SBCS Inductions, Academic Advisor & social life

15/09

Monday morning was a bit of an hectic period... I got up and I had breakfast with Isabela, again by chance, but then we spent so much time talking and when I looked at the time it was 5 minutes before an appointment I had with other Italians. So i rushed and joined them as soon as possible and our group (there were 4 people) went to the International Students Welcome Session where they introduced us quickly to Queen Mary. We also had to remain to the non-EU students' session because we didn't feel like leaving while somebody was talking, so we had to hear about visas and permissions to work, which we do not need as EU nationals.

Later, I went met up with Maria Stella, Costanza and other girls for a tour of the library and our guide explained to us how to use the printers, how to buy printing credit, how to borrow books/dvds and how to return them. She also showed us to the "group study rooms" and the "silent study areas". The library looks amazing! I think I am going to give it a try as soon as possible and it seems like something that might help me not getting distracted while studying!

After the library tour, I met my mum and we went to the bank (Barclays) to open an account for me... OMG it took ONE HOUR AND A HALF! I was so much in a hurry afterwards... However, now I have my account set up and I just need to wait for my card and various documents to be posted to me.
Done that, we picked up a box of things that had arrived at the post office for me and we went back to my room to put the new stuff in place... by then it was like 3pm and I still had to have lunch, before going to the SBCS (School of Biological and Chemical Sciences) induction at 3.30pm!! So I said goodbye to mum... because she was going to catch a train to the airport and it took me a while to acknowledge that I was, in the end, on my own. It still doesn't feel real and I am very unsure of how to feel about it... I miss my family and my friends, but I am also so busy that I can keep that in the back of my mind most of the time luckily.

After the quickest lunch ever, I made it to the Great Hall just on time for the induction to start. I met a boy doing Psychology on the way there, but we didn't get to talk much because it was a full hour and a half at the Hall. This first induction wasn't really too interesting, because it mainly covered stuff I already knew, ranging from the introduction to SBCS to the Students Union and some Student Support and Counselling. I didn't even take any notes during all this time, I only jotted down a website!!

Soon after I met up with a girl I had met on facebook around March, Samantha, and some friends of hers (SBCS 2nd years, by the way). While we were all together, the 2nd years gave lots of useful info about my lecturers, my modules in general and how SBCS works for the first year. I am sooo glad I met them, or I would have been totally at loss on so many things! They also showed my temporary timetables, which starts on Monday at 9am with "Evolution and Ecology" - the module I am most looking forward to! At some stage, Sam and I left them and we sat somewhere to chat ourselves and we talked for over an hour, during which she also came with me to Sainsbury's to get water and then back to my room. I am really happy I've finally met her, after so long!

After dinner, where it was just me and Isabela again (our flat mates aren't exactly fans of cooking or of the kitchen in general, from what I have seen so far!), the two of us were meant to go to the Icebreaker at the Ministry of Sound, the biggest event for freshers. But, in the afternoon, another one of my flat mates (Melanie) had told me that the underground here closes at midnight and that we would have to catch buses on the way back from the party... so we decided we'd stay at the campus party and we went to the Drapers again, for the Indie Night. At first, it was Isabela, Melanie, a friend of hers and me, but then Melanie and her friend left us and we met other people throughout the night. It was very different from the Social Network party, though. This time, it wasn't only freshers... or better, there were very few freshers because most had gone to the Icebreaker! Therefore, there were mainly 2nd and 3rd years and they were less interested in getting to know new people... OMG it was so embarrassing when, at some stage, we introduced ourselves to a group of boys and they just turned away after staring at us like we were aliens!! Anyway, it was a fun night, because two 3rd year boys joined us and stayed with us for a very long time and then we also met 4 other freshers (among whom there were an Italian and an Italian-speaking British!), so we had company :D This time, though, we only remained at the Drapers until after midnight.

16/09

Yesterday morning I was in such a rush!! I woke up pretty early despite having my first meeting at 10am and then I had breakfast with my flat mate Isabela, but it was still pretty early when we finished... so I took my time and had a shower, dried my hair and then started writing a blog post without realising what the time was... I ended up leaving my room at 9.55 and running towards the Great Hall! But I got there on time at least, so it was fine. I met a boy from Hong Kong, who is doing Psychology, on the way there, but I haven't seen him again, so it was just a very quick chat. This second SBCS induction was a lot better than the previous one, though. They explained to us how to achieve our best, how to survive these years in a good way, how to make the best of our opportunities and how to avoid plagiarism (intentional and unintentional). They also gave us practical information about how the three years are going to be structured, how exams are organised, how are marks will be calculated and how coursework counts towards our final mark. I truly enjoyed this session and I found very useful!

