Starting Individual Project

I’ve finally submitted my group project YAY! I feel so relieved that it’s all done and out of the way. Now I have two more coursework’s to complete, 1 for statistics and 1 for finance.  Luckily the statistics one just got released today and I have four weeks to complete it. The finance coursework is due in a week before the Christmas holidays.  My aim is to complete as much of it as I can as early as possible.  Then closer to the deadline date, I can review it and fix any mistakes I may have made. 

I also have to think about writing my proposal for my individual project. I think that the individual project will be more stressful compared to the group project. This is because at least as a group, we could bounce ideas off each other and also provide helpful criticism, in order to improve the quality of the report. 

In my opinion, the best projects start off with a fairly large idea, which can then be divided into sub – topics. The best way to formulate ideas is to draw a brainstorm, so then it would be easy to group ideas together. It would also be easier to spot if we’ve written the same idea twice (it can happen). For this reason, drawing a brainstorm is much more creative and effective, compared to just writing a list diagonally down a piece of paper.

I haven’t decided my final project title, but I do know that it will be based on financial econometrics (one of the modules I am studying this term). This is a brilliant topic for me, personally, because I really enjoy my finance lectures, and I’ve got sound knowledge of finance in general, outside of University. I also think it would be quite relevant and useful to combine economics with it as well. Both finance and economics are closely linked with each other, especially when observing the financial markets and considering the economic climate and recession, in today’s modern world. 

Why do I have the feeling that I’ll be writing about my individual project, in my future blogs?

Busy schedule

It’s been ages since I wrote a blog. I’ve been so busy for the last couple of weeks. It’s really weird; I’ve been back at university for 4 weeks now, and we’ve got so much work to do. This year is going to be the most difficult, because I’m going to be studying 7 modules in total, 3 in the first term and 3 in the second term. They are all 15 credit courses. The final module is 30 credits, which I will be studying for two terms.

At the same time, I am enjoying studying. I am currently doing a group project with some of my fellow 3^rd year maths students. I am working with 4 other people. 3 of whom I’ve never spoken to till the group project. At the same time, we get along with each other. I like working in my group because everyone works together really well, and everyone is serious about studying. This is because it’s our final year and also because our group project counts as 30% of our final mark for that module. Working as part of a group teaches us many things, like getting along with different people.

One really interesting thing which I did this week is sign up for a SCONUL card. A SCONUL card gives me access to some other university libraries, so I can go to other universities and look at some books there. I think that’s very cool. One of the members of my group said that he got the card last year, but never used it. At least this way if I ever want to get some reading or revision done for my coursework and my exams, bur I don’t want to study at home, then I can study at other universities closer to home. The best thing about the SCONUL card is that they give a wider access to books and journals. This is brilliant, as Universities have different books, which makes it easier to do a project, whether group or individual as then we will have a wider range of resources.

Summer’s Gone!!

This year, the summer holidays have passed away within the blink of an eye. Throughout my entire life, I have never been as busy during my summer holidays compared to this summer holiday that has just passed. This is because I have been working in the Clearing Department on a full-time basis for the past 9 weeks or so. Time has flown by, and before I knew it, it’s September and I am due back to return to study next Monday. This means I am well on my way to completing the third year of my Mathematics honours degree.

Today is my year 3 induction. Some people may ask, why do 3^rd year continuing students have inductions? The answer to this question is that in 3^rd year, we have specific modules that we have to pick and the course tutors need to talk us through these modules and then we get to decide our final choice. Of course you can change course modules within the first two weeks of study, and you can do this by filling out some forms and passing it onto the school department. However, the mathematics department is very different in that aspect. The course tutors and programme leaders like to have face to face meetings/talks with those students concerning module or even programme changes, to discuss their options and how these options will reflect on their future career and job prospects. 

This is one of the many things that please me to study at this University. The personal tutors and programme leaders, and generally all the staff members of the University as a whole, really look at you individually and take time to get to know you as a person.  This shows how much respect and courtesy the University gives to its students and of course the students studying at the University should return the same respect and courtesy back to their tutors and staff members of the University.

