The past few weeks I have been somewhat distracted by the small matter of my major final year research project, which has now finally been handed in after what seemed like an age spent finalising the discussion and conclusions, and proof-reading the content and structure.
Even after choosing a topic based within a subject area that I enjoy, I still found it a chore to be motivated into finishing it towards the end, which probably indicated that it was time to finish!
There is still the oral examination to be completed which is worth 10% of the marks, so it's not quite concluded yet though. It also clashed with the young farmer's AGM, which I went on last year but unfortunately I had to take a back step due to my dissertation this year.
Nevertheless, a large group of us went to Chester races the day after it was handed in which proved to be the perfect way to let off some steam, and money out of my wallet as well! I think it is important to assume a dual perspective on matters such as these, hence the oft-quoted line 'work hard, play hard' is very applicable and relevant, especially in the final year.
This brings me onto the next pressing concern - final year exams. I am not sure which is more galling, the thought of trying to fit in a year's worth of lectures into two hours or the revision that precedes it!
I appreciate the concept of exams as an alternative form of assessment from coursework, though this does not mean I agree with them! Exams are not supposed to be simple regurgitation of subject matter which highlights neither educational advancement nor autonomy, so hopefully creative thinking will come on the day!.
The months of May and June have consistently been linked to the concept of exams throughout my academic careers, and I will be more than happy to rectify this matter after this year.
So four weeks from now I will be out into the big wide world of work. This is not a new concept to me as I had two working gap years before I came to university, and took a year out to work before I came back for the final year.
Apparently, time at university is the best of your life, and before that it was said that school days are the best of your life. I would have to strongly disagree, in that the best days of my life are firmly ahead of me, and academia has solely been a means to an end in that respect.
A student lifestyle is definitely laden with benefits and helps to provide a structure for four years of early adulthood, but it is how this is then developed and used for future career progression that is the key.
It was brought up in conversation the other day about how quickly this final year has gone, and I have to agree, not just this year but the whole four years of university in fact. There is a constant progression through education from being the new kids on the block to ruling the roost, and once again I find myself with a welath of choice available to me for my next step.
Part of me wants to go back to New Zealand for an extended working holiday playing polo, however I feel that after the student norm of spending money, I should really start earning it instead!
There have been a variety of interests that I have had to put on hold this year for want of completing my degree, and polo is definitely one of them. In addition to my annual skiing holiday that I had to forego, it's definitely time to get back into the groove.
These are two habits that I'm fully addicted to, and I am a firm supporter of following your interests. Perhaps next year then it will definitely be a case of 'less work, more play'!
