together at a hotel on Broad Street the night before.  We had a luxury bar of chocolate and a bottle of wine to share.  The next morning we woke early so I could get ready and head off for the ICC as soon as robing opened.  I anticipated long queues that might take all morning so I wanted to arrive as early as possible.  Within an hour I had registered, robed and had my official picture taken.  I decided to go back to meet my mum at the hotel and all eyes were on me as I walked back down Broad Street with my academic dress.  I felt self-conscious as I was was walking down the street but I tried to put those feelings to the back of my mind; after all, I had earned the right to wear my graduation gown and it symbolized the completion of three years of hard work.  So I held my head high and carried on walking.

I entered the Graduation Hall with two of my university friends and took my seat with my course mates.  It was really heart-warming to see him again, although not all of us were graduating together.  Others had chosen to graduate in ‘absentia’.  Something curious happened when I entered the hall; when I took my seat my nerves lessened.  I stopped worrying about not knowing where to go as I knew and trusted that the ushers would guide me.  When the time came the usher beckoned my row forward and I’d already watched the progress of a few other students.  I was on the third row, second seat in, so my time very quickly indeed.

I got up and queued in front of the stage; when it was my turn I made sure to walk slower than I was instinctively inclined.  I approached the Head of History, Ian, who gave me a congratulatory smile.  He was clearly proud of his history students.  I gave him my name card and he read it out to the audience.  It made me very happy that he was presenting his students; it meant more to have someone who had been involved in guiding my education presenting my conferment.  The clapping started but I couldn’t hear anything when I stepped out to shake the dignitaries hand.  I walked across and looked out briefly into the crowd rather than dash across the stage too quickly.  After all, I’d waited three years to take this walk, I didn’t want it to be over too quickly!  It was one of those rare moments in life where everything external no longer existed.  I couldn’t hear or see anything that wasn’t on that stage, my sole attention was on my graduation.

When I was in the room just off-stage I noticed that my hands had begun to shake and I was experiencing a rush of some kind.  Blimey!  Graduating is powerful stuff!  A woman beckoned me forward and asked me to confirm my name before handing me my degree certificate.  I finally had it in my hands!  The enormity of the moment rested upon me and I just stopped and stared at it as the last history student joined me.  We found our way back to our seats and watched the rest of the Class of 2013 have their degrees ‘conferred’ to them.

The day was inspiring.  I can’t fully understand how I felt; this was my biggest achievement to date and I feel an enormous sense of pride.  It was really special to see my tutors again and they all seemed proud of their students.  We were encouraged to keep in contact and let them know how our lives are going.  I respect my tutors greatly, they are very intellectual people.  To see their pride was truly heart-warming and I almost had a ‘moment’, which means I had tears in my eyes at several points during the day.  I will miss them greatly.  Part of me really wants to be back at Newman, studying the subject I love with the tutors who challenge me.  Sometimes essays or exams may have been difficult and trying but I can genuinely say that I enjoyed the researching and writing of them.  I loved my course and I think a large part of that was down to the staff of the department.  It was satisfying to know that for the second year running the Newman University History Department has received a 100% Satisfaction Score on the Annual Student Survey.  It was very well deserved.

So I guess this is good-bye.  This is my final post as a Newman Newbies blogger.  I wish you all the best in the future and I hope you will be happy.  Keep working hard and you’re sure meet your goals.  If you want to follow my progress further, then feel free to read my personal blog.

Best Wishes,

Faye Stone

Thoughts on My Upcoming Graduation

I’ll soon be at the ICC, graduating!

I hope you are all having an amazing Fresher’s Week and are enjoying all that the Student Union have organised for you.  This week I’ve sent off for my graduation ticket and three guest tickets for my mum, dad and Callum.  Tonight, I’ve finally ordered my Graduation Gown, Mortar Board and Photograph Pack for the 24th of October.  It’s coming round quickly now and I’m feeling a sense of finality about my time at Newman University.  I’ve realized that this is a ceremony which celebrates my time at Newman University, but in order to celebrate it then my student days need to be definitely over.

My friend’s B’day party last year.

