First Week at Uni

On Monday (07-09-09) night me, dad and my two carers stuffed me and everything into my van and left to move into my accommodation at uni. Sadly, we left quite late from home at about 22:30 and arrived at 00:30, as we had some unforeseen troubles.

When we arrived, dad got out to find out where my room was going to be. Ten minutes later, he came back and said we had to drive around the other side of the uni where the porter’s lodge and my room was. As dad was taking some of my stuff into my room and I was getting out of the van w/ my carers, two fit girls looking like they’ve just come from a party walked up to me and asked if I’m moving in. How did they guess? Possibly, by the giant suitcase I had. I replied yes (trying not be sarcastic or say something stupid in front of them) and then walked off as they said, “Welcome to Surrey! We’ll see you tomorrow…” Indeed, I thought to myself. Nevertheless, by the time we put everything into my room and I finally got to bed it was like 02:30; and that night it was bloody freezing, but I couldn’t turn the heater on b/c it started smelling when I did, so I switched it off.

Promptly at 07:30 that morning (Tuesday, 8 September), an alarm started sounding very loudly and scared the hell out of me, as I suddenly woke up. It was the damn fire alarm! Brilliant. So, my dad and my carers quickly got me into my wheelchair, tossed the duvet on me and manually pushed me outside as I was so cold and in no state to drive myself. A few minutes later, the Estate Manager said it was just a fire drill and that I could back to my room, which after that it was really difficult to sleep anymore.

That being said, since I’m very tired I will just give you a quick breakdown of this week’s happenings:
Tuesday (8 September): In the morning, I met w/ the Disability Advisor and my new Learning Support Assistant (LSA) / note-taker, who is lovely and very experience as an LSA. Also, in the afternoon, my LSA and I met w/ my course tutor (the great guy who interviewed me and offered me a place) and course leader. After chatting for a bit, course tutor took us on a tour of where all my classes will be. It was fantastic!
Wednesday (9 September): Just took it easy. Dad and Sarah visited too, which was nice. Also, that night I watched England’s FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Croatia in the Student Union bar. Excellent game w/ a 5-1 win to England!
Thursday (10 September): From 11:00-15:00, I met w/ my LSA to show her how to use my computer and other DSA equipment. About 16:00, I then went for a walk into Farnham town centre, which is just breathtaking w/ every kind of shop you could ever need…
And Friday (10 September): Got up quite late and went for a walk around campus. Set off back for home around 15:30 and got home at 19:00 b/c all the motorways were completely blocked b/c there were so many accidents, but thankfully I got home okay.

Overall, I utterly love UCA Farnham and it’s such an amazing place! I cannot wait until freshers’ week next week and to get started on the course…

Uni Update

10 Days 17 Hours, 59 Minutes and Counting until I start freshers’ week at uni… HURRAH!

That being said, I’m getting my key to my accommodation on Sunday morning and will be moving in to my ground floor penthouse at uni on Monday night. Wish me luck…

DSA Equipment

I’m so excited b/c today I received delivery of my new DSA equipment for uni that's mine to keep forever including a brand new MacBook Pro 17”, multifunction printer, Final Cut Studio 3, Adobe CS4 Design Premium and so much more. I cannot wait to start really using it… FANTASTICO!

Uni Update

19 Days, 14 Hours, 42 Minutes and Counting until I start uni (to freshers week that is)… FAB NEWS!

Uni Update

Just received an e-mail from my uni w/ my user name and password to enroll for my course via online registry on Monday (24/08/09)… HURRAH!

DSA Equipment

On Monday, I found out that I will receive my DSA equipment for uni including my brand new MacBook Pro 17” on 1st September… HURRAH! It has taken a bit longer to arrive because it is a special order w/ fully loaded new Mac, but I can’t wait for it to arrive. Photos coming soon.

T Minus 30!

OMG! There are about 30 days left until I start uni… HURRAH!

Uni Update

A few weeks ago, I received a letter from my uni telling me that I can officially enroll for my course via online registry on the UCA website from 24th August… BRILLIANT!