Looking forward

It was a really nice surprise for my sister-in-law to call me yesterday afternoon. However when she did initially call me, I was busy doing something else (can’t remember for the life of me what that was). So when I finally did have the time to check my phone, I was quite surprised to receive a  miscall from her, and I was very excited to call her back, as we hadn’t seen each other for ages (like 8-10 months) even though she lives only 10 minutes (walk) away. This is because we all lead very busy lives and her and my cousin brother usually go weekend holidays together, very regularly, or otherwise she goes to her parents’ house for the weekend.

So I then called her back after a couple of hours, and she has kindly invited my family and I to go to her house for an Iftari party next Saturday. She also said that she’s thinking of getting some of our other cousins together, so that we can have a really good catch up. She is really considerate and kind. She was asking about my parents and how everyone is. She asked if my dad will be coming to her house next Saturday for the Iftari party. I told her I wasn’t sure, he might be working next Saturday evening. So then she replies that she understands and she even offered to pick us up with her car, which was really considerate and very sweet of her. She asked me to text her this Friday just so we can finalise our plans and confirm with her that we’re attending.  I am really close to her as because we have similar interests for example in both literature and sciences. She loves classic novels as well as Shakespeare, and yet she has a degree in Physics.  I’m really interested in novels too. My favourite authors are Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. The last Austen novels I’ve read were Emma and Pride and Prejudice. I have got a few more at home left to read, but I haven’t write managed it yet. One that I’m particularly keen to read is, Sense and Sensibility. I have watched the film, but I still want to read the book.

During the past week or so, I have also catched up on some literature reading. So far I have read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, and now I am reading Hard Times by Charles Dickens. Comparatively I prefer to read Charles Dickens novels because I find the storyline really exciting and interesting. The book ‘Hard Times’ is is about facts versus fantasy. A teacher called Mr Gradgrind believes n facts and nothing but facts. Therefore he teaches his students only facts, believing that facts are all they need to know and nothing more. He only thinks that as long as something is factual and there is proof behind them then that’s the only knowledge worth having. He doesn’t believe in fantasy or imagination, and therefore never indulges in developing his student’s imagination. As you can guess the central theme of this novel is facts.

I have not yet finished reading this novel, what can I say? I am a slow reader. So far, I am really enjoying it and looking forward to completing it.

Other than that, I am looking forward to two days in particular, 18^th August and 25^th August. Yes, 18^th August is A Level results day and I am really looking forward to it as my brothers AS results will be released on that day. He seems to be quite quiet for now, but I am very excited for him. He has assured me that he will text me when he receives his results and told me not to worry. Then, on 25^th August my youngest brother will be receiving his GCSE results. He seems to be quite confident and self-assured regarding his grades and so I can only hope he gets the results he expects and deserves. All I can say is that the next few weeks will be very exciting for my family and I am really excited for both of them.

Summer Holiday

So the past weekend I have had a chance to catch up with my cousins once again. It has been a pretty long time since I saw them last. We are all so busy with our lives that we barely manage to text each other, and then only when it’s something really important like birthdays or passing on messages from one cousin to another. So on Saturday night, my dad took the whole family to his brother’s house. This was so that my brothers and I could wish my cousin well for achieving a 2:1 on his first year of Finance and Economics degree. My dad joked with my brothers about congratulating our cousin over the telephone and also dropping him a text, however my brothers were adamant that they should be able to congratulate our cousin face to face. Alas it was not to be, as half an hour before we arrived at their house, my cousin had left for work.

It was quite enjoyable for me as I could bond with my other really close cousin, who had just completed her GCSE’s this year. My youngest brother and she are the same age, with only 1 week difference. So, she was talking to me about what subject she feels she did well in, and also what she has decided to take onto A Level. She has decided to study; English Language and English Literature (this is one A Level by itself), Mathematics, Economics and Sociology. So in total she will be studying four subjects. My brother has also picked similar subjects: English Literature, Mathematics, Economics and History. Whilst I am a huge fan of English Language and Literature and of course Mathematics, having studied both of them up to A Level, and nearly close to completing my degree in Mathematics, I also studied both Biology at A Level and Chemistry at AS Level. I like the fact that my youngest brother has chosen some subjects different to mine as it shows he truly enjoys those subjects that he picked and doesn’t always follow what my other brother (Older than him, but younger than me) has picked. My other brother has completed his AS in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and History, and is looking forward to completing all fours subjects at A Level.

