Exams ended last week and I was grateful to
have a few precious days off before the new semester began. To celebrate our
survival through exam period, a few friends and I went on a small adventure to
Watford where we visited the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for The Making of Harry Potter! As
much as I love Southampton, it’s always nice to explore somewhere new, especially
when travelling within the UK is so easy. We took the train from Southampton Central
station to Watford (a town I had never been to before) and explored the town
centre for a few hours before hopping on a bus destined for the Making of Harry
Potter tour. The tour was fantastic! It felt kind of unreal to see the endless
pieces of original props and sets. There was so much to see, I really had no
idea just how much effort went into creating and designing everything for the
films. I now have a new found awe and appreciation for the creativity and talent
of the people who worked towards putting it all together. As well as getting to
see original pieces from the movies we also had a go at “flying” on a broomstick
in front of a green screen, drank our first glasses of Butterbeer and took a
stroll down Diagon Alley. My friend Ivy took hundreds of photos and I had a
hard time choosing which ones to show you all but here are a few:
Outside the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
Anybody recognise this from the second
film?
Ollivander’s wand shop in Diagon Alley.
And, of course, Hogwarts Castle!
After
returning back to Southampton the rest of the weekend passed in the blink of an
eye and, before I knew it, it was time to start the new semester. I spent some
time looking over various optional modules for this semester and checking to
make sure there were no clashes in the timetable. After now having had all my
introductory lectures for my modules, I’m very happy with my choices. They’ve
all grabbed my interest and I’m looking forward to making the most of this semester. My four modules consist of two compulsory modules: Evolution and Plant
Development and Function, as well as two optional modules (which I was free to
choose): Animal Reproduction and Development and an interdisciplinary module
about Global Challenges. I’m particularly excited to see what I’ll be able to
get out of the Global Challenges module. The teaching format is a little
different to my other modules and the students come from a range of
disciplines. I think it will be interesting to gain a new perspective on issues
such as food and energy security, biodiversity and climate change from people
other than my fellow biologists.
As
well as starting new modules, I've also attended a talk about possible Third Year
dissertation projects abroad and an engrossing talk by Simon Watt about what it
was like behind the scenes of filming Channel 4's “Inside Nature’s Giants". In addition, I've been quite busy this week looking for summer internships and placements.
As important as graduating with a good degree is, I know how valuable getting
experience is too! Therefore, I'm hoping to secure something (whether it be
voluntary or paid work) that will give me a good chance to gain some valuable
experience during the summer break.
Furthermore,
with so much going on at the moment I’ve decided to cut back on two dance
classes per week - so rather than dancing for just over ten hours each week
I’ll now being doing roughly seven hours. I’m probably still dancing more than
I have time for but even cutting back a little will allow me to spend more time
doing work for my course, which is actually something I really want because I
am genuinely excited about these new modules! Our first dance competition is in
less than two weeks so I know my schedule is soon going to get pretty hectic,
but I’m determined to get the best of both worlds.
Kristin
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