Thursday, 21 August 2014

Grades, Travel, Freebies and House Hunting: The Joys of Being a Student

I am well into my summer holidays and I have to say that I have had a really great time. I travelled to the South of France for a few days and had the best time. It was sunny and just right, and there was a lot to to. It was my first  time in France, I went to Carcassone and Toulouse. Perhaps the best part for me was finding lots of freebies which I got for being a student; certain places gave me 10% off meals and drinks when I showed them my identity card.




I went on to travel within the UK for a bit after France. It helped that I had received my grades before I went and so I knew exactly where I was with the units of my course, and I was in a good place. All that studying seems to have paid off. After France, I went to the Midlands and had a small tour of the little villages around Stoke-On-Trent and was struck at how different it is from Luton and London. I did some very English activities including going to a lovely tea room which served scones with cream and jam, as well as really great tea complete with tea cups, sieve and cupcakes.


Before my visit to Stoke-On-Trent, I started with places of interest in Luton which I had been too busy to see. I went to Stockwood Park Discovery centre in Luton, had a wander in its park and had lunch in the cafeteria, I went for a comedy night at the Hat Factory (which is a post for another day), and I went to Venue 360 the place with tennis courts and loads of fun stuff to do. Apparently, they have a plethora of discounts and concessions for University of Bedfordshire students, which is great if you are living on a budget.




Speaking of budgets, I am still searching for a job, nothing has come through yet and this may explain why freebies are concessions are so important to me right now and almost got a post of their own as they now come in very handy. Have you made any headway with your search? I have been luckier with finding accommodation. I have now found a really great space in an excellent area close to the university. I am thankful that I practically lived at the university for the first six months of my time here as those were absolutely key  to how I adjusted and began the race towards my Msc. House hunting completed, I am now focusing on looking at the modules required for PRINCE2 foundation and practitioner exams, which I shall write in February 2015 (no harm in starting early) while I continue to search for that oh-so-elusive job which will ensure that I can enjoy my pints and shisha at the Lounge and wherever else I choose to go.

Photos:

1.  Sign of events at the Carcassone Festival (Photo credit: Me)
2. The central square in Carcassone (Photo credit: Me)
3. Tea in West Coyney (Photo credit: Me)
4. Exhibition at Stockwood Discovery Park in Luton (Photo credit: www.lutonculture.com) 
5. Comedy club logo at the Hat Factory Luton (Photo credit: www.lutonculture.com)