Jenny Caroline Leggott's diary

What a tiring, yet awesome, weekend!

The last two events held by the ever successful VIP (Volunteering in Portsmouth) went smoothly this weekend and although I enjoyed them as always, a small part of me was very sad indeed. Unfortunately these two events would be my last and I really am gonna miss it for several different reasons. I love all the people who help out at these events, the children from the CP Centre who always seem to have fun and the elderly people who are great to chat to.

I think it really hit me today how much VIP has influenced my life (as cliche as that may seem!). I lost my nan the week before returning to uni this year after a summer of caring for her during her fight against leukemia and it hit me really hard. It took me months to get back to my normal chirpy self and I believe that the VIP OAP Christmas dinner last year was a real turning point. I realised that even though many of my immediate family (esp. on my dad's side) have passed on, there was still ways of interacting with elderly people, it's just case of putting yourself out there. This particular event also suprised me as I believed that I would have got upset during the day due to missing my nan, but I was strong enough and had so much support from those around me that I stuck it out.

Reflecting upon today's final OAP luncheon was quite a sad affair. I got a bit upset shortly after the event after talking to one of the guests who lost someone dear to them in the same way I lost my nan and who was also suffering from the same condition my uncle is at the moment. It's been a year since all the "bad stuff" that has happened in the past year started, and just recently we nearly lost yet another family member who is still quite poorly. I feel I've grown over the past year and am now able to cope much better with such events and even though I am still petrified that everything may go wrong again, I reckon I will be able to cope better. But most importantly, I now know who to turn to and who I can confide in when I'm feeling the strain and ironically all of these people I have met through volunteering in some way at the Union.

So if you're wanting to get that little something extra from your uni career then think about doing some sort of volunteering. It could be anything from helping to run a club or society, helping RAG to raise money for charities, writing or designing for the student media publications or simply getting involved with a VIP project. It's the best thing I've done with my time at uni for so many different reasons, and I just wish my time in Pompey wasn't nearly over... 

YUCK!

Think that sums up the way I'm feeling right now to be honest. It's that time in my university career which four years ago I never thought I'd reach: DISSERTATION TIME!

Now 10,000 words seems like a breeze when you first pick up your handbook that will guide you through what will probably be the biggest project of your university life, but trust me it's hell! I'm used to writing ridiculously long 3,000 word essays and have been able to churn one out in just 5 hours before and maybe that's the reason why I'm in this annoying position now of having 7 days left and not even a tenth of the way through  

Don't get me wrong, I'm not what you would call a lazy person...I just have a lot of other commitments which throughout the year have led to me putting off this 10,000 word monster as they were classed as "far more important" in my mind (whoops!) Even saying this though, I wouldn't change anything I've done over the past year: I have met far too many amazing people and done so many things I will remember forever to have regrets! University is for so much more than just gaining your degree!

So stressed as I may be (and unfortunately being beaten down with illness too!), I don't think I'd change it. I work much better under pressure anyway. So if you're in the same position: chill. Just think of the ecstacy you will experience when you finally hand over that burden you have slaved away on and worried about for the majority of the year!

So to all you's final year's out there: GOOD LUCK!

Well, best get back to work...it's not going to write itself!!!

Life goes on...

Ha I feel like I'm on Pure Fm again by avoiding any talk about the "ERECTIONS" again, but this time for reasons solely related to self-preservation.

Anyhow, I was very lucky enough to be offered a place up at Northampton on a Paramedic Science degree starting in September this week, so will face the whole university experience again. To be truthful, I don't know if I can take it all again! I remember when I was a little Fresher and how blimmin' naieve I was, but it was that naievity that got me through. Coming out of my third year I feel I may be a little too cynical now to fully appreciate all the joys of being a Fresher again!!!

Maybe that's a good thing as the course is notoriously hardcore on both the academic and the physical sides. It's also pretty scary to think I will be on my first placement by the end of the year. I'm not having doubts though, this is what I have wanted for ages now (just ask my mates who are sick of me talking about the ambulance service!), I'm just kinda anxious that I may struggle with the academic side of things. I doubt my BA (Hons) Drama and English will be able to help me much when revising anatomy and physiology and it's been over 4 years since my Biology A Level  Anyone wanna tutor me????