I didn’t expect to feel so sad but I’m finding that I miss all the excitement of Fresher’s Week.  I miss my lecturers.  I know that everybody has started Newman University this week and this has made me feel a little left out, which I didn’t expect.  I left university ready for the next steps in life, to meet new people and experience a new chapter in my life.  Newman prepared me well for life outside of university and I’ve adapted well so far, what with my new job and driving lessons.  Sometimes I still dream about the people I met at university and wonder what is happening in the Sense Bar.

Me, helping my friend during his Student Union Election

This chapter ends for me, but it begins afresh for a new generation of students.  Three years goes by so quickly so make sure you make the most of every minute.  This sounds cliche, but work hard and play hard.  Squeeze every opportunity for all its worth, whether it be a class trip, a society or an essay.  If you put your absolute all into everything you do at Newman then you will be where I am; graduating with the grades you have striven to achieve with plenty of happy memories to look back on.  Its wasn’t easy, but then life never is.  Live your life at university like this and you won’t have any regrets at the end of your degree. I wish you many returns on all you endeavors.  Remember, it isn’t luck: You are at university to put your destiny in your own hands.  Seize it!

Welcome to the Academic Year of 2013/2014

Argh! The rum is not all gone… yet!

After all my years within the education system, I still organise my life around academic years in my head.  I refer to anything that happened between Sept. 2012 and May 2013 as last year, and anything occurring during the summer seems to have been some hazy period of no particular description other than “Summer”.  This confuses other people when I refer to the events of early 2013 as “last year”, although my other friends who are still at university or have only just left understand what I mean perfectly.  In keeping with this mental calendar, I instinctively know that Fresher’s Week and the beginning of the academic year 2013/2014 is just about to begin.   It’s rather like how the ducks know that winter is coming and head south; I feel the autumn approaching and there is a change in the air that means it’s time to get my head back in the books.  Only, this year I’m not returning to university.

Last year’s traffic light party… I wore all the colours

I’m feeling a little conflicted about this.  I keep dreaming that I’ve come back to Newman University to do a postgraduate course in history and seeing everybody I know who is still there.  I’m not looking forward to Callum goes back to Plymouth, although I think I know when I’ll be seeing him next.  It seems worse this year because he is leaving for university and I’m here, being left behind.  Only it isn’t like I’m being left, really.  I have my own new experiences at work, developing my career and meeting new people.  Not to mention that I’ll still have some friends here, some friends I’ve know for years and some new ones I’ve met over the summer.

Me doing archery this summer at Ludlow Castle

So whilst it feels like some things have ended, like my university career, there are new opportunities to reach out to.  I won’t be joining the Freshers and Returners for the first time in three years and this makes me both sad and resolute.  It’s time to make new traditions.

Employed!

Remember my interview at furniture company in Long Eaton a few weeks back?  Well, I got offered the job!  I’ve been working there for a week now and I’m settling in nicely.  I work 37.5 hours a week, from 9.30am until 5.00pm as a Marketing Assistant.   I’ve had to develop a stable sleep pattern so getting up early in the morning is getting easier and easier.  This wasn’t too difficult as I started to wake early during my final year at university to prepare myself for the world of work and so I could devote more of my day to studying.

So what have I been doing at work?  I’ve research putting the company in local magazines, with the intention of expanding to a few none local ones in the future.  The company is based online and so ships to the entire of Great Britain, meaning that we are not really restricted to Long Eaton for customers.  I’ve built a database of magazine information and collected a few samples, as well as putting the company on a few online business directories.  Today, I’ve been updating the prices on the online store so that all prices include VAT.  I’ll be finishing that job tomorrow.  I also oversee the facebook page and can make general edits to the website if I need to.  The office is small and there are three other people who I share it with, as well as various laborers who pop in and out during the day.   It’s all working out well and I’m glad to be in employment.  Everyone has been friendly to me and I commute with the man who interviewed me.  It turns out that he lives only a few miles away from me so he offered to give me lifts to save me spending so much time and money on trains.  This gives me an extra hour in bed and lets me put more of my earnings into savings for driving lessons.

I soon realized after a few days that I had exhausted all of my “workplace suitable” outfits and therefore needed to go shopping for more.  This resulted in a slight spending spree (it’s ok, it was payday for my cleaning job) and some lovely new outfits which I feel smart in.  I’ve also invested in some sensible shoes that go with most outfits, as well as a pair of red heels that I saw on sale.  One of my favorite purchases is my new Paperchase diary, something I’ve been promising myself ever since my first payment of student loans and never justified buying for myself.  Now I have a cute little diary with owls on it which I can buy new inserts for every year so I can keep the same design!  I love it and now take it everywhere with me, storing all the minutae of my life within.  It’s very helpful.