At lunch, I got my first compliment on my cooking ever: Melanie (one of my flat mates) walked in the kitchen once I had just finished cooking burgers (making lots of smokes, by the way!) and she said the kitchen smelled wonderful, so she was like "You really know how to cook!" :D That never happened before ahahah

Anyway, at 2pm I was meant to meet my Academic Advisor, so I walked to the Bancroft Building, where I was going to meet him, and I looked for the room marked on my sheet. Ok, my sheet said "Room 1.01", but there were heaps of "1.01.1" and "1.01.2"... So I just entered the first one and I sat randomly. I started talking to a girl and we introduced ourselves (her name is Andrea) and we found out we were both doing Biology, so we were reassured about the room. Eventually, though, a lady came in (and I was already startled because I expected a man) and she said she was representing the Science and Engineering Foundation Program... What?! Andrea and I were so dumbfounded and we didn't know what to do, especially when they confirmed to us that we were in the wrong room... so we left, veeeeery embarrassed, and also another girl (Lina) came with us! Gosh, I am so glad I wasn't the only one who got it wrong!! On our way out, we met a couple of "Help" people and we asked them directions, so we finally found our room, ten minutes after our actual appointment... walking in was so embarrassing... I wonder what our Advisor must have thought of the three of us being late to our very first meeting! Anyway he was lovely and he introduced himself again, he started from the beginning and I found him really likeable :) He has studied and worked around the world, including in Melbourne (Australia!), and specialised in aquatic ecosystems, which sounds so very interesting!! He is also a 2nd year lecturer and his course seems to be pretty good, so I might be up for it next year. For the rest of the time, he asked the eight of us in the room to say something about ourselves: I was expecting everyone to say "I am from... (somewhere other than UK)" but I was the first one saying I was from abroad (and I was the second-last person speaking)! In the end, also Carolina (who was the last) is and international student, specifically from Sweden, so I am not alone :) However, both Andrea and Carolina are commuters, so we didn't get to spend time together after the meeting as they just went home... so I did the same and simply rested for an hour or so, until Isabela invited me to join her and some other people from her course at cafè on campus. That was really nice! And WOW, the people from her course are just so lively and friendly and talkative and all that, I was impressed! We stayed there almost until seven, with the number of people always decreasing (I think we were like 8 at the beginning and 3 at the end: the two of us and another Italian, Giulia), chatting about various things and it was truly lovely :D

I then had a very busy evening, even though I didn't go to any party! I Skyped my friend Giulia (in Italy) for like three quarters of an hour, then I had dinner with Isabela in the flat and then I went to Maria Stella's (the Italian girl I met on Sunday night) room in another Hall. I spend lots of time there, despite having previously decided to go to bed early, because we simply started talking about random stuff and we went on almost until midnight without even noticing. I enjoyed it, really! We found out we have a lot in common, starting from my obsession... "Once Upon a Time" (as in the tv show) :P We also spoke about our future, our expectations for uni, our fears and our hopes (pretty deep topics), our lives in general.. it was good, you know, just to be able to talk freely. I mean, it might have also been because I was speaking Italian... I love English, it's my favourite language, but I can't express everything I want through it, because I don't know all the words and structures.
And after I got back to my room, I didn't go straight to bed, but I started chatting on Facebook with Zemfira, a freshers that I had met on Facebook around March and then with whom I have been chatting with since then - exactly like with Samantha (we were all in the same whats app group). We organised to meet today, finally!

Finally moving in for good & Social Network party

Since I am not posting about today yet, I'll just put dates to recognise the days.

14-09-2014

My dad and my sister had to leave around lunchtime on Sunday, so mum and I accompanied them to Victoria station and there we stopped at a little cafè... that sold some Mulino Bianco biscuits (my Italian favourites)!! So I bought myself and my Italian flat mate some. Soon after, though, I had to say "goodbye" to half of my family and that was a lot of a sadder moment... however, I should be seeing them in something like a month, so it's only a short-term goodbye, luckily.
Once they had left, mum and I went to Oxford Street looking for a few items I needed, like stationary and a bag, and we found all of them (a folder, a pen-holder, blue tack, a stapler, a notepad, pens and, of course, a little backpack that can be turned into a bag). We also went to Waitrose, the supermarket inside John Lewis, and I happened to find so much good stuff to put in my fridge (ham, mozzarella, tomatoes, parmesan...)!! 

