I remember the build up to Uni like it was yesterday. That decision of where to go, what to study, how far away from home you want to be, etc.. I'm very lucky that my family were so supportive of basically any decision I made regarding these questions, so as they say, the world (or the UK in this case), was my oyster.
At first when making my mind up, Birmingham was last on my list. I didn't know enough about the city, was familiar with the bad rep Birmingham seems to have, and had other options such as Bournemouth, which was close to the beach, or London, which is just my favourite place. Fast forward to my BCU open day and I was absolutely smitten.
In September 2016 I packed up my things, said goodbye to my family and became an official broad course Media & Communications student. On the course you can either select to be a broad course student or one who specialises in one particular area of the media. I went down the route of broad course which allowed me to select a range of subjects at the start of Uni and eventually become more specialised when I knew what I wanted to do. For me, that ended up being TV Studios, Web Design, Music Industries and Events Production.
I got to be involved in the fast paced environment of Uni produced TV shows, acting usually as a floor manager or camera operator. I learnt that coding is the most frustrating thing I have ever done, but with such rewarding outcomes when it is complete. I worked with musicians on photoshoots, co-produced multiple events and learnt that I will never ever understand the theories of Karl Marx and Michel Foucault.
In my 2nd year I was elected vice-president of BCU's Photography society, with one of the massive perks being that I was often able to get hold of photography passes for various gigs around the central Birmingham. (One of the best being Lewis Capaldi back in December 2017).
As for Birmingham itself? It is an incredible city filled with so much culture and diversity. You have Digbeth Dining Club offering THE BEST street food, the canals oozing with history, and the German Markets lighting up the city at Christmas time. Not to mention the endless amounts of independent music venues dotted around the city, that allowed me to see artists like Sam Fender, Bruno Major and Easy Life. Independent coffee shops can be found everywhere as well, bustling markets are always on the go, Cannon Hill park is a breath of fresh air, and simply visit the secret garden at the top of the library for your very own birds eye view of the city.
On 26th July 2019, I graduated from Birmingham City University with an upper-second level degree in Media & Communications. It was the day I dreaded so much. Partly because I was scared about what would happened next and partly because I cannot for the life of me walk in heels.
I was so sad to be leaving the place I soon called home and the amazing people that had made my time there so special.
Uni was a time of learning to fend for yourself, discovering new passions, meeting new friends, making memories and crying at the amount of all nighters that had to be done. An experience I would do all over again in a heartbeat.
