Moving tomorrow!

Hello everyone,
I'm currently sat in the last space of floor left in my room, listening to the request show on Radio 1 and surrounded by several bags and a box of various utensils and such required for self-catered life. Wow. I don't think it's quite sunk in that I'm going to live in a different place from now on! I feel ready and I'm excited about it, but the proximity to leaving time is now preying on my mind and nerves are setting in! I'm sure they'll die down once I arrive though. It's weird thinking some people are actually there right now; it makes it all more real.
The month since results day has been really good, and though it's been a hectic period (student banking, ugh), I've found time to find some of my flatmates and have a last goodbye with friends, which is great! Also I've been checking out the stuff to do during Intro Week- what a huge range! I'm spoilt for choice really! All looks fab, Intro Week should be fantastic.
So, I hope everyone had/has a smooth move-in day, and good luck for the following days! :)

Some wax, some apples and a whole lotta travel

I so haven't been regular with my posts, and even though I'm not the only one, it's still rather bad on my part. Something about responsibility and all. See, I've been lax, just as that last sentence showed. Saying half the things, eating up the other half. It's typical of me during my vacations. And this has been some vacation for me, arriving in the UK and all. I mean, I've flown to Malaysia once, but apart from that, I've never really been outside Asia. So, geared up for one of the longest flights I've ever endured, I set off for London last Sunday. The first thing I was amazed at upon landing was just how bloody green it was. I loved it! I mean, I had this image of London, a totally flawed one, with massive sky-scrapers and all, but this was much the opposite - green, beautiful, romantic (pity my girl wasn't here to enjoy that last bit). And then I realized just what jet-lag truly is. I'd heard of all this imbalance in sleeping patterns and suchlike, but I never realized it was this disorienting! I went through Sunday in a bit of a haze, only able to half-enjoy the BMW ride to our temporary abode. I'd had lots of sleep in the plane during my 12 hour trip, but I was still lost, not sleepy though. It was all rather disconcerting.
After a couple of days of being bogged down with a little flu, we took a one-day travel-card and went through London ourselves (dad and I, don't ask. He insisting on coming along and incredibly was here even before me thanks to people inviting him to give a few talks). It was, honestly, really really awesome. We saw the usual - London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and all, but we really loved St. James' Park, quite the beautiful royal park. Then we headed to the Wax Museum where I fulfilled one of my crazy fancies - pose with Miley Cyrus. I know what you're thinking, and you're right. I'm crazy about Miley. You can puke if you like, but if my girl-friend can come to terms with it, then anyone can. 
The thing I was most amazed by was the number of us Indians around. It was incredible! It's like we are slowly and surreptitiously invading London! 
Anyway, from wax to apples and I concluded some 'much-needed' education-shopping by using my students' discount to avail of a much more reasonably-priced MacBook Pro. What with Video Editing and all that's needed for my course, it was just the perfect buy and I'm still drooling all over it. Not literally. Yet. 
That's it from me at the moment as I'm all packed and ready to go to Sheffield. See y'all soon!

-- Arya Yuyutsu

Whoops

So I have a confession to make...I kind of, sort of, maybe forgot all about this blog. I've been away - in such exotic locations as Scotland and France - and since results day the list of things that needs to be done before I go has been increasing at an alarming rate. Suddenly it's the day before I leave - how did that happen? I am currently in the stage of packing where the amount of stuff I own seems to have doubled and I'm a bit worried that I'll have three times the stuff of everyone else. My terror has temporarily been replaced by excitement, though, which is nice.

Anyway, I'd better get on with the mammoth task of cramming my life into a carful of stuff. Good luck with the move everyone and maybe see you in Sheffield!

Almost there

Hey

It's been a busy summer. Spent most of it working but luckily managed to have fun too. I did something I have wanted to do for years - went skydiving with my friends. Not from 4km with an instructor but individually from 1km. I never really liked the idea of a tandem jump, I prefer to be in control, not just a passenger. The experience was just a-m-a-z-i-n-g and it's true what they say - when you land, you can't wait to get up there and do it again. Last weekend I did something crazy as-well. There is a tradition for Tartu University students in Estonia - they have to walk over a bridge's arc before they are considered true students. I felt like I had to do it as-well before coming to Britain. And I have to say that it took even more guts than skydiving. At its highest, the arc is about 30m from the pavement and to my luck a couple had decided to sit there and admire the night lights. The path was pretty narrow so I had to step over them to make it across and when I did, I felt like I was finally ready for college (: .

Currently, I am writing a list of things to bring and I've got a question - Should I bring a suit? Are there any black-tie events? There is of course the ball but I read that it would be better to wear a tux to that event...


See you soon
Ekke

The unsuccessful one.