Around 4pm, we reached the QM campus and on the way to my room we met some Italian girls I know who invited me to go with them to Covent Garden, so mum and I dropped our shopping in my room and I got ready to go out again. On my way out I also met Isabela, one of my flat mate, and she joined our group! Therefore, there were three Italian girls, including me, an Italian boy and only one person who didn't speak our language! How weird, for being in England!! The walk in Covent Garden was nice, as I got to chat a lot with Isabela and two of the Italians (Costanza and Tommaso, my Italian flat mate) and in the meantime we also saw a magician showing tricks on the street and some people all dressed up fancily for London Fashion Week.

Somerset House - London Fashion Week

Somerset House - London Fashion Week

I saw this poster of the play
"Wicked" and I sooo want to watch it!

Once we got back, I suddenly realised I had actually MOVED IN to my new place :) It was a weird feeling... I was really proud of the thing, but also sort of melancholic, if you know what I mean. I had a bit of time to spend in my room and then I cooked myself dinner and ate with Isabela, who happens to cook at my same times, so we have meals together. It was a lovely dinner, during which we chatted, started to know each other a bit more and things like that. I am trying very hard to make friends, and I would especially like to bond with my flat mates, since they are meant to be part of my new home! 

My newly decorated room

Afterwards, the two of us met with Costanza and another Brazilian boy and we talked for a while, also getting to know another Italian girl that came past then (Maria Stella). Eventually, we went to the so-called "social-network" party at The Drapers, the uni bar/pub/disco, and we stayed there until about 1 o'clock. Now, I am not a party girl, it's quite clear, and I thought I wouldn't have enjoyed it... I mean, I went just to meet people and to be with the few people I already knew. Guess what, though?? I actually had fun! It was great to be there dancing in such a crowd (even though it was so hot because of that), with a good company and seeing so many new faces :) Honestly, I don't remember anyone that I met at that party, apart from a couple of names, but I wouldn't be able to associate them to faces: so many people introduced themselves to us, danced with us for a few minutes and then disappeared again to go and talk to others! And we did the same sometimes, we would just join groups and talk about the basics, like "What's your name? What are you studying? Where are you from?" and stuff like that!

Moving in (sort of)

Awwww *-* Today has finally arrived! A day I dreaded and looked forward to, at the same time: move in day. It's been a very long, emotional day for me!

This morning at 9.30am I collected the keys to my room from a Residential Support desk and I also received my Welcome Pack (which included some ice tea, some rice, a tea cup and a leaflet! Then I went to my flat, with my family helping me with my luggage. I was the first one in: there are 5 rooms plus one kitchen at the end of the corridor (in front of the fifth room).

Entering my room for the first time!
(Credits to: mum)

 My own room is bigger than I thought, which is good and put a huge smile on my face, the bathroom is clean and large enough (thanks to the bath tub) and I am on the third floor, so I have an awesome view *-* I am really happy with my accommodation, especially now that I have decorated it :) We had to clean everything up, but it's fine! Also the kitchen is pretty good, again with a wonderful view!

(In the photos there are: my room before I started "decorating" it and the view from my window)

After about an hour, a boy came in, Tommaso, from Rome, and he is my nextdoor neighbour in the flat :) He is really nice! We chatted a bit, also with his father and we picked our storage space in the kitchen (each of us in the flat have two cupboards and a drawer!).

Mum and I then spent the morning arranging stuff in my room, while dad helped us with the cleaning and my sister just watched us :) My clothes fitted in the small wardrobe, but we thought we's better get some other storage space later on. Afterwards, the four of us went for lunch at the uni restaurant (The Curve), where they had organised  a barbeque. There we met Costanza and another Italian girl, Annalisa, with their parents, so we had lunch together! OMG there are soooo many Italians :) I didn't think there would be this many!

After lunch we went to the shopping centre (Stratford) to get some items for the room: a rug, a table lamp, a cushion and some Italian pasta (which we happened to fin even though we weren't exactly looking for it at first).

