Today was a writing day. It was a day when I got a lot done and ticked a couple of important things off my to-do list. I have quite a few writing tasks on the go at present; some are for editors, others are for my future plans of studying. So it has been nice to get a few things done and other things prepped, so I can continue with them tomorrow.
I am making plans for my next study course! Now that the diploma is over and I am qualified, I have been thinking of my next move. I'm planning to take the next academic year off - partly because my diploma certificate won't arrive in time to apply for anything this year and also because I don't have my graduation ceremony until November. I don't want to have started another course before I have formally graduated from this one - it upsets my methodical frame of mind. So I am going to wait a year to recharge my batteries and tie up the loose ends of my diploma with the formal graduation ceremony first.
This plan also means that I have longer to prepare my application portfolio for university. There is quite a bit of work to do for that. It isn't just a case of completing an application form, though that is part of it; you also have to provide evidence of your abilities and previous work, to prove that you are capable of studying at post-grad level, so you have to put together a portfolio of work to support your application. In addition you have to write a statement as to why you are suitable for a place and what you hope to achieve from it.
It can be a bit daunting, but my philosophy is, if I don't get in then I have lost nothing in the trying. And if I do get in, it will be an exciting new chapter to look forward to next autumn as it will mean that I will be moving on to university and studying at a higher level. It feels like the next logical and natural step. It feels exciting. But I confess that I am glad to have a year off between now and then!
I honestly don't think that I could go straight onto another course this September. I'm too tired from the diploma. I would be starting with an empty tank, which means I'd be setting myself up to fail. The sensible thing to do is to take a year out and then go back into the academic world, with a full tank of juice, well rested and with a fresh mind, ready to learn.
Having said that, I still went stationery shopping a couple of days ago! This is something I do as an affirmation of action - I buy myself new stationery that I intend to use only on the next course of study. So far this has proved to be something of a good luck charm and I have always been granted a place on the courses I applied to. So I now have a collection of sparkly notebooks; a pink A4 one for class notes, a silver A5 one for general uni notes, a pink plastic envelope folder for handouts and a beautiful pink pencil case from Ted Baker. So I'm all set! Next summer I'll buy my academic diary and a pink ring binder and then I'll be ready to go.
I'm even looking forward to this year of anticipation! I have a whole year to look forward to the prospect of more studying; to rid my mind of the lingering toxicity of our old tutor and see uni as a fresh start, with new tutors to learn from and a new bunch of students who all have a common interest and similar goal in mind. I am looking forward to the camaraderie of it, to being with like minds - and to the fact that university libraries are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Oh the joy of that! If that's not an incentive, I don't know what is!
But I am not counting my chickens before they hatch. First of all I have to win a place for myself, and to do that I must put together the very best portfolio I can to support my application. The hardest part is trying to choose what work to include, but that is something I plan to make headway with next week and act as if I have already been granted a place. In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy the anticipation of the fact that I definitely plan to apply to a post-grad course - and I might even get in. You never know your luck. 🍀
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