‘Gap Yaahs’ – Are they really worth it?

You haven’t got the grades? You’ve always wanted to travel? You’ve decided after a year of university studies that it isn’t for you? There are many reasons why students take gap years, but are they actually beneficial?

A gap year for many is a chance to travel and see the world, and develop as a person. For some it is a year to take a break from education, earn some money whilst others are spending, and to decide what they really want from their careers. For a smaller minority of people, gap years are forced decisions. Either their A Level grades haven’t been good enough or after a year of studying the relentless lectures and deadlines have been too much.

Gap years aren’t hugely practical, however. Financially they are obviously not cheap (if you’re travelling) and for those who plan to go to university afterwards, it may not be entirely wise. Also, deferring your entry to university may leave you out of the loop, not just in terms of your friendship group, but you will be a year behind some of your peers when looking for future employment; by taking a year out you may lack a vital years work experience. However, on the flip side, your year out gives you something that stand out on a CV. A year abroad, or volunteering is excellent to boost your resumé in such a competitive world for postgraduates.

There are excellent companies that provide gap year experiences. Real Gap Experience, for example, covers all ranges of gap year experiences, and i-to-i which offers opportunities to teach English, work with wildlife, volunteer with children and building projects in locations such as Australia, Costa Rica, China and Cambodia.

Gap years then, are very much a personal choice. It of course depends on money, your education situation and whether it is the best career choice for you. However, if these things are in the all-clear then a gap year is well worth taking. After all, what will you regret more? Not quite getting that first job straight away? Or missing out on a great experience?

 

Exactly.

How to survive exam season: 6 useful tips (possibly)

January exam season is upon us. Universities are littered with broken students, not quite sure what time of day it is and where they live. Its a tough time for everyone involved, but it is possible to make it to the end with some simple pointers*.

1. Get all your crying done before revision starts. Nobody wants wet revision notes from all your tears. Crying beforehand also preserves energy that you will need to revise furiously
2. Plan your time wisely. One of the more obvious points but still important. Planning your life around revision, and indeed what you are going to revise and when is crucial important. Just as everybody has been lectured throughout their education, its not beneficial to leave revision to the last minute, and as monotonous as this message is, its very true.
3. Sleep properly. That means early nights and late mornings. Im talking about a good 13 hours kip. None of this “go to bed early to wake up early” rubbish, how are you supposed to operate at 9am? I mean seriously.
4. DRINK. Alcohol will help numb the pain of revision and make you much happier. No, in all honestly drinking lots of fluids (non alcoholic) and eating properly – not just snacking on mozzarella dippers – is key to revision and exams. You won’t feel, and I use the colloquial term here, “blegh”.
5. Make sure to give yourself rest time from revising. Working solidly for 9 hours will just wear your brain out. If you play sport, or just enjoy the gym then make sure you carry on during exam period. Exercise is perfect for the brain to relax. Even if you’re not into that, making yourself a cuppa and watching a movie works just as well.
6. Work hard. Preparation is key for exams but revising hard is still the most valuable thing you can do. Just remember to work hard but also play much harder when exams are done. Good luck!

*N.B. some of these may not be serious.

Housing Hell

Its November. You’ve been at university for two months. Life is starting to settle down; you know where your lectures are (just about), you’ve signed up for societies, decided which flat mates you like and dislike, and the chaos of Freshers Week is a distant memory as your university studies are in full swing.

And then the letting agents swoop. Like feeding time at the zoo, they bombard unknowing first years with pamphlet after pamphlet, normally followed with a quizzical response along the lines of “Next years house? But I’ve only just got here?”.

I agree that it is important to organise your living situation in advance so that there is no panic come the following the September, and I don’t mean to generalise all letting agents into one category. However, the intensity that some letting agents initiate proceedings can be quite daunting, especially to someone who is completely new to the concept of letting a house such as a first year student. The attitude of some of these agents can make the stresses of university even worse. All I suggest is that the people in charge of these companies deal with students with a little more sympathy as they embark on a scary experience, and perhaps don’t punish them for their slight naiveness.

Furthermore, the prices of rent for some of these student digs can be well over what an average student can afford. I study in Cardiff so I am very fortunate that house prices in the capital of Wales are relatively low. However, I’ve heard from friends that live in cities such as Bath who can barely afford to live anywhere near their university campus because of the enormity of rent prices. Again I understand that house prices all over Britain are on the rise but for students who have worked hard to get to university, is it fair for them to be living in sub standard accommodation because they can’t afford anything better?

I feel that letting agents that operate in university cities have a responsibility to make the house hunting experience for first time students a less stressful overall process. Let me know what you think in the comments!

 

Cardiff University Swimming and Water Polo Team ready for the new season

The new season of BUCS fixtures is nearly upon us and nobody is more keen for it to start than the Cardiff University Swimming and Water Polo Club. The season begins for the men and ladies water polo teams in November against Imperial College of London, whilst the swimming team kick off their season with the short course BUCS championships, also in November. Following a highly successful 2014/15 season for the Club, President and first team polo player Kate Thompson is looking forward to what lies ahead; “We’re aiming for the Club to continue to improve and develop within every training session and to maintain and, indeed, build upon the high level of performance that the Club has been achieving over the past few years.”

 

Thompson is not wrong about the high level of performance that exists within the Club. Last season, the men’s polo team made it to the BUCS finals, resulting in a hard fought third place before coming second at the UPolo finals in the last matches of the season. The men’s water polo captain, Daniel Picton, adds; “after a tough season of polo we were thrilled to win a bronze medal at the BUCS finals in Leeds.” The ladies team was no exception, making it through to the BUCS semi-finals and also achieving a superb second place at the UPolo finals. Varsity also saw another victory for the men’s team with a convincing 16-3 win over Swansea University.

 

The swimming team also put in a strong performance during the year making it into the B finals at the BUCS short course championships. Despite a loss at this year’s Varsity, the men’s swimming team captain, Luke McCluskey, remains in a buoyant and positive mood for the new year; “As captain all I can ask for is full commitment from the squad so that we can be as successful as possible in BUCS and hopefully reclaim our titles at both Varsity and the Celtic championships.”

 

Both Cardiff polo teams face stiff competition in the Premier South Division in the form of first teams from Birmingham, Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford and long-term rivals, Bristol. Despite some losses to the squad over the summer, Picton is confident about building on it’s previous success; “Having retained key players and welcomed some promising new freshers I believe it is well within our ability to achieve the same level of success as last season.” Meanwhile, the swimming squad faces a tough challenge in both the long and short course championships but with freshers trials coming up shortly McCluskey is positive about the squad’s chances.

 

Cardiff University Swimming and Water Polo Club not only prides itself at succeeding in its particular sports, but is also keen to emphasise the social aspect of its Club. It’s weekly socials are as important as every training session in the pool. Kate Thompson adds; “As well as aiming high this season we want to remain a social team that is inclusive to all it’s members and allows them to make new friends whilst keeping fit.”