When I got back to the flat I met the other flatmates: Melanie (I think, I am not sure about her name yet), Isabela and Josh! They all seem lovely so far, which is a great relief because I was worried I wouldn't  get on with my flatmates. We have already done a few things as a group (while mum, dad and Benny went back to our hotel), which is very nice: we went grocery shopping to the Sainsbury's across the road from QM, we joined the gym (I subscribed for three months for now, because I really want to tey zumba here! And Melanie said she is going to come with me!). Then Melanie and Josh convinced me to get the Freshers' pass, so now I have my bracelet to get in the various Freshers' events at QM (I paid 41£). We also chatted quite a lot while walking through the campus :)

Around 6, I left the Hall to go to the Hotel (even though I stopped to buy one more thing for the room) and then I went for dinner with Tommaso (my flatmate) and our families. Our other flatmates went to the War of Halls tonight, a party where you dress in your Hall colour ;) I didn't go because it's the last night with my whole family and Tommaso isn't allowed to go to the disco because he isn't 18 yet. Anyway, it was a lovely dinner, we talked a lot and laughed and had fun!

Now I am going to bed (back at the hotel with my family), as tomorrow mum and I are taking my dad and sister to the airport and then I am definitely moving into my campus room! Mum is leaving London a day later, so that she can help me set up my bank account on Monday ;)

So today was most definitely a positive day! I am happy with my room, my flat and my flatmates... what more?!

Arrival in London & enrollment at QM

I reached London yesterday around lunchtime and, in the afternoon, we went to a shopping centre. I bought myself a UK sim card, which means now my phone is perfectly working (I got a 3 contract with unlimited data, messages and calls). Actually, this plan is only for 30 days, because I am going to change to another one next month, once I have my UK debit card to connect to my phone (they wouldn't let me get the plan I wanted without and English debit card).
Afterwards, we just wandered around until dinner time and then we were sooo exhausted we all collapsed in bed early!

Walking near Covent Garden

This morning I had my enrollment at Queen Mary: I had to line up for almost 30 minutes, during which I met Costanza, an Italian girl I have been chatting with on facebook and we organised to meet later. The enrolment was very quick, then I received my ID card (with a surprisingly decent photo - or, at least, better than any other I have had on documents so far), I got my username and password for IT services and I obtained a letter to show the bank, so that they know I am actually living here. Once we had done that, we toured the campus a bit, to show my dad and sister who hadn't come in March!

The Octagon, in the Queens' Building,
where the enrolment centre was

Outside France House, my Hall

Then we went to a Barclays bank and I booked an appoinment for Monday lunchtime to open an account!
I was meant to go for lunch with Costanza, but she was in a hurry so we decided we'd meet for afternoon tea instead. While my dad and my sister went to the Harry Potter studios (which, by the way, they loved because they seem to be pretty amazing), mum and I walked around the centre, we looked around for places where I could find a part time job i case I decided to do so and stopped at a bookshop to get me a couple of books I wanted.
Finally, we met Costanza and her mother at a cafè. It was really lovely!  Costanza and I started talking and we found out we have lots in common, like we both write (mainly fantasy), we like reading (mainly fantasy, again), we like tv shows, we are interested in zumba (by the way, Queen Mary has FOUR zumba classes a week!!!!), we are both worried and excited... I was really happy with the meeting :)

-3 days to the flight!

Three days. Seriously, only 3 days left before the flight that will take me to my new life! I am worried and excited at the same time and I am going crazy organising everything. My luggage is ready (there's sooo much to take!), tickets for the planes and trains are booked, most of goodbyes have been said... I can't believe it, but in three days I'll set foot in London and the next day I will be enrolling at university!

Tre giorni. Davvero, rimangono solo 3 giorni prima del volo che mi porterà alla mia nuova vita! Sono preoccupata e elettrizzata allo stesso tempo e sto impazzendo a preparare tutto. I bagagli sono pronti (c'è un sacco di roba da portare!!), gli aerei e il treno prenotati, gran parte dei saluti sono stati fatti... non riesco quasi a crederci, ma tra 3 giorni sarò a Londra e la mattina dopo sarò ufficialmente immatricolata!

Pre-Enrolment & other emails from QM

Hello :D

In the past couple of weeks I have received several emails from Queen Mary!! 

