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My experience – Speech and Language Therapy at City

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Finding love at university – not a guaranteed method

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Maryam Anis
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When exploring my potential university options, I would visit campuses in hope of experiencing a connection and knowing which university was ‘The One’ as soon I stepped through the doors. That did not happen. What did happen, was me increasing my step count on countless university tours, and realising how many Tescos there are in the UK. During the campus tours I found myself consistently hearing this word  – ‘society’.

There seemed to be this mystical thing called a ‘society’. This thing apparently guaranteed friends, fun and free food (occasionally). I kept hearing things like: “Join a society… you can even make your own society… societies are where I made my friends… join this society!”

Having not known many people who went to university growing up, I really was unsure what a society was. Now, three years in to my degree and with one year spent as the finance manager of the Speech and Language Therapy Society I am quite clued up. For this blog I have enlisted the help of Aadam, a recent graduate who has dabbled in a few societies during his time at City.

Thank you for joining me Aadam, I know you’ve been involved in many societies during your time at university. In your words what would you say a society is?

A society is a place for people to make friends and meet new people. In my experience, a lot of the people that turn up to a society don’t have an interest in what that particular society does. It’s mainly about socialising for them.

Which societies did you join?

I joined the Gaming Society in first and second year. During my third year I went to the Pakistani Society and ISOC (Islamic Society).

Aadam on a recent trip to Scaffel Pike with the Islamic Society

How did being in a society impact your university experience?

Being in a society changed my whole university experience. I met one of my now closest friends, and my best university memories are with her. Through her, I was even able to find a part-time job to fit around my studies. The best part is that I fell in love at a society!

That’s adorable, a true university romance! Now to finish off, would you recommend societies to other students?

I would recommend getting involved in as many societies as you can handle because you can never have too many friends. Societies will usually host at least one major event or outing every year, and these do not disappoint. I’d also recommend trying to get involved in the committee of a society if you have the time. That’s another way to get to know the people of your society more, but can also help you to develop transferable skills.

Wonderful, thank you Aadam for your time!

Fun fact: a member of the mountaineering society (I have been told) placed a rubber duck on top of the gazebo in Northampton Square. After being removed one day it reappeared the next and has not been taken down since, and neither has the culprit (or hero) been found! Go see if you can spot it!

If you want to find out more about societies at City, University of London then check out this link:: https://www.citystudents.co.uk/getinvolved/societies/

Come to the Welcome Fair to speak to society members and grab some freebies…

19-20th September 2019
Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Angel, N1 0QH 4SP

The Start of Something New…

Posted on August 13, 2018 by Maryam Anis
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So it’s that time, that time when you will be handed an unnecessarily large envelope that will determine your future (no pressure). For most of you out there anticipating (or dreading) results day, receiving your A-Level or BTEC grades will ultimately determine what university you choose to go to, so nerves are a given. The uncertainty is bound to not just give you butterflies but house an entire swarm of insects, or at least that’s how I remember feeling.

I remember the anxiousness leading up to the day, and the small things that would remind you results day is closer than you think. The awkward “so when are your results coming out” questions you’d get from relatives and friends. The UCAS emails reminding you to get your university stuff sorted. The sleepless night the day before where you and your classmates would hit up your group chat with all the emojis you can find to express how nervous you are.

While that sounds incredibly daunting, it’s also very exciting. I know I know, this is all coming from someone who’s already been through it (and thankfully made it out alive) but it truly is very exciting. You are now at the cusp of a new journey. Regardless of how you do, this is the start of something new (to quote Troy and Gabriella from a respected educational establishment known as East High). Hence, to help you make the most of this pivotal moment in your life, here are a few tips…

1. It doesn’t hurt to have a decent outfit on the morning you go to collect your results. It’s an exciting day for you, your worn-out teachers and your college that have earned the bragging rights to your grades too. Most likely, they will wander around with cameras, trying to piece together a group of cheerful students, representing every ethnicity. If you’re lucky, they might pick you and make you take an awkward photo like mine:

2. On a more serious note, remember not to compare your success with that of your peers. If you are satisfied with the grade you received and achieved your targets, that is all that matters. It’s easy to fall into a comparative spiral and lose faith in your own accomplishments, but this is YOUR hard work! The result of your long hours at the library perfecting your coursework, your extravagantly coloured exam notes that make no sense to anyone but you, and your relentless determination to make it through college. Own it! Embrace it!

3. Most importantly, no matter what grades you receive, this is only just the beginning. Whether you are satisfied with your grades or not, remember that there are so many options available to you from here on out so take a moment to explore them. There is still so much ahead of your journey, so remain optimistic. I’m positive your future is bright.

The NHS – My Medical Saviour

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Maryam Anis
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The National Health Service (NHS) has been my medical saviour since the day I was born, and this is often the same case for a lot of us who have been privileged enough to receive free healthcare. I remember the countless visits to the GP throughout my childhood; sitting on my father’s lap with my little red book rearing to go, spending hours trying on different glasses in Specsavers and imitating characters to complement each look (all the while my mother stood there judging my sanity). I remember selecting questionable colour combinations for my braces track, to match the unnecessarily bright glasses my siblings convinced me was the most fashionable (they lied). I would attempt bribing the dentist with chocolate to let me off the hook for never wearing my braces, spoiler alert, it did not work and I still did not wear my braces (regret that now). Happy memories of eagerly waiting for the birth of my nieces and nephew in the busy hospital waiting rooms come to the forefront of my mind when I think of the NHS, and those corridors hold sad memories too.

 

I also have the NHS to thank for supporting me during my studies at university and providing placement opportunities for me to exhibit my theoretical knowledge. When I walk through the wards of my hospital placement I am exposed to the diverse workforce who are committed to providing each patient with high quality care. The vibrancy and optimism contained within the walls of the buildings, that hold an individual significance to each person within it, has always stuck with me. I am reminded constantly of the scope of people that the NHS caters for – it really is something to treasure and appreciate. Often, I think it is a blessing many of us take for granted. We allow the extensive waiting lists, the hustle and bustle of hospital to overwhelm us.

 

My experience of medical settings around the world however, has given me a new appreciation for the NHS. The stark contrast of walking in to labour rooms with steel beds and equipment lying around, to NHS settings, where everyone sanitises their hands at every turning, is admirable. The smiles and hospitality (pun intended) of the dedicated NHS staff make the queues and waiting rooms comfortable. The inherit sense of compassion and empathy that dominates the NHS make us grateful for its presence. Despite all that goes on in NHS settings, the NHS possess a sweet serenity and familiarity that lingers- giving us all something special to hold on to.

 

So as we approach the 70th anniversary of the NHS, I just want to say a massive thank you. For improving the lives of millions, including mine.

 

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