“Home is where the heart is”

I’m back! …Like two weeks ago. How there can be so much schoolwork to do right after the holiday? Right after I arrived to London I had to start working: assignments, exams…I still have one exam this weeks Wednesday before I can have short break from freaking out that I have left everything to the last minute.

Of course I haven’t been busy just because of drowning under a pile of books, but I have decided to apply to other universities starting next years autumn semester. Because my first year of studies in London Met is a Foundation year (“preparation” year) I can choose to continue my studies in London Met on a degree in which I would like to graduate (psychology), or if it’s possible I’ll be accepted to some other university where I can start studying my degree of psychology.

Some may wonder why I have been “wasting” my time and money for this year. Well, first of all I’m not the smartest one so this year of studies might give me a better chances to get to another university where is higher standards to get in. I’m not saying London Met sucks, I actually enjoy studying here, but then I heard we can apply to other universities so why not even try. Who knows do I still continue my studies in London Met even if I was accepted to another university. We’ll see.

I’m not “the sharpest pencil in the pencil case”. One of the reasons is that I have dyslexia. Dyslexia means in my case that I read and write slowly – more than the average – I struggle remembering stuff and it’s hard for me to understand information that I obtain from my surrounding environment. It’s annoying and sometimes embarrassing when I have to ask many times what people say to me because it’s takes time for me to process it and I don’t always hear clearly what people are saying, especially if they aren’t speaking my native language: Finnish. I bring this up because I have been trying to get a solution with my university how to deal with my dyslexia.

I went to a test last year in my university where it was shown that I have the symptoms of dyslexia. Basically I have been allowed special arrangements which ends in February, but I need an official diagnose from a proper psychologist to be able maintain those arrangements. I was suppose to go to the diagnostic test but because I didn’t get financial help for the test (apparently only UK citizens are allowed for this fund), I’m not afford to take the test. I’m not sure do we get some solution to this, but till then I need to survive on my own. I wish I would  be able to have some kind of arrangements to ease my studying because I’m already struggling, and it’s only getting more difficult through the years. But as I have always done to get to this point: “Work hard to keep up with others, work harder to achieve your goals.”

Even though the life of a student is busy and stressful almost every single day, I still haven’t left opportunities to be taken. During my holiday I heard that my university’s Green society needed a treasurer and they were asking me for this position. Here I am! I’m the treasurer of Green society now! I’m quite excited and nervous at the same time… There is already a lot of projects going on and I just jumped in the middle of this. “Never say no to a challenge.”

To be honest I’m happy to be a part of the society. After all we are trying to tackle environmental issues. We only have one planet, and yet we are wasting so much energy. I’m not saying everyone should shut down the lights now, but at least consider how to decrease their carbon footprint. Just a thought: Don’t use the car when you can walk or use a bike (get exercise at the same time). I wouldn’t say I’m fanatic about recycling, but I come from Finland where there is such a beautiful nature to enjoy and relax. I love going to a forest because it’s the place where I can run away from all the negativity in the world. I can actually breath. I don’t want that to disappear.

“Home is where the heart is”, and my heart is “lying under a big pine tree”.

Quite a hustle of two weeks it has been, and probably it’s only getting way more busier. Life is full of surprises and challenges. It keeps me running towards new experiences. Like I have to move to another room for a week because my accommodation staff wants to paint our rooms. Great! Let’s start packing!

Student life of London

Here’s what to expect when you’re in a new country as a student.

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BUDGET

Everybody knows how hard it’s for student to manage their money. Basically you have to pay your rent, money goes for travelling, food…but when you’re in new country (alone) so you need lots of new things for living, for example kitchen equipment. You start to wonder where all this money goes. Partying? Just need to survive one week and I (finally) get money for another month to live. Basically I have spent £300… Yeah, still need to work on my budget.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

When you get to London to study start to make appointments (bank, GP) as soon as possible, because otherwise it might take long time, like me with registration to medical centre which is in November. Make sure before your arrival what you need to do and find out can you do anything online – you can apply online a bank account to Barclays. Be fast!

MANAGE YOUR SCHEDULE

I just looked at my school timetable… What the h*ll was I thinking when I chose this course (Sciences Extended Degree)? Tuesdays Biology, Wednesdays Biochemistry, Fridays Scientific studies and Psychology (why Fridays are always the longest school days?). I don’t know if someone might think that’s not bad but for me…well, let just say I’m starting to get a little anxious how am I going to manage studying all these subjects. Forget free time! It’s time to study!

BANK

It can be very stressful (for me at least) to get yourself a bank account. It won’t be easy I can tell you…I applied online for student account and booked appointment but I missed it so I needed go to a branch to get another appointment. I was lucky that they still had appointments in such a early date because some of my friends have to wait till November their appointment. I got e-mail which said I needed proof of my ID (passport), a proof that I’m a student (UCAS letter, enrolment letter) and proof of my UK address. I went to the bank but they said my UCAS letter and the statement of my residency in ISH wasn’t good enough proof to open account. The woman who looked at my papers told me if I get today from my school a confirmation letter, which is told my course, time of my studies and my term time address here in the UK with university’s logo, stamp and a signature, then it should be fine to open account. I went to my school fast as I could to get it and headed back to the bank. Because my course starts with Foundation year they only put one year of studies to the confirmation letter…you can’t open the student bank account with just one year of studies. Luckily the woman who help me before understood it would take too long to apply another bank account and make new appointment, she opened me a regular bank account then I can apply again next year to open the student bank account (if the school give me a letter where it can be seen that my studies ends in year 2019, otherwise I go mad). Thank you for the woman helping me to get a bank account!

So here’s what I have learned so far during my time in London…