As for driving lessons, I started to learn to drive a few weeks ago.  I look forward to my weekly sessions and really enjoy them.  I tried not to let myself get too nervous on my first lesson and succeeded for the most part.  In the upcoming months I’m thinking about getting a car to practice outside of lessons in and then to tootle around in after I pass my test.

Everything seems to be coming together in my life recently, although I am very busy and have no difficultly falling asleep at the end of the day.  I’m learning so many new and exciting things that I am thoroughly satisfied with my life.

Not Long Now

Newman has recently launched it’s Fresher’s 2013 page.  Make sure to check it out, I didn’t look at it much before I moved in and I attended two of the wrong orientation lectures before I got the right one! All because I didn’t read the Induction Timetable! There is information on enrollment (bring some ID), reading lists, financial advice and much more.  Also, check out the Fresher’s Week Activities on the Newman Student Union page to see what social events have been organised this year.

Newman University Campus from my first year window

So, it’s nearly time to move in for your first year of university?  Are you excited?  Or nervous?  A bit of both?  I can remember when I first moved into Newman University’s accommodation.  I was so excited to be moving to university; I’d been looking forward to studying for a degree throughout the final months of my A Levels and couldn’t wait to meet a whole host of new people.  I knew that living at Newman was going to be unlike anything I had experience before, and I was right.  It wasn’t until my parents had helped move me in and left that I became nervous.  Luckily, I didn’t have too long to sit alone in my room and dwell on my thoughts before a guardian angel knocked on my door to take me to the first social gathering of the week.  Before long, I knew my way around the campus and Birmingham.

So, do I have any advice for all you freshers moving into university for the first time?  Hmm, I’m sure I can think of something.

1. Sort out your Student Finance before enrollment week.  If you haven’t already started to figure out how you are going to be able to afford to do anything next year then you need to start now.  If you are applying for student loans and grants then you need to have your application done before enrollment if you are going to stand a chance of starting university with some money.  And trust me, you’ll want some money for those first few weeks as you buy in things you’ve forgotten and attend the various fresher’s events.
2. Make a list of all the things you’ll need, start squirreling away supplies and pack.  I’d advise that you write down the kinds of foods you eat at home, your toiletries, bedding and such likes then go out and buy anything you’ve not already got.  Don’t forget things to cook with and eat off.  Having a list will help you to avoid buying doubles.
3. Visit the local area at least one, if you can.  My parents live about an hour away from Newman so they were able to drive me to see Birmingham.  We first located where New Street Train Station was, knowing this would save me some stress when I wanted to come home for a visit.  Then we found out where the local bus route I needed to catch to Newman from the City Center was ((hint – it’s the 22 or 23 route on Colmore Row)) so that I could travel around with minimal stress.  We had a bite to eat and then headed over the Bartley Green to have a look what was in the local area.  This was really useful for me.

That’s about it for now on advice.  If you want some more then check out a similar post last year I wrote last year, which can be found here.  Don’t forget to check my blog next week as I have some exciting news about my life after university!  See you soon, and keep me posted on all the Fresher’s fun!

A Level Results Day

A little birdy told me that today is A Level Results Day and that university applicants all over the country are going to be undertaking the next steps to becoming a university student.  I hope that you’ve achieved the grades that you wanted but don’t be too hard on yourself if you haven’t.  A Levels are behind you now so focus on the future.  For those of you who got the grade you wanted, or even surpassed it, well done!

I can remember when I received my A Level results in 2010.  I needed an A-B-B to get into Leicester University, my “first” choice university.  My English Language Literature was two marks off getting an A and we sent it off for remarking, although it would have been too late to make a difference.  So instead of Leicester I was headed to my “insurance” of Newman University, although it wasn’t really an insurance offer to me.  After an Open Day, I’d pretty much decided that I wanted to go to Newman University because of its close-knit feel, proximity by train to my hometown and on-site accommodation.  I’d met Chris Upton, who later became my personal, placement and dissertation tutor, and really thought I’d fit in at Newman.  When I’d come to making my decision I’d agonized over it; if I could have split myself into two people and sent one to each university I would have been very happy.  So, I wasn’t too upset when I found out that I’d be going to Newman University.  I was more worried about some the practical concerns.

