 |
and now...
well...
I'm nearly at the end of my first year in a BA (Hons) History degree and look like this... The whole point of setting up this blog as a Student Mentor, was to enable us to be able to reflect back on how we have grown and developed as an individual over our time at university. Not only am I a Mentor, but I am a (mature) history student, a course rep, a student member of the re-validation panel, a mum, a wife, an employee, a friend, but more importantly, I am me. I am Claire. I'm sure I've said this in a previous blog, but that is because it's true and it is relevant.
This past year (two in fact) I have really developed as a person, and I think an element of this is reflected in my blogs. I've worked hard to give 100% to all my roles and responsibilities. I would be lying if I said I had achieved that goal, but the fact is I made the effort. The whole point of me leaving a well paid job a few years ago, was to improve my future prospects. My retirement age will probably be 67+, and I doubt my sons will leave home as early as I did, so I need to ensure I do my utmost to secure my family's future. No one can do this for me, so I need to work damn hard at it myself. Be self reliant!
Although I had the confidence to apply for a diploma and then a degree, I still felt that there was more I could be doing. I wanted to get the most out of my time at university. Becoming a Student Mentor and gaining all the confidence from it that I have, has been like taking in a huge deep breath of air after being submerged under water for too long. Becoming a mentor provided the injection of confidence that I needed. I have developed greater communication skills over the last year as a mentor, and I have volunteered for opportunities that I would never have dreamed of doing when I first started the Access course in 2011. I thought I was an open and broad minded person before, but even those boundaries have been pushed even further. I have met some truly amazing and inspirational people too.
Here I get to the end of the year and the Student Experience Awards 2013 (and the bit where I have blatantly stolen someones photos from FaceBook!). What a night, and what a perfect conclusion to an amazing year. Last Friday (3rd May 2013) the second student led experience and teaching awards took place. Students had been voting over the preceding weeks for the staff at USW Newport and Caerleon campuses (over 500 nominations) who had made a great impact on their lives. The dinner was held in the main hall at Caerleon and was one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had. What was extra special was the fact that it was students who had voted for staff and other students, e.g. Mentors, PASS Leaders, NightLine volunteers, etc.
 |
| Some lovely Student Mentors! (pinched from FB) |
I can't possibly name all those that won awards (mainly because there are too many to mention and the wine flowed too freely!), but ALL were truly deserving, like Liam, Sam and Sarah (other award winners are available!)
Some of the winners were:-
Art of Teaching
- Winner: Kathy Evans (FESS)
- Highly Commended: Philip Cowan (FAB)
Unsung Hero
- Winner: Rhodri Roberts
- Highly Commended: Pavla Bloor (FESS)
Extra Mile
- Winner: Sue Peters (FESS)
- Highly Commended: Rebecca Wilson (Student Services)
Awesome Team
- Winner: History
- Highly Commended: Disability
And now for the sad bit...
Life, business, politics, anything, has a natural progression, in plainest terms, a beginning, a middle and an end. At the moment, my university is going through a transitional phase. What once was the University of Wales, Newport, following a merger with the University of Glamorgan, is now the University of South Wales.
Whilst this brings forward new opportunities to higher education in South Wales in general, it also means an end to some established relationships, and here I become selfish. There are two people this year that have made a positive and formative impact on my life, one of those being Dr Nick Carter, Head of History at Newport and Kerry Bellamy Student Advice & Mentor Manager at Newport.
 |
| Nick being an amazing lecturer at the Colosseum Feb 2013. |
Nick is off to sunnier shores and will shortly be seen in a lecture hall in the University of New South Wales!! Can't blame him really. Nick has been a great influence and guide during the first year of my degree course and he will be seriously missed by all of us studying history at Caerleon campus. I really really do not want him to go, I want him to see me through to my dissertation (my selfish bit). I'm sure the relatively damp climate of South Wales can't be that bad when compared to Australia! Ho hum.
The next amazing, inspirational, caring, motivating, stimulating, remarkable, all round awesome person that will be making their exit from life at USW is Kerry Bellamy. I don't know where to begin here, to be honest I think I may just go and quietly shed a tear. KERRY is leaving! This was honestly an earth shattering email to receive today. But to be honest, I'm really really happy for her. She's off on a new adventure, starting a brand new business. Go for it Ker!
 |
| Kerry, a rose between two... ah!? No offence ladies ;) (another pic pinched from FB) |
So that is a very brief reflective synopsis of my first eventful year as a Student Mentor. I really hope that with Kerry leaving, we will carry on and do justice to all her (and our) hard work with the mentoring scheme.
Looking back over my blogs I can see how nervous I was in the beginning, at everything. But I can honestly say, the moment I walked in to that room of brand new mentors, all on my own, not knowing any of them, was one of the best moments (and decisions) of my life! Thank you for the opportunity Kerry and UWN (ok, ok USW!).
I think I'll just post a few more mentor type pictures now.
 |
| Me, Beth and Ash during enrollment 2012. (FB) |
 |
| Student Mentors at Newport are amazing! |
 |
| More amazing Mentor types. Enrollment 2012 :) (FB) |
 |
| Here's to the future... can't wait! |