Well, it seemed likely that one of us bloggers would be unsuccessful getting into Sheffield and it just happened to be me. 
Unfortunately I missed what I needed by one grade in the subject specific requirement but, fortunately, I have been accepted by a university who wanted a higher offer. It is very, very complicated but at least I am lucky enough to have gained a place at university with so many students missing out.
I was, to put it lightly, gutted that I didn't get in. I had planned everything from my transfer in work, to my accommodation and travel arrangements. It all seemed sorted but life doesn't work that easily and I've learnt that. 
To all you who gained your places, congratulations and I hope that you have an amazing time!
For those, who maybe didn't get in, but don't want to advertise that, I wish you luck in whatever you choose to do now.
I'm living with the philosophy that things happen for a reason. 
Good luck everyone and goodbye (:
Alyson xox

Congratulations

A big congratulations to everyone who met the grades and got in, and for those of you who didnt i hope you've managed to sort something out.
This morning has been a massive relief, especially after having to work a torturing shift right before results. Now its time to enjoy the next few weeks as i did the first few weeks of summer. For me it's a big celebration at V fest (like you Hannah, hope you have a great time) this weekend. Hope you all enjoy the next few weeks and see you in September.

Results and the remaining days...

So, it's actually happened - what a relief! Last night was a worrying time I can tell you! Besides those with unconditional offers, I assume everyone else was going through some element of dread just the same as me. The weeks that have passed between the exam period and now have increasingly been filled with talk of results day - from friends, family, and in the media, which for me made it even harder to not think about it, even though I was trying my best! I'm guessing a lot of people also had streams of Facebook status updates throughout the evening lamenting it just like me :P I set my alarm for 7 and logged onto UCAS Track as soon as I could, it took a couple of goes but eventually I came across the magical words of 'Congratulations,' etc. This accounted for the rest of the morning being fairly relaxed for me, as I knew that whatever I'd got I would be pleased with it. I met the offer from Sheffield (ABB) and the stress is all over...for now!
I imagine the next month will be a hectic one, what with sorting out finances, documents, and everything else I need for moving away. Whilst I'm sure there'll be some days I'll be nervous about the completely new environment, overall I'm really excited to get to university :D
I aim to fully enjoy the rest of the summer - my birthday is coming up in a few days and I'm going to V festival at the weekend. What are you doing? :)
Congratulations to everyone that got the grades they wanted, and best of luck to people in clearing.

It's the final countdown...

I've been delaying a new post for as long as it seemed possible but as results day draws nearer I thought I'd share my feelings.

So, like thousands of pupils around the country I'm waiting for my A Level results. I have a sinking feeling that I will be more than disappointed - I will be heartbroken. 
Sheffield is my only choice, you see, my insurance has a higher offer and I'm not that fond of the idea of going there anyway, so it's Sheffield or nothing.
I think that if I don't get in, I'm going to have a total rethink about what I want to do with my life. It's crazy to think that all your years of hard work and studying in a school environment has ended and you will find out if you worked hard enough on Thursday. 
I've been trying to decide whether I will check UCAS track in the morning or just get my results at sixth form, but I've come to the conclusion that if I look on UCAS track at least I will be prepared to face my teachers if I have failed or ready to celebrate if I have passed. 
I will try and write Thursday or Friday about how I did, even if it isn't good news.
Good luck to the rest of you, I hope you achieve what you want.
Alyson 

Counting down the days...

Well, it actually only feels like two minutes ago that I stepped out of that English exam with a whole summer of freedom ahead... Results day was a lifetime away and the sun had been shining for weeks... 

But as always, things didn't go as planned. in the north east of England the rain has never stopped and in between different friends going on holiday and work experience the summer has flown. And whadyaknow i can now count of the days to results on one hand :S 

Although like most people i have been feeling slightly sick at the very thoughts of opening that envelope, i am now at the point where i can't help but want to know what my results are and plan the rest of my year accordingly. After receiving facebook invites to freshers week and freshers fair with attending, maybe attending, and not attending buttons, i just wish i could reply and join all those others who are attending. 

So, good luck everyone, hope you all get the results you want, and if not remain positive and go with the idea that you were always going to end up in the same place, you are just taking a different path. Things will work out in the end, i'm sure of it :)

It's the hope that kills you...

To use part of a phrase bandied about during the World Cup, the hope is always the thing that gets you. In anticipation of, as Emma previously said, the biggest day of my life so far; I have gone through every emotion known to humans: relief; joy; hope; despair; worry; consternation etc. It is only now that it has dawned on me just how important this going to Uni lark is. I'd always wanted to go, of course, but now I'm starting to realise this is huge. Not only will it help shape the rest of my life both in terms of finances and career, but as a person. It may sound clichéd but there is so much stuff I have yet to think about, to even consider. Will I need mugs when I don't drink coffee or tea? Is an EatWithUS card worth the cost in my first, no doubt, hectic semester? What tog duvet will I need?
In about 109 hours, I will know whether my future lies in the city and University that has captured my dreams and heart or my insurance. I'm hoping beyond hope, somewhat unreasonably I'm informed by my nearest and dearest, for the former. So, the hope has only got to last another 109 hours or so, before I know for sure down which path my life is going to lead for the next four years.
On Thursday, I'll blog again to share my delight or despair.