The first three weeks of my second semester at QUB have been intense. From choosing my modules for this semester, to applying for summer internships, to the changing social scene, it feels like a lot has been happening. I would say that my new modules have been a success. On top of the three that I mentioned in my previous post, I decided to pay an extra 20 quid fee for Arabic lessons. Arabic has not been too difficult so far. We have focused only on speaking and popular phrases, so it just requires some review here and there, but I think we will begin to study writing tomorrow, and I am a little nervous about that. The other modules have been really interesting so far. Criminal law is challenging because I have never taken a law class before, and I am definitely lacking some basic knowledge. It also requires a lot of work at home on top of the lecture and tutorial, but I am making it work so far.
My sister is coming to visit in a few weeks, so I started a planner/journal to really keep me on track. I would like to get ahead on classwork before she arrives so I have time to show her around and really spend time with her. I also have a pretty long trip coming up in April during our Easter break, which is three weeks long here. Because I imagine I won’t have much time to really do work while I am travelling, I have to make it a priority to get as much done now as possible. I spent five hours at the library yesterday, and I can already see that the following month will all be like that. My sister’s visit and subsequent travels are shining loud and bright at the end of the tunnel, though.
On top of schoolwork, I have also been reading a lot this semester. Ever since I first got to Wellesley nearly 3 years ago, I haven’t been able to read quite as much as I would have liked to. I am really making it a priority this year. I am re-reading the Harry Potter series (I am currently on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), but I also read Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, and I would like to read a little more non-fiction. I am still knitting as well, though I can’t do it as often as I used to because of all my other commitments. Getting back to reading regularly seems to help alleviate anxiety a little bit, which is probably how I got through an essay and an exam last week without going crazy.
I should get back to studying now. Until next time ~