Last Saturday I worked at my first Physics Open Day of the winter term
for the University. Although it was not the first Open Day I have done (I
worked the summer open days too), it was the first one where I have had to give
a tour of Glen Eyre halls.
Going back to Glen Eyre for the first time since I left at the end of
first year was a strangely nostalgic experience – especially seeing new
students in my old kitchen through the window. Just walking back through the
entrance brought back many happy memories of time spent living in the New
Terrace complex. Most of all it reminded me of my fresher’s fortnight right at
the start of my life away from home.
I personally found halls to be a great experience. In fact I found
every aspect – from assignments and lab work to socials and nights out – of my
first year to be thoroughly enjoyable. Having such fond memories of my time in
halls made telling people about Glen Eyre that much easier.
Meeting our neighbouring flat mates before the Freshers’ Welcome Party
in 2011
Of course the question I get asked the most on Open Days is “Why did
you choose to study at Southampton?” Having had experience of being asked this question
in equal amounts across the summer Open Days, I have had plenty of time to
truly think about why I did choose to come to Southampton.
I remember I came to visit the University whilst in sixth form, before
I had really even started to properly consider my options. I came in the summer
holidays so the University was very quiet and hence I didn’t expect to meet
anyone, let alone get the chance to be shown around. However, when I crossed
campus to take a look at the Physics building, fully aware that I couldn’t get
in, the futility of the situation disappeared.
I was very fortunate in the fact that the Physics admission tutor was
there to welcome us in and even gave up over an hour to show me and my family around
the department. He took his time to show me the labs and the astronomy domes on
the roof, whilst explaining every detail about the course to me – which I try
to emulate when working at the Open Days myself.
I guess that was one of the major reasons why I put Southampton as my
first choice; the friendliness and willingness to give a personal tour to a prospective
student who hadn’t given university choices too much thought before then.
The time between then and now has flown by and it’s crazy to think that
I am now approaching the half-way point of third year, so I have begun to turn
my thoughts towards the future.
The Physics department and also the Physics Society (cleverly named
Physoc) hold many events, talks and seminars that provide ideas and opportunities
for your future career. Last Tuesday they held a TeachFirst presentation, made
even more appealing with free takeaway pizza. I am currently in two minds about
my future career; on one hand I’d like to go into teaching, whilst on the other
I’m interested in medical physics, so the presentation was a great chance to
really begin to sort out my mind.
TeachFirst are a unique charity that fund your PGCE while you go
straight into teaching. You are put in schools where a certain majority of
children are disadvantaged because of their background. Did you know that just
16% of children eligible for the free school meals programme make it to
university in the UK, whereas 96% of all children from independent schools do?
The aim of the organisation is to provide inspirational teachers and
develop leaders through their leadership programme that can help to bridge the
gap over this hidden social barrier to further education. Whilst being thrown
in at the deep end is a lot harder than doing a PGCE the conventional way, it
is certainly more rewarding and if I do opt for a career in teaching, it is
definitely the path that I will choose.
The experience lasts two years, with around 50% of teachers staying in
the same school afterwards, 10% moving to a new school and the final 40% going
into other areas. The scheme also offers a work placement in the summer as well
as the chance to gain a subsidised master’s degree in education.
Overall it’s a fantastic opportunity and one I will definitely consider
for the future.
James
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