Work Placement

Again, I apologise for my absence over the past few months... University really does get you tied up!

I've been so busy on my work placement at university... I've been placed in my university's Digital Marketing department, one of the internal placements I chose, and immediately I already got out filming and taking photographs... I was working with few other students and I was elected as the team leader, which meant I had to take control of pretty much everything; contacting the manager of the department, contacting companies, societies and sports clubs to get filming permissions, arranging meeting dates, arranging filming dates and locations and just basically ensuring that everything is running smoothly!
We came across few problems where some of the students were unreliable, they didn't reply to my messages on their progress, they didn't come to the filming sessions I arranged and I felt so frustrated. Although, I did manage to have one of them who's totally reliable, and it felt more like a partnered job... We went out filming and taking photographs together, we discussed on the work and we kept in touch with the department and our course tutor.

Personally, I did have problems in the placement such as a common deaf problem in meetings... I couldn't understand the manager of the department so my 'partner' had to take over and she would tell me what I missed out after the meeting. She's really supportive, although I do feel guilty for making her do the work for me as a deaf person... But I had to make sure that I was doing my leader role most of the time, so contacting people was easy because I just used emailing methods and sometimes social media sites.

So far, I think that the placement is not too bad, but it doesn't feel like I'm working. It still felt like one of student's coursework, just making a promotional video for the department, compared to working in a studio in a real company, which I bet that the other students are doing from my course. Originally, I wanted to work related with graphic design or photography as they both are my main skills but I did want to try at filming. It's just the matter of unreliable people and we're first year students so we didn't know much about video editing so we couldn't achieve an 'awesome' video...

Other than university, my social life is going great. I've been meeting up with deaf friends a lot, so it was like an escape from the hearing world. Recently, we went to Center Parcs for the Ear Foundation's annual event, as two of my friends were volunteering to answer questions on their experiences for the parents in a conference. The weekend was fantastic, it was so nice to take time off that stressful university life and just social with people. Again, I was also the leader of that group, so I had to take charge in activities and plan, and booking table reservations in restaurants and sorting out food bills! I guess I was born to be a leader...

Christmas Break

So, I'm finally on Christmas break from university! It's been a busy term, hence why I haven't updated the blog!
I have to say, the university is the best decision I've chosen because my course is much better than what I expected. The staff were so supportive and I've made great friends. The course is so much fun, I'm learning a lot, like Photoshop, After Effects, Avid Media Composer and much more. I had little experiences as well, where I was working with Nusic (based in Nottingham) one evening to film a shoot of the local band called 'Alcedo' to promote the band, and also I was a photographer volunteer for a medieval fair held in Dunkirk, along with my friend from my course.
I can't wait for next term as I will be teaming up with the second year students of the course for three weeks before we all head into our work placements! I'm excited to see which placement I will be put into... Although, I did choose my top placements, which are BBC, V-Point and some internal placements at university.
I even signed up to be a course representative and working towards a leadership award for it, as well as working towards an Acceler8 award.
So you can really tell how busy I am! It's pretty mental but I know for sure is that I'm enjoying it.

Despite my lack of updating the blog, I do, however, update regularly on my creative blog because it counts toward my university grade. See here: https://uptillartam.wordpress.com/
Also, as part of the course, I've set up my official portfolio at: http://catherinejoynson.wix.com/catherinejoynson

Other than university, I also attended some deaf events.
I went to BDA Youth's Winter Prom in November, and it was a fantastic evening. I was nervous at first since I've never really been to events in my life so I didn't know anyone at all. I went with two of my friends from Nottingham to travel down to London for a night. I ended up making new friends, as well as having laughs with my friends. I also met a friend who's recently moved to England to study in Manchester from Australia. He travelled with us from coach station to the hotel, and we learned few Australian signs (only because we signed and he got confused!).
As one of the most popular events, I went to a deaf gathering held in Derby. It was my first time to Derby and I went with a friend of mine (one who I also went to prom with) and she introduced me to a lot of friends. I also caught some friends I knew, including a college friend, a friend I made in a summer camp few years ago and re-united with my childhood best friend whom I went to nursery with! It was an awesome night, although my boyfriend did feel left out as he had work in the early morning so he couldn't come along...
If you would like to attend one of the deaf gatherings in Derby, it is held on the first Friday every two months: February, April, June, August, October and December. It also can be on Saturdays too but Fridays are mostly popular.

A rather long post, but hey, I'm back!

First week of uni...

So my summer is officially over now that I just completed the Welcome Week at my university...
I couldn't find an apprenticeship in the end so now I'm studying in Nottingham. The first week was great and scary as I realised how much more independent I had to be from college to university. I was completely on my own and it was really challenging for someone who's deaf but you get used to it. The tutors were so helpful and they were aware of my hearing loss, I noticed that they made sure that I had their attention and they were facing me when speaking and I was really pleased of that support.
So far, I'm considering take up in so many clubs! I've joined Juggling society and the people were really nice and I made sure that they were aware that I am deaf. I'm considering taking up archery, which the taster session is tomorrow, and maybe badminton. I'm also thinking of film-making society and world wide volunteering. Volunteering abroad is one experience that I really really want to do!

I attended a taster session in juggling society on the first evening and I had learnt two juggling tricks already! I already knew how to juggle so they taught me how to juggle bouncy balls against the floor instead of in the air, and juggling with rings instead of balls. They were so confusing at first but eventually, I got used to it. The juggling clubs looks terrifying as I was worried I'd hit myself with them... But who knows, I could be juggling them soon!

Finally, I received a post letter from the cochlear implant centre stating that I am due to upgrade my right side (old implant) to Nucleus 6. However, I am wondering if I could just delay it until I can also upgrade my left side so I would have both N6 together at the same time. I have asked this three times and none of them got a reply... I did ask them third time and they only replied to say when I am due to upgrade my left side, not exactly answering my question and that was frustrating...

Let the university life begin!