Then on Sunday, my aunt (dad’s sister) and her family came to my house for dinner. It was quite enjoyable as we just chatted about random girly stuff. This cousin sister of mine is even more serious about studying, then my other cousin who is my brother’s age. Although this cousin is quite young in age, she will begin year 11 in September, she is really mature for her age. She has already picked out what A Levels she wants to study; Biology, Chemistry Mathematics and one other subject which she is undecided on. I suggested History or Sociology, seeing as she’s studied both at GCSE level. However she thinks she would like to study Psychology, as she wants to try something new. I was supportive of her and encouraged her that she should go for it, if that’s what makes her happy, but then again she is quite younger and still has one year left before she finalises her choices for college.

This past couple of days has made me realise how grown up my cousins and brothers are, how much they have matured and are more than ready for further study. I mean one of my brothers will be starting university is September 2012; this just makes me think where did all the time go? At the same time, I’m really happy for them and always wish that no matter what subjects they study, or what path they take in terms of university study or getting a job, that they are happy for themselves. One thing I did learn over the past couple of years is that if you’re happy with yourself, then others will be happy for you.

Busy weekend

This weekend has been quite interesting and exciting in its own way. On Saturday, after chilling at home in the morning, I went to one of my dad’s cousins house, because it was that cousin’s nieces mehndi party and her wedding was taking place on Sunday. That party was quite different as usually they have the party at a hall or restaurant, but this particular family did the pary at home. So it was for very close family. I suppose it was quite cosy. The one thing I would say is that there were a lot of kids, so it was pretty noisy.

On Sunday, we went to an engagement in Luton. We were from the groom’s side. The groom was my mum’s cousin. My aunt (mum’s sister) and her family also attended this party so it was good fun. My other aunt (mum’s cousin sister) also attending the party with her two little daughters. I suppose if you go to a wedding of a close relative then you would have a more enjoyable time compared to attending the wedding of someone you don’t know, or who isn’t so close to you in terms of family. My cousins and i sat together, and then all our parents at on a separate table. It was quite fun as we were just playing jokes and poking fun at each other. The good thing was that there were lots of us at the party so it was good to mix with different people.

Wedding plans and a surprise dinner invitation

I’m really looking forward to attending a wedding ceremony tomorrow taking place in Brighton. It’s going to be even more exciting as my aunt (mum’s sister), uncle and cousins have arrived from the US and are staying over at my house for the duration of their vacation. Also just I left this morning to come into work, my mum told me to come home quickly tonight, so i naturally asked her why. She said that we have a dinner invite for 9pm at one of my aunt’s house (her cousins’ house). She said that it will be fine as long as I get home around 7pm tonight.

I just hope that we come home from the dinner early enough so i can get a good night’s sleep before tomorrow.  Even though it’s going to be a long journey, i think we will still have lots of fun and time will fly by and before we know it, we will arrive at the venue. I know this because, yesterday, while my mum and I were working yesterday and so my aunt and her family went to Paddington to visit their other relatives (my uncle’s sister) and then they came back later that evening. So seeing as my mum and I haven’t seen them for 2 days, even though they are all staying at my house, catching up with them tonight after work and during the dinner party should be really fun.

Onto other news, my brother has completed his exams a few weeks ago and all he’s interested in doing now is watching TV and playing on his PS3. It seems like a boring life to me, just sitting around at home and watching TV all day, but there you go. My elder brother and i have encouraged him to go out with his friends and play in the park or go to the cinema and chill out, but he refuses to go.  I do find this a bit strange, as whilst he was revising for his GCSE’s,  all he could ever talk about was linking up with his mates and now when his exams are over and he’s got lots of free time, he doesn’t leave the house.