Making a tiny fort in Kerry’s room

One of the easiest concerns to fix was the issue of my student loans application, although that felt like a biggie at the time.  Log on, change of circumstances, different university, done.  Next!  I soon found out that my biggest problem was that I couldn’t apply for accommodation at both my firm and insurance university.  I’d sorted out accommodation out assuming that I was now going to Leicester and on results day I rearranged for Newman.  My mum and I spent a while trying to get through the Newman’s accommodation department and eventually spoke to Karen Karter, the accommodation manager.  She agreed to put me on the waiting list for a room, mostly likely shared until Christmas.  So I waited.  The waiting for her to call to confirm that I had a room was hard for me as I knew that I couldn’t commute to lectures from home, it would require a bus to my train station, a train and then another bus.  It would have taken approximately an hour an a half and this would have eaten into my studying time.  If I couldn’t live close to Newman University then maybe I couldn’t go at all.  Luckily, after a couple of weeks Karen rang me to tell me I’d be sharing a room with another girl.  Then two days later that I’d have my own room from the start of university.  I’ve always been grateful for Karen for her kindness and understanding during this situation.  If you ever have an issue whilst living in halls or one of university’s houses then do talk to her.  I guess there is a reason that I just found out that Newman is in the Top 10 Universities for Student Satisfaction.

Good luck with your own endeavors.  If you have need of them there are still clearing spaces at Newman University.  Give Newman a ring and see if they can get you on a course that suits you.

Check out some of my previous posts, specifically from last August and September.  I’ve written one on not achieving the grades you needed, preparing to move to university and a quick look at what’s in the local area.  Check out the archive of my past posts at the bottom of this page.

And on a final note, I had my job interview yesterday in Long Eaton and I have a feeling that it all went rather well.  More on that development later!

New Beginnings

It’s almost time for all you Freshers, and Returners, to descend upon Newman University for a year.  I’m sure that everyone is excited for the academic year of 2013/2014 to begin, and if you want to know what activities are being planned for then please check out the Student Union page for further details.  I’m sure that Freshers/Returners will be awesome, as always, but I won’t be attending this year.  I just hope that all the other bloggers at Newman Newbies will be prompt with their blog posts and tell all!  This doesn’t mean that the party life has to stop completely for me; this weekend Callum hosted a house party with a secret French theme that was quite the success.  No pictures were taken, unfortunately, so I hope you’ll enjoy this picture of me in a child’s ride instead.

So, what are my plans for the next week?  Well, I’ve just been offered a job interview for this Wednesday for as a marketing assistant for furniture company in Long Eaton.  That’s not too long of a commute for me, although I will need to buy myself a train pass.  At the moment I’m not particularly nervous, in fact I am excited to be offered this opportunity.  I’m expecting this interview to go far more smoothly than my last one and I’m comforted by the fact that I’m getting more positive responses from employers.  I suspect this has something to do with the fact that I have updated my CV to reflect my degree classification.  So, remember when you are in the midst of the biannual exam/essay seasons that it will all pay off in the end.  If you are moving into Birmingham soon and want a part-time job to support yourself whilst you study then it might be a good idea to start looking now.  Bars and pubs are usually good places for students to apply for; there are quite a few student bars in Selly Oak and Birmingham City Centre.  Retail is usually a good option for students too and keep an eye out at Newman itself for student employment opportunities.  Melissa Clarke, the Newman University Careers Advisor, will be able to help anyone who is looking for either graduate or part-time employment to support studies.

I’m also going to be learning how to drive soon.  I’m a bit of a late bloomer in the driving department, having never had a single lesson in my life despite having been given a “Learning to Drive Kit” and my provisional licence almost three years ago.  I’d advise you to learn to drive at some point whilst at university because I’m surprised how many companies list a full and clean license as a requirement for their jobs.  There have been a few jobs I’ve really wanted but couldn’t apply for because I either needed a license for occasional company travel or could not commute their on public transport.  This is also the perfect spot for me to give a shout-out to my friend, Charlii, who has just passed her practical driving test and is now a fully-fledged driver!  Well done, Charlii!