One asked me to complete an anonymous survey about the transition from high school to university, my reasons for choosing QMUL, my level of satisfaction about my high school and stuff like that.

Lots of other emails gave me information on what to do next, how to prepare at best, how to enrol and how to use the uni library (they sent me my bar-code and pin number), how to set up a bank account and phone sim-card, etc...

I also got three or four emails inviting me to apply for various jobs within the school, mainly in my hall (for example, as a Hall Assistant). I didn't apply for any job, even though I kind of wanted to, because I was away on holiday and I didn't have access to a proper computer to look at things properly, but it's okay, I'll have time later to work. Talking about work, some people from The Tab (a student magazine) posted in the QM group on facebook looking for writers to launch The Tab at QM and I asked for info, so that might be something I will do later on :) I would really love to participate!! 

Finally, I also received a message giving me the link to pre-enrol :) Pre-enrolling meant filling up an online form with my vacation and term-time addresses, Student Finance Loan info, high school address... in the end, I was asked to select a slot for officially enrolling IN PERSON in September (I booked a slot on Friday the 12th)!

Now there's only 10 days left before I fly to London, 14 days before uni starts! I am excited and scared at the same time, because I know it will be brilliant but I also fear I won't be able to manage everything on my own and cope with uni work. I have a few days left to prepare everything I need and convince myself that it is all actually happening soon.

 

Nelle ultime due settimane ho ricevuto molte email della Queen Mary!!

In una, mi chiedevano di completare un sondaggio anonimo riguardo al passaggio dal liceo all'università, le ragioni per cui ho scelto la QMUL, il mio livello di soddisfazione per il liceo e cose del genere.

Un sacco di altre email mi hanno dato informazioni su cosa devo fare adesso, come prepararmi al meglio, come immatricolarmi e come fare uso della biblioteca dell'uni (mi hanno mandato il mio codice a barre e pin personale), come aprire un conto in banca e ottenere una sim per il telefono, ecc...

Ho ricevuto anche tre o quattro email che mi invitavano a far domanda per vari lavori all'interno del campus, soprattutto nella mia hall (per esempio come parte del team di assistenza). Non ho mandato la richiesta per nessun lavoro, anche se in un certo senso avrei voluto, perchè ero in vacanza e non avevo un vero e proprio computer da cui guardarmi bene le cose, ma non fa niente! Avrò tempo più avanti per lavorare ;) E a proposito di lavoro... su facebook, una ragazza che lavora con il The Tab, un giornale studentesco, ha postato nel gruppo della QM in cerca di scrittori per lanciare il Tab alla QM. Io ho chiesto informazioni e magari questa è una cosa che potrei effettivamente fare! Sarebbe bellissimo :D

Per finire, il messaggio più importante in assoluto: il link per fare la pre-immatricolazione online :) Ho dovuto compilare un modulo, inserendo i miei indirizzi (di casa e dell'uni), informazioni sul mio prestito per le tasse universitarie e qualche dettaglio riguardo al mio liceo... infine, ho scelto una data per fare l'immatricolazione ufficiale di persone (venerdì 12)!!

Ora rimangono solo più 10 giorni prima della partenza, 14 prima dell'inizio dell'uni! Sono elettrizzata e terrorizzata allo stesso tempo, perchè so benissimo che sarà fantastico ma ho anche paura di non riuscire a gestire tutto da sola e ad adattarmi al tipo di lavoro universitario. Ho pochi giorni rimasti per preparare tutto e autoconvincermi del fatto che sta effettivamente per succedere tutto questo.

Time's drawing near - updates on all fronts

I am back!!! After about 4 months away from this blog, I finally decided to start writing again, because I want to keep track of this process that is leading to university and I want to write about the new life I will be starting in September :) Some of my posts will be both in English in Italian, both both will stick to English.
It's mid-August now and, of course, there are heaps of news regarding uni! I am going to split this post into paragraph, to make it clearer!

Sono tornata!!! Dopo circa 4 mesi senza scrivere sul blog, ho deciso di ricominciare, perchè voglio che rimanga una traccia di questo percorso verso l'università e voglio scrivere della nuova vita che inizierò a settembre :) Alcuni post saranno sia in italiano sia in inglese, ma la maggior parte rimarranno in inglese.
Siamo ormai a metà agosto e, ovviamente, ci sono un sacco di novità riguardo all'università, quindi dividerò il post in paragrafi, per renderlo più comprensibile! 

