The first semester of this course has been really enjoyable. I have made many new friends and feel like I have settled in very well. Before I started this course I didn’t think I would make friends with everyone in the class and feel so much as part of the group. This is probably from the previous course I was on, were even nearing the end of the year there were still barriers between people and the class seemed to be made up of a few different groups of friends, that didn’t socialise between others. It’s so much better that there’s nothing like this on this course and everyone interacts with each other.
I think we have all settled in so well because of the activities from the first week and the encouragement we get from Steve to become friends and get to know each other. This defiantly helped me settle into the course and I’m sure it did for others as well. Since everyone gets on so well it makes the atmosphere in the class really enjoyable and I feel able to ask any one for help or advice.
I feel I have come a long way since the start of the course, I know it’s only been three months, but the journey I’ve been on in that time has been really enjoyable and I have learnt a lot more in that time than I ever could have expected. I’ve also learnt a lot about the industry, how it works and the skills required to achieve a place in the industry.
I now feel this course is for me and even though I have to say the work can get quite hard at times, I am going to pursue this course and try my hardest to complete it and take with me as much knowledge about the industry and what is required to work in it, as I can.
The first semester has shown me a lot about myself and I now feel more confident in my abilities and that this is the course for me. I have used three new software programs that I had never used before and I am surprised at how quickly I have picked them up and I’m looking forward to extending my knowledge about them and ability to use them.
Before this course I did not have to plan my time or set out when tasks needed to be done for. This made the time planning quite a hard routine to get into and I have to admit, my time planning for the first assignment was not really up to scratch. But I now feel I have vastly improved on my time planning and it really helped me to get through doing two assignments at once. It now feels like a natural thing to plan out my week and I can really see the advantages of thinking what needs to be done during the rest of the week.
I am still not sure if I would go straight into employment after this course, as I am considering a top-up-year. This would only be if there was a top-up-year from Steve, because I know that I would not get this level of education or learn as much, on at university course.
The standard of work on this course is a lot higher than on any I have done previously. When I first started the course I felt that the standard of work was too high for me to achieve and I was unsure if I would be able to cope with it. But now I feel that I can work to the course standard and I am pleased with the quality of the work I have produced.
Short Term Goals
In the short term I would like to improve on my knowledge in using programs and feel confident using them. I would also like to improve on my designing skills and idea generations, because I feel I can design better then I’m currently doing.
Mid-term Goals
I would like to complete the course and gain enough knowledge in the industry to enable me to become employable in it. I would also like to find out my preferred area in the industry and get some experience in it.
Long Term Goals
In the long term I would like to be employable and able to get a job that I really enjoy and also get plenty of experience in the industry.
I am of the same opinion – that thanks to the way Steve he has structured the course, he has encouraged communication, something I for one would be lost without.
The communication I’ve experienced in our class is a first for me, on courses in the past I’ve always made friends but never had a whole group communicate with one another. I think in a way this encourages us more, as we’re all friendly with one another and therefore comfortable in the environment at college.
I am certainly considering the top up year for this course, scott is even considering coming back with me (my boyfriend). If the third year is as good as the two year HND then it will certainly be worth an extra year of hard work ready for employment!
I think the high level of challenge the course has presented has been felt by everyone due the diverse range of skills we are being taught.
Our varied backgrounds illustrate the demands the course presents, and no single person is comfortable with every task we have been presented with.
If the course presented no challenge then there would be no point in doing it. Equally the more challenging it is the more we must be growing.
It seems like you have really enjoyed the work that we have been doing in the first term. It really shows that you have really thought about where you want to go after the course as finished.
I agree with you about the interaction between everyone on the course being really encouraging. Hopefully it can continue throughout the course.
Also, when reading this post, I’m glad to see your enthusiasm for the course, which I think many of us share at the moment.
A third year would also be a major advantage for us in terms of the experience that will be gained.
I also agree that I would only be interested in doing it if it run by Steve and John as I feel that they would really push us to take every opportunity and gain as much experience within the year compared to the possibility more relaxed attitude at another college/university.
Approximately two and a half hours until comments are closed for Semester 1.
I really hope that Steve implements this 3rd year idea, it would be beneficial to all the students.. I was originally thinking of leaving after the first year to go elsewhere before this came up, just so that settle into the group alot more.. than having come in late in the course, since some courses are the 3 years and being abit of an outsider, which of course would be detrimental to the quality of work produced.
If decided not to now, hoping this will come into play and if not a top up year somewhere will be sufficient enough for what I want to do. I also value to teaching here, I think Steve/John really know what they’re talking about and their invaulable advice has sunk in heavily.
I’m glad at the range of modules been put into play already and can’t wait to further explore the design side.
i agree with the barriers from the last course we were on, it was like the class was split into different sections. this course feels like its making us more productive.we can excahnge feedback from anyone. it allows us to become more sociable with our collegues.
Semester 1 Journal Comments Closed.