So, enjoy Freshers and Returners this year and tell me all about the gory details as soon as you can!  Then when the partying is over and lectures are in full swing make sure to get your head in the books to study hard!  You’ll be sure to reap the rewards when you graduate.  Talking of which, I still haven’t received my graduation pack yet.

Job Interview

I’ve been busy looking for a job recently and I’ve finally had my first job interview of the search.  It was for a company in Birmingham and I was quite excited.  It would have involved a daily train commute but the office was barely even five minutes away from New Street Station.  The position was for Events and Marketing.  Brilliant right?

I made my way in the morning to meet Charlotte at the train station and we traveled to Birmingham for the day.  It was nice to be back in the city I’ve loved for the past three years and I began to become optimistic.  I showed Charlotte around Birmingham, stopping in the Pizza Hut on New Street (only £6.99 for all you can eat Pizza, Pasta and Salad, perfect for us considering Charlotte has just learnt she is not a celiac).  We even had a quick visit to Pigeon Park before it was time to head over for my interview.

My interview outfit, albeit from a photograph taken two years ago when I brought this dress!

The interview, however, was not successful.  It turns out that the job description and title that had been advertised didn’t apply to the job I was interviewing for.  The position was more sales than marketing, working on commission and with the expectation of becoming a managing director in 1 year rather than the average 17.  Something didn’t seem right; the company got paid to rush people through intensive training and open their own offices to “start their own company” under the umbrella organisation.  The manager also stated that he expected 98% of those he hired to drop out due to the intensity of the job.  I was rushed in and out of the office so quickly that I wasn’t given the chance to ask questions about the position.  As I chatted to Charlotte afterwards in Cafe Nero, it transpired that Charlotte had interviewed for this company in Sheffield only it was under a different name.  To add insult to injury, the logo of Charlotte’s company was on the door of the office I was interviewing at but it was being paraded around as a totally new company!

So, what have I taken from this experience?  That an interview is a two-way street; yes, you want to impress the interviewer but they need to impress you too.  If you are going to be spending a large portion of the week in your working environment then it needs to be the right fit for you.  This company was clearly not the right fit for me, unfortunately.  Which brings me to the next point:  Do your research on the company you are applying for and trust your instincts!  When I arrived at the office I couldn’t find the name of the company I was interviewing for on the intercom.  It merely said, ‘Marketing Suite’.  To me, this was intentionally vague, as if the office changed names regularly and it was too much expense to create a sign to reflect each change.

What next for me?  I’m going to be doing a little more delving into the companies I apply for, reading through job descriptions with a fine tooth comb and no longer taking them at face value.  I should find a good job soon, especially considering myhttps://fayeatnewman.wordpress.com/2013/07/17/my-final-results/

Home Again

Me enjoying a coffee near to Notre Dame

I’ve just come back from my camping holiday from Paris.  Callum and I didn’t do the usual tourist attractions, although we did go to Notre Dame and the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa.  Mostly we stayed in the little town near the campsite, Rambouillet, some 40km outside of Paris.  The journey was very long, requiring a coach from Derby to London and then from London to Paris.  Our journey didn’t end there, incorporating the metro, then an hour long train out into the French countryside and a long walk to the site.  Still, totally worth it!  We had days by the pool and went on long walks.  The local cuisine was absolutely amazing.  In celebration of my final results, Callum and I enjoyed a meal in a local Crêperie, which was utterly divine fare.  I finally got to try French Macarons and loved them so much that I’m going to learn how to make them myself in the coming months.  We even ordered freshly baked baguettes, croissants and pain aux chocolat from the camp-site on a few occasions for breakfast.

My new favourite cidre!

What we loved the most was Café au Lait or espresso from the coffee shops and restaurants in Paris.  Both Callum and I are coffee lovers and we noticed that it was especially exquisite in France.  I would very much like to go to Italy to be able to compare their coffee habits.  One of the first things I did when I returned to the UK was to purchase a Moka pot to make delicious coffee for myself.  We also enjoyed the Cidre, with me coming away with English cider somewhat spoilt.  The flavours were so delicate and subtle, unlike some cider which leaves a heavy after taste in your mouth.  I even managed to drink beer and the only time I’ve ever managed to do that is when its mixed into a Snakebite.  Surprisingly, I haven’t filled out at all, despite all the rich food, because of my near-constant exercise whilst I was away.  In fact, I’ve toned up!  Lucky, or deserved?

