I have now finished first year of University! Although what an inconsiderate amount of time it has been since this blog was last updated. Unfortunately this may become habit since University work was more than I first expected.

So much has happened since I last wrote a blog upon this website and indeed throughout my whole first year of university. Not that years of university are actual years, closer to 9 months, which begs the question why tuition fees are being raised and terms are being shortened. Undoubtly university is the place to be in this abysmal economic climate. It might be sunny outside but the job market is terrible. Many friends of those at university have come down to visit complaining about the death of the temporary job market and how their jobs are constantly on the line. Strangely it is the furniture industry which seems very badly hit. People are just not replacing their furniture, causing a lack of orders and the loss of jobs. When furniture chain MFI closed many smaller manufacturers also went bust. It seems that our country is slowly becoming far more focused upon the smaller businesses as the larger chains fall. Then shock sweeps across my face when people vote for the conservatives to come back in. Much blame could be focused upon Margret Thatcher for creating these problems in the first place. It must be realised though that this economic instability is worldwide. It has been said that Karl Marx is rolling in his grave once the government started injecting industries with money. Like with all theoretical systems it makes sense that a balance has to be found between capitalism and communism. The government has pretty much proved this point through these cash injections.

Now what do we have? A possible swine flu pandemic. The whole world watches the situation carefully as the bitter second wave may wipe out a large chunk of the population. The sceptical part of my mind can’t help but notice how the media has diverted attention away from the truth breaking budget Labour have now released with the introduction of the 50p tax rate. Could it be that the government have raised the profile of Swine Flu to hide other hideous details of this new budget? Quite possibly, smells like a PR tactic to me.

Either way, we are all still alive, especially if you are reading this blog. So as a self confessed hedonist I must continue with a pleasure seeking life. The thought has occurred to me that if I am faced by a God when I die who asks about the purpose of my life. I suppose my response would have to be, “An endless pursuit of happiness”. It is after all my seeking of pleasure to gain happiness. For all of those who say that money doesn’t bring happiness, well, how can that be true? Money brings comfort which must make one happy to an extent. The University of Gloucestershire has provided me many experiences which have provided me with much contentment.

This started with my fortnightly column in the university newspaper. Something I wish to continue next year but perhaps with a different subject focus. This year I deliberately requested that my column would be called, “A Student’s Matter”. The title allowed a wide range of articles so that I could easily smatter my thoughts around each week. Just over a month ago I was invited to the volunteering awards at the university and received an award for my column. This gave me a chance to meet Niki Rose, the editor of Space for my first academic ‘year’. Coincidentally we both share a passion for Public Relations.

Then a few months ago I applied for a job to become a Student Ambassador and my CV managed to slip through. To be a Student Ambassador is almost the larger equivalent of becoming a Prefect at Primary or Secondary school. In a way it seems inevitable that I managed this place at the University. After all, I had been a prefect at both Primary and Secondary. The difference with being a student ambassador is that you get paid for the work you do. Mostly this will be helping out at the open days. So if you’re a prospective student around September or June looking at Pittville campus at the University of Gloucestershire then request a tour from Michael White! The job also involves visiting primary schools and other away trips.

Then to the glory of Cheltenham. Seriously, when I first heard Cheltenham I had just imagined a group of elders had decided to begin a new town in the middle of nowhere. Cheltenham is so active though, the amount of celebrities which visit here is totally astounding. A couple of weeks into my first semester I was fortunate enough to attend a signing Stephen Fry was present for. I managed to get to first in the queue, one of the benefits of being an occasional early starter!

This celebrity experience was followed by Simon Pegg visiting Cheltenham Race Course for a graduation ceremony. As I was a Public Relations student it was possible for me to attend the press conference. Unfortunately I missed an opportunity to visit Russell T Davis and John Barrowman doing a talk about Doctor Who at the Race Course. With the Jazz, Science and Literature festivals Cheltenham hosts there is quite a buzz within the community between all ages and genders.  

So in an extracted way this has been my first year at university. University teaches how to live with oneself and for some of us begins with a feeling of intense loneliness. The range of people at university surpasses any experience you would have in a local secondary school. The lesson all of us learn at university is to find a balance between work and a social life. Some people have failed this very concept already this year and have decided to leave as a result. So whilst it may be seen that you are paying a few thousand pounds for course fees you are in fact simply buying into the university lifestyle. Get the balance right, find a course you can enjoy and don’t forget the person you were before university.

M White xx

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