Let's just hope that my drive and passion will shine through this time! I know I'm gonna work my little butt off when I'm there so I best get the most out of my final few months in Pompey. First up, SRA Conference in Bath tomoz (yay!!!) where I get to talk about all things radio and see my fab mates I made when I attended last year. Then it's Activist Academy, the famous Isle of Wight Pub Crawl, Societies Carnival, AU Dinner and the event of the year: the VIP Awards Dinner!!! Oh, and I might squeeze in a dissertation too!

I feel in a bit of an agony aunt mood now as I feel like telling everyone to really make the most of their time here in Pompey. It hit me yesterday just how much I love this city and Pompey really is my home.

Maybe one day I'll return, maybe not but that's life: unpredictable. 

On a final note (even though I said I wouldn't mention it), just wanna say thanks to everyone who has shown their support over the past few weeks. I love you all and am sorry I let you all down. I'm not disappearing though (no matter what was said at a time when the age-old evil of vodka was being consumed!), you can guarantee that the Societies Carnival and VIP Awards Dinner will be the best ever - Ben, Sarah and I will definately leave with a bang! (Not that sort you cheeki minxes!) I also know Northampton's Union is pretty retro when it comes to volunteering and societies, so let's hope they are prepared for a shake-up!

Enjoy your hols and I'll see you all soon you sexy peeps!

Luv Jezni -x- 

I felt very old fashioned this week and considering I'm only 21 this is not good!

I'm currently going for interviews to hopefully gain a place on a Paramedic Science course...well at least I thought they were interviews... So far I have had two experiences which were both classed as such, yet didn't match my expectations at all.

The first was classed as a group interview and appeared to start as soon as we entered the building. Someone was standing with a clipboard in the corner and taking notes as all the applicants chatted to each other. It was sooooooo weird - slightly "Big Brother" too. Then it began properly. We all had to introduce ourselves in front of the interviewers and the rest of the group - that was scary - why is it that everyone else always seem better??? GRRRRR

Our first assessment was to get into two groups and build a box in a specific way using foam jigsaw shapes (like kids have!), but without speaking or making any noises. This was probably the most bizarre experience ever. Everyone was making the strangest hand signals and pulling the funniest faces too - bless! The second task wasn't that exciting - just a simple presentation about the role of the paramedic in promoting health and well being in the community. Oh and to top off the day I managed to walk 25mins to the pub to see my work mates and fall over right in front of the pub in my beige trousers and cover one side in mud as well as knocking my knee so hard it looks like it's done a round with Lennox Lewis!!!

Today, I had my second interview - different location this time. A much less formal setting with a few uni bods who seemed so chilled they could have been penguins! The interview itself was one-to-one but was conducted more like a chat with your mates down the Union. The two paramedic interviewers were relaxed which was good as it helped me to relax and just focus on being me. Overall, a much nicer experience and I felt much better after this one.

Funny that I used to have the idea that interviews were boring, stuffy and unfriendly - these two were certainly not! Makes me wonder what the logic behind both styles is...hmmmmm. Oh, and I hope I'm successful in at least one of them too!!!

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Was my first thought this morning when I inevitably woke up....but that was reference to a rather bizarre dream I had involving a boat, a holiday camp, an octopus, a rucksack and almost drowning - RANDOM!!!

WAHEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! Is more apt for today though as it sees the launch of the biggest Union event so far this year: The Societies Takeover!!! With the event starting at 7pm, myself and the team have just over hours to pop together the final touches!!!

So what's happening?

In Via Lattea there will be an open mic session where you can chillout to the soothing sounds of acoustic music, bongos, poetry readings and some hip-hop rappers too!

Upstairs in CO2 will be a feast of the best DJs Pompey Uni has to offer - hosted by no other than our very own Unsigned Talent Society

LUX will be the main room of the event - it is here you can witness our amazing Big Band, see your fave Sabb Officers and their Execs battle it out, see sets from 3 massive bands and party away to the early hours with our DJ 

If that's not your thing - then try or debating sessions (7-8pm or 9-10pm) in Function Room 1 or head to our games room in Function Room 2 where you can challenge your mates with the giant Jenga!!!

So much time, hard work and energy has been put into this event and my thanks goes out to everyone who has helped put this event together (It'll take far too long to write everyone's name down!) - so everyone pop along tonight and help make it happen!!!

If societies did parties, they'd probably be the best parties in the world!!!! AND THEY ARE!!!!!!

See you tonight party people!!!!

Luv Jen -x-x-x-