A Dor Beetle

But enough about food, I’m making myself hungry.  What else happened?  We saw (and heard) some diverse wildlife whilst we were camping in the forest.  One of the most obvious critters around was the mosquitoes that descended on us as soon as we set up camp.  I ended up covering up as much skin as possible and still looked like a walking pin cushion!  I caught one extremely  cheeky mossy poking it’s proboscis through my clothes.  I thought that you weren’t supposed to feel mosquitoes, but I felt every single bite and consequently they never managed to get a full feed from me before getting unceremoniously swatted.  I saw some pretty cool things too, though, like really small frogs the size of a one pence coin that jumped really fast.  They were so cute and endearing to me, as were some large beetles called Dor Beetles.  I am normally really affraid of insects and spiders but Dor Beetles were actually very funny.  They were large and clumsy, but strong and able to push things things around with ease.  One night I couldn’t sleep with excitement when I heard something I thought at the time was a fox with cubs.  A deeper call was followed by high-pitched “yip yip yips.”  I wanted to leave the tent or put the lattern on as I watched through the tent’s air vents, but I knew it would scare the critters away outside my tent.  Since I’ve been home I’ve looked up French wildlife to see what it was and it could have been pine martens or gennets, but most likely not foxes.

But whilst I was away I managed to realise something.  I was feeling like my final grade, a first, was very lucky.  I no longer feel like it was lucky and I recognise it as my own achievement.  Even when I was going through some very hard times at Newman my tutors supported me and I worked hard.  This has resulted in me obtaining the top mark for my work and I am so proud of everything I have done to get this.  I am really looking forward to my graduation ceremony in October when I get to celebrate everything I’ve earned whilst I was studying at Newman University.  It was truly an amazing experience.  I don’t think my educational career is over somehow, I can see myself taking on a few language courses in the upcoming months in light of my European experience and my enthusiasm towards learning.  So keep your eyes on this blog to see what I get up to next, because I’m still pushing for big achievements.

Cal and I outside of the Notre Dame

My Final Results

I found on my final results yesterday on mynewman.  I got a FIRST!

All the hard work that I’ve put into completing my degree has been worth it.  I don’t have long to elaborate on how I feel because I have a busy day ahead of me.  I’m sorting out last minute preparations for France, what with hand luggage and the likes, and I have a Jobseekers Appointment with my supervisor at 1.30pm to go to.  I then need to get to Derby to catch my coach to London.

But, A FIRST!  I’m so proud of myself!  I put myself under a lot of strain during those last few months at university and it was all for a good reason.  It’s the result I wanted in my heart, but I was afraid I wouldn’t get it.  I’d made my peace with a 2.1, which is a really good grade.  I’m just one of those people who always pushes themselves to get the top of everything and if I don’t achieve it then I can be really disappointed.  In my A Levels I missed out on a A in English Language and Literature by two marks and knew that if I got a 2.1 in History then it would be so close to getting a first that it would be a repeat of that all over again.  I didn’t believe it at first, I thought I’d read it wrong.  Then the tears started to well in my eyes as I realised that I had genuinely earned a first.  I’m so proud of myself.

I’ve already updated my CV to reflect my grade and told all my family.  They are all proud of me too.  It doesn’t quite seem real yet, and it might not do until I get my invitation to graduate through the post in August with my degree classification included in the letter.  I’m just so over the moon that I’ve done this.  I really pushed myself and it feels amazing that all that effort has been recognised with the top grade!

As I was talking to my dad I realised something.  This has made it even more likely that I’ll be able to study History at Postgraduate Level in a few years time.  I hadn’t even looked at entry requirements yet as I don’t think I’ll be doing this for some years, but I’m pretty sure that with a first that I’ll be able to do it.  I’ve also proven to myself that I have the ability to study in even more depth.  I was worried sometimes that my intellectual ability had already peaked.  For now, I want to get a job and start building a career before I return to university.  Maybe in 5+ years I’ll return, but for now it’s the world of work for me.