Task 24: Personal review of the second year: Where do you want to go, and how do you get there?

‘We’ve looked at education, and creativity, we've explored the industry and culture

- now it’s time to begin thinking about your own future. Obviously, this is significant

as you face the transition to final year students and what lies beyond. It’s useful to

start by asking some questions to help frame your thoughts.

What are Universities for?

Where did they come from, and how does that impact on what they try to do now?

What do you expect from your University education?

'What am I going to get out of three years at University?'’

A University is defined as: a high-level educational institution in which students study for degrees and academic research is done. As well as this one of the primary purposes of a university education is to prepare students for jobs, but for jobs that are intellectually challenging, infinitely variable and that require constant critical engagement with the world around us.

Universities came about in the 13th century. colleges, which appeared some time before universities, first emerged not at schools but as residences for scholars and students, often funded by outside sources. gradually, they developed courses of study as well, but they were never as all-encompassing as the university. As a result, the modern university is still often composed of several colleges.

The first bona fide university was established in Paris in 1221. it grew out of the efforts of Parisian scholars to organize. following the model of town governments, and also of local Guilds (the precursors of our modern unions and professional associations), this group created a legally recognized entity specifically licensed to teach prescribed courses of study. The University of Paris was licensed to offer degrees in theology, canon law, medicine, and the arts. it eventually became known by the name of one of its early benefactors - Robert de Sorbonne.

My own personal opinion about what I would expect from a university education would be obviously, an education, to be educated in depth on my chosen topic, being that particular course. I would like the tasks to be engaging and creative with multiple routes to completion as is possible in an arts based course. I would expect the tutors and fellow students to be like minded and for it to be a pleasant environment to work. And finally I would expect to be fully prepared for the job type I will be applying for and to know exactly what I need to do to succeed in my chosen field. 

As far as the last point goes, you get what you put in really, if you ‘work your ass off’ and come out with a first or 2-1 you have a degree and the skills to give yourself a damn good chance of reaching the job you’ve wanted.

My own personal review of the second year for me has been one of mixed feelings. I still do enjoy parts of the course however have shied in other areas. I enjoy seeing the finished results and being proud of what I have achieved however the process to get there are no longer appealing, where as last year I would jump at the opportunity to do extra work or tweak things here and there to maximise the end results, this year although I have still pushed myself to achieve, it has been an uphill battle.

Because of this I plan to defer my third year to give me a chance to re think what I want to do with my life –as late as it might be at this point- and decide what I would truly like to do as a career path.