Uni Update

I recently found out that I can officially collect my key and move into my accommodation at uni on 6th September… WICKED NEWS!

Uni Update

Good news. Just placed an order today for equipment for uni including a brand new MacBook Pro 17” via the equipment allowance part of my DSA .

It will take about three weeks or so to arrive and cannot wait… HURRAH!

T Minus Less Than 60 Days

Guess what? There are 57 Days, 17 Hours, 06 Minutes and Counting until the first day of uni! HURRAH! I cannot believe how quickly the time is going and I’m getting quite excited/anxious in anticipation…

Uni Update

Wow, time is just flying by… Just 77 Days, 19 Hours, 44 Minutes and counting until the first day of uni!

UCA Farnham Day

Yesterday, I spent the day my uni (University for the Creative Arts at Farnham) to get the final details sorted for me to start in September. It was a very exciting day, indeed; and I’m so glad Sarah came too.

Upon arrival, when I got out of the van I couldn’t believe how sunny it was compared to up north in London and how much pollen was in the air at uni like giant dandruff everywhere, which stick to everything; well, the campus is on about 16 acres with lovely trees all around. So, I quickly walked out of the parking lot and into the main reception.

Anyway, I first met my Learning Support Assistant (LSA) who is like a note-taker but will be helping me with everything I need for my course and she seems very nice. We then met the Senior Accommodation Officer to check out my accommodation at uni. My dormitory is quite a good size with an en suite and a separate room for my carers. Just needs some posters and it should look much better. Next, we went Student Services Office and met with the Disability Support Manager to discuss in detail what support I’ll need during my course duration.

Once we finished there, we went to the cafeteria to eat some snacks. It was a good opportunity to start to get to know my LSA and to just hang out.

Also, after everything we met with my Year 1 Head tutor of my course (the one who interviewed me and offered me a place back in January) in a conservatory type structure with chairs and a sofa, which next to the cafeteria. He also introduced me to the other course tutor, as well. Sadly, I didn’t get meet the Course Leader b/c he was in a meeting, though hopefully I’ll get meet him soon in the future. But, the two course tutors were great to talk to and we discussed the course in greater detail. It was quite interesting to hear all the wicked things I get to in my course, even Sarah thought it was really cool. So happy that I got accepted on this course!

The day was just a wonderful experience and I’m glad I got everything sorted for uni; all I need to do now is prepare my mind for September. Well brilliant…


FYI: For you reference the course in September that I’m starting is BA (Hons) Advertising and Brand Communication at UCA Farnham

Uni Update

OMG, less than three months left until I start university! 89 Days, 23 Hours, 44 Minutes and Counting to be precise…

Uni Update

95 Days, 17 Hours, 19 Minutes and counting until my first day of uni… Oh man, time is just going so fast. HURRAH!

Uni Assessment

This afternoon an Educational Assessor came to visit to assess my needs for uni study and for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) . Once the Assessor does some calculations, she will type a report of what equipment/support I need for uni and then send it to the student finance people. I think it went pretty well, so let’s hope for the best…

111 Days, 5 Hours, 31 Minutes and Counting…

Until my first day of Uni… HURRAH!

I so just cannot wait and think that it’s going to be an utterly amazing experience…

Uni Update

About an hour or so ago, I just received a phone call from the head of the first year of my course at university, who was the one that interviewed me and offered me a place on the course. He called in reply to my email as I had some queries about my course. We talked for quite a while, he told me more details about my course (including timings and first term courses I’d most likely be having) and gave me some very cool links to check out, such as the course website. It was just really great to talk to him and I cannot wait to begin my course!

Uni Update

I cannot believe that there’s only about four months left until I start university! I’ve just been so busy lately working on uni stuff (getting accommodation set up, applying for support and sadly applying for student finance, etc.) and all… Wish me luck!

Why I Love UCA Farnham Already…

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By Laurel Robinson - UCA Epsom

(Above is my future note-taker when I start uni at UCA Farnham … Well, a man can hope!)
;-]

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Also, yesterday discovered that they’ve finally put the term dates for uni 2009/2010 and are as follows:


This made me so happy and excited! Stay tuned…