Unconditional offer - offerta senza condizioni

My original offer required me to get at least 85 at my high school finals and I scored 100, so I met Queen Mary's requirements and I am now holding an unconditional offer for their university, which I have definitely accepted when I put Queen Mary as my firm choice months ago. Therefore, I have officially declined all of my other choices and Queen Mary University of London is my future: I am sooooo excited :D Back at the time of my application, Queen Mary was last in my mind's ranking because I knew very little about it and it was in London, a city that I love but that's it's huge, huge enough to scare me a bit... now I couldn't be happier with my choice :) I mean, I have seen and loved the campus, I am getting to know lots of the future freshers on facebook and I am learning every day something new about this uni that is truly growing on me!!! 

La mia offerta originale mi richiedeva di ottenere almeno 85 alla maturità e io ho preso 100, quindi ho rispettato le condizione della Queen Mary e ora ho un'offerta senza condizioni, che ho accettato definitivamente quando ho messo la QM come mia prima scelta mesi fa. Dunque, ho ufficialmente rifiutato tutte le mie altre offerte e il mio futuro è alla Queen Mary University of London: sono troppo contenta :D Quando avevo fatto domanda per le uni, la QM era all'ultimo posto nella mia classifica personale, perché ne sapevo poco e perché è a Londra, uan città che adoro ma che mi mette un po' d'ansia tanto è grande... adesso, però, non potrei essere più convinta della mia scelta :D Cioè, ho visto e amato il campus, sto cominciando a conoscere tantissime future matricole su facebook e ogni giorno scopro qualcosa di più su questa università!!!

Government Loan - Prestito del governo

In the last post, I wrote about my application to Student Finance England for a loan to cover my tuition fees: I got it!!! The English Government accepted to loan me all the £9000 I need for this year of study and they have told me they will send the money straight to QM in three installments, so I don't have to worry about tuition fees :) That's a relief, considering how many things I have to do anyway! Unfortunately, since I am not a UK student, I couldn't apply for a loan to cover also my accommodation expenses, but that's okay.

Nell'ultimo post avevo scritto di aver fatto domanda alla Student Finance England per un prestito che coprisse le mie tasse universitarie e... ce l'ho fatta!! Il governo inglese ha accettato di prestarmi le 9000£ che mi servono per quest'anno di studio e mi hanno detto che manderanno direttamente i soldi alla QM in tre rate, quindi non mi devo preoccupare :) Che sollievo... considerando quante altre cose devo fare! Sfortunatamente, dato che non vengo dal Regno Unito, non ho potuto fare domanda anche per il prestito per l'accommodation, ma non fa niente.

Accommodation 

Just after having put Queen Mary down as my first choice (around the end of March), I applied for accommodation on campus, which you are only allowed to do when you firm QM. I had to select my preferences and I choose "premium ensuite" as first, with last being intercollegiate halls. I knew that allocations were only going to start in July, so I wasn't too worried until the middle of July... people on facebook had started receiving rooms on campus and I hadn't received an email yet... So almost at the end of July I emailed QM asking about my room and about half an hour later (even though an automatic reply had just told me it would take at least 48 hrs for a proper answer to come) I was holding an accommodation offer *-* Obviously, I immediately accepted it, so now I have a premium ensuite room in France House, which is exactly what I wanted! I am sooooo happy and relieved that I got a place on campus!! These days I have started to chat with a few girls who are going to be in the same building and I also found one who is going to be in my same flat :)

Subito dopo aver scelto la QM come mia prima opzione (intorno alla fine di marzo), ho fatto domanda per l'accommodation nel campus. Ho dovuto mettere i tipi di stanza in ordine di preferenza e io ho messo per prima la camera premium con bagno personale e per ultime le halls condivise con altre università. Sapevo già che avrebbero cominciato ad assegnare le stanze solo da luglio, quindi mi sono messa l'anima in pace... fino a metà luglio, quando un bel po' di gente sul gruppo facebook aveva già ricevuto la camera e io niente... allora ho cominciato a preoccuparmi! Verso la fine di luglio ho mandato una mail alla QM per chiedere informazioni e, anche se una risposta automatica mi ha detto che ci sarebbero volute almeno 48h per avere una vera risposta, mezz'ora dopo ho ricevuto la mia offer per una stanza nel campus *-* Ovviamente, l'ho accettata subito , quindi adesso ho una camera tutta mia, con bagno personale, in France House, che è esattamente quella che volevo!! Sono contentissima e super-sollevata per aver ricevuto un posto nel campus :D In questi giorni ho cominciato a chattare con alcune ragazze che saranno nello stesso edificio e ne ho anche trovata una che sarà nel mio stesso appartamento!!

