Class of Twenty Twenty
Say hello to Niamh Darby, BA (Hons) Media Production: Journalism. I have officially finished university after three years…wow. It’s mental to say that let alone type it. It’s weird because I always knew I wanted to write a long post after my last day of uni. I, like most of the class of 2020, had to finish my degree from home due to Coronavirus. It was a very weird day when my tutors literally ended our session suddenly and told us to go home. My class regularly talk on our group chat about helpful hints and websites for essays. I feel after all this Coronavirus has packed up and left, we will have a MASSIVE catch up.
University was a great experience for me, especially since I stayed at home. And had a part-time job on the side. I chose to stay at home because it was miles cheaper. To be perfectly honest, I would’ve missed the boys and my family a lot. My life would have taken a completely different turn if I’d gone away, I am so pleased I stayed. That’s one piece of advice I would like to stress: it’s your decision. When I was choosing a uni, I had family members and friends tell me to move away. “You’ll get the ‘full student experience'”. Let me tell you, I wouldn’t have lasted two minutes on my own in a flat. I also had some people comment on the fact I did a BTec at college. Saying I wasn’t clever enough for university. Who’s laughing now, huh?
Proud
I’m proud of myself. I don’t usually like to say that because I think it can sometimes come across as a bit selfish but I am. I had many setbacks in these three years with my Grandma Ivison passing and failing one of my final semester modules. But you’ve just got to power through. In the first year, I thought my modules were fair but it was a big step up from college. It’s true that your first year doesn’t count towards your final grade but it is a great way to gather a target grade for the next two years.
I really enjoyed my first year as my degree was a mix of the other media degrees, then in second year, we were in our degree-specific groups. Second year was where our class really came a close set of friends, especially with the degree we were doing: journalism. Most of our modules involved working as a team to pull together to create a news programme from scratch so we’ve all seen each other at their worst.
Third-year was the hardest, especially with Corona popping up. It involved creating a magazine while trying to come up with a whole new product. Including having a BILLION essays to do. Our degree was a tad different compared to others. We get our dissertation done and out of the way in the first semester and it’s only 5000 words…I say only.
Using My Degree
I won’t know my final uni classification until the end of June due to assignments being pushed back because of our circumstances. I’m hoping for a 2:1 as I’m on track for that, I’m just hoping they pronounce my name right in November at my graduation. I’m really excited about that, I have plans to go and have a good knees-up with my family and close friends. It’s a very weird feeling knowing my educational life will be officially ending in the next couple of months. I have considered doing a Masters degree but I’d just like a taste of the ‘real world’ for a moment and maybe come back to that. You’re never too old to start learning.
It’s funny as all the way through secondary school, college and probably up until my first year of uni, I really wanted to be a teacher. It runs in the family with my grandparents and uncle being lecturers so I’ve always grown up with a teacher based background, my Grandad was a college lecturer when I was there so it was always nice to wave at him when he was teaching! In terms of using my degree in years to come, I think it will help me massively with this blog. I’ve learned so much about SEO and promoting your material, it’s been really helpful. I’ve had to take a little break from blogging as I got into the mindset of a journalist and I tend to be a tad professional when I write articles! Here’s to the future!
Edit: to find out what my final grade, read my update here!
A little P.S: it’s never too late to learn something new. Get yourself on an Open University course, a college class or even create your own little hobby. Just don’t give up on yourself.
Niamh x
Congrats!! I’m sorry that you had to leave like that but at least you are still finding ways to celebrate! I hope this leads you to great opportunities!
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Thank you! I know it’s a very strange time for the world at the moment isn’t it? Hope you’re staying safe and well Xx
Yes it is! Thank you you too xx
Congratulations!
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Thank you! X
Congratulations! This is such a lovey post! I hope you get the grade you want and deserve!
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Thank you! It’s a long way until my final grade and graduation but hopefully it will be worth it! X
Congrats!!! This is amazing :)) x
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Thank you! X
Congratulations!! My dream career is to work in journalism so this is a degree I’m thinking of doing. It sounds so good! x
– charlotte / https://charlottesspace.com
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It’s the best and you get to meet people just like yourself who all have the same goals! If you need any advice, don’t hesitate to contact me, I’m more than happy to help! X
Congratulations! I’m sorry it had to end the way it did for you though with everything closing down early. I hope you get the grades you’re predicting x
Sophie
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Thank you! It somehow helped us journos to see what life would be like if something like this pandemic happened again! X
Congrats on finishing uni! This will be me next year 🙂 hope you get the grade you want x
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Thank you! Ahhh, congrats to you too! It’s scary stuff but worth it in the end! Good luck! X
Congratulations! I’m sorry your university experience ended that way but at least you’ve found a way to celebrate.
Lauren | https://www.laurenyloves.co.uk/
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Thank you! Yes! We are still hoping our graduation will go ahead in November but with social distancing in place if it’s still necessary! X
Huge congrats Niamh, this is incredible!
Grace xx
gracexkate.com
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Thank you! Xxx
This is amazing Niamh, congrats!!!
Grace xx
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Thank you! Xx
I’m also in the same boat as you – a 2020 graduate! It’s such a weird feeling being finished because, well it doesn’t feel like we are finished!! But all the best and congrats! Xxx
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Yes, it is a weird feeling, isn’t it? Hopefully we can both have the best graduation day even if it socially distant! X
Congrats!!! So proud of you! I’m graduating this year as well, it’s all a bit bonkers 😂
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Thanks! You too! I know it’s a bit weird isn’t it? But I think we should be proud of ourselves for completing a degree from home! X
Well done proud of you 🥰
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Love you 😘 xxx
Congratulations! Exciting times ahead 🙂
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Thank you so much! X
Congratulations! You should be proud.
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Thank you! X
Congratulations on finishing uni!! It’s such a massive achievement and it’s so exciting that you’re about to take your next steps into the real world! It sounds like you had an amazing experience at uni and although it’s unfortunate it had to end in the midst of a global crisis it shows how determined and focused you are! You’re very right to be proud of yourself. Best of luck with the future 🙂 xxx
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Thank you! Xxx
Congratulations!! My boyfriend finished the other week too! Its so sad that with coronavirus the finish has been different but you should be so proud nonetheless!
https://www.emilyclareskinner.com
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Thank you! It was a bit strange finishing so abruptly! X
Congrats! x
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Thank you! X
Congratulations! Graduating is such an exciting and also kinda scary time, but I’m sure you’ll smash it. Best of luck x
Congrats and here’s to a brighter future!