 Freshers' events - eventi per le matricole

Freshers' week is something I have heard soooo much talking about... and now it's my turn to take part in it! It Italy we don't have anything like that, so "very excited" doesn't even come close to describing how I feel :) I mean, I am not a party-girl, really, and I know there will be a lot of partying going on... but I'll manage and I truly want to blend in and make friends and have lots of fun during the week! So far, I have only bought a ticket for one Freshers' event, which will involve Zane Low and Ms Dynamite... I don't know either of them, but I am going with two girls I have been chatting with, so I will be in good company J I guess that's all freshers' week is about!! Moreover, I have registered for QM's welcome week and I am waiting for the QM's pass to be released, so that I can buy it and take part in the various events QM is going to hold :D

Ho sentito parlare della settimana delle matricole all'infinito e adesso... adesso è il mio turno di farne parte!! In Italia non abbiamo nulla del genere, quindi dire che sono "leggermente elettrizzata" è solo un eufemismo :P Cioè, io non amo le feste, davvero, e so che ce ne saranno un sacco in questo periodo... ma me la caverò, perché voglio davvero sentirmi parte del gruppo, farmi degli amici e divertirmi al massimo durante questa settimana! Per ora, ho comprato solo un biglietto per un evento che coinvolge le matricole di tutta Londra, in cui si esibiranno Zane Lowe e Ms Dynamite... non che io, sinceramente, conosca qualcuno dei due, ma vado con due ragazze con cui mi sento da un po' e quindi sarò in buona compagnia :) Suppongo che la "freshers' week" sia questo, dopotutto! Inoltre, mi sono registrata alla settimana di benvenuto della QM e sto aspettando che esca il pass per i vari eventi della QM :D

Preparations - Preparazioni

Up to now, I have bought myself a colorful set of duvet/duvet-cover/pillowcase, a blue set of 2 pieces of plates/bowls/cups, placemats, blue cutlery, a cheese-grater and a vegetable peeler :) Random stuff, but that it's going to add up with the things I'll buy next! Tomorrow I have a trip to IKEA with mum scheduled :) Can't wait!
Preparing myself is not just about the stuff I have to take with me though... I also have to be ready myself! A part of me is defintiely excited and is counting down the days to  the big move, but there's also another part of me... a part that is scared and worried about moving out, about leaving her family behind and about what that all means... it's a big step to take, after all.

Per ora ho comprato un set con piumino/copri-piumino/federa molto colorato, un set di piatti/tazze blu, posate blu, tovagliette, un pela-verdure e una grattugia :) Cose un po' a caso, ma che avranno un senso quando si aggiungeranno al resto che comprerò in futuro! Domani, tra l'altro, ho un giro all'IKEA con mia mamma programmato :) Non vedo l'ora!!
Però prepararmi per la partenza non vuol dire solo preparare ciò che dovrò portarmi dietro, ma anche preparare me stessa! Una parte di me è super-elettrizzata e conta i giorni che la separano dal grande giorno, ma c'è ance un'altra parte che ha paura ed è preoccupata del fatto di doevrsi trasfeirr a vivere da sola, del lasciare la mia famiglia e di quello che significa tutto questo... è un grande passo, dopotutto.

I guess this is all I have to say today and... wow, it's a huge post!! I'll be back soon :)

Immagino che questo sia tutto epr oggi e... wow... è un post eterno!! A presto :)

Tuition Fees Government Loan application

As the title says, I have applied for a loan from the Government to cover my tuition fees. Fingers crossed I'll obtain it!
At first I had filled in a form online... but it turned out it was only for UK students, so I had to cancel my application and start a new one. The form for EU students is a paper one and it was 26 pages long! Of course, half of it were just instructions, but it was still rather long! Anyway, I have filled that in with my data and the course I am going to attend, so it was pretty easy :) And yesterday I posted it, so I should get an answer in some 6 or 7 weeks!