探花直播

Eve Davidson joined 探花直播's聽School of Media in 2019 and is currently studying BA (Hons) Sports Journalism. She tells us how much she enjoyed learning about radio journalism as well as creating bulletins and what advice she would give to students starting their first year at BCU.

What were your expectations before starting your first year at university?

I didn鈥檛 know what to expect, I was nervous about everything; making new friends, not understanding what I'm being taught, the fear of failure really.聽I live in London which is a big city like 探花直播, so I knew I wouldn鈥檛 find it hard adjusting to life in a busy city.

How did you find the first few months of university?

It went very quick. I started to get into a routine, I learnt how to manage enjoying fresher's week, but not staying out too late to the point where I can鈥檛 wake up in time for my 9am lectures. I loved the independence and living by myself; it made me see things in a different perspective.聽Doing something you love and finding a course that interests you is so important to have a good experience in university.

What has been the most fun/interesting project you have worked on?

There are so many! Learning about radio journalism and creating bulletins was fun, interesting and a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. It鈥檚 so much more than someone giving you an update on the latest in sports for a couple of minutes.聽For an assignment, I interviewed a few female boxers from Women鈥檚 Boxing Club, which is one of the best female boxing clubs in 探花直播. I interviewed the boxers and coaches on their views on inequality in boxing and the progression that sport has had so far. This was fun to film and I finally started to feel like a presenter 鈥� I even put this video on YouTube!

It really surprised me that I would like my classes as much as I did. Obviously, I like the course and the subjects because I chose it; they make the classes interesting and they expect a lot from you, which motivates me! The lecturers also treat you like journalists, not students.

Have you had any work experience in your first year?

I got a SKY placement which I was extremely excited about, but unfortunately it got postponed due to COVID-19.

What is the community like in your school?

Friendly, nice, diverse and a genuinely nice environment - which is great! There are loads of clubs and . You should never worry about not fitting in, there is a place for everyone at BCU.

Are there any projects/trips/modules you are particularly looking forward to in your second year?聽

I鈥檓 looking forward to completing my SKY placement and more classes in global and community impact in journalism. The different impacts journalism has locally and globally really interested me and what type of news becomes global due to the person, the place or the severity of the news. I鈥檓 looking forward to live newsroom classes too because I want to be a presenter/broadcaster and these classes will help me to achieve that dream of mine.

Is studying at university much different to college/sixth form? If so/if not, why?

Not that much different. However, university is a little more laid back than sixth form, due to the independence and freedom you have. The work is harder and more advanced, but it keeps you on your toes. In university you are part of a wider community. Your routines are very different; you might have a meet and greet from a society that you joined or plans with your friends etc. That鈥檚 why managing your time is very different. Whereas with sixth form, you come home or you study at home/with your friends. I found sixth form repetitive.

What advice would you give to students who are starting university soon?

Enjoy it! You only get to experience university one time, so have fun, make memories and step out of your comfort zone. Work hard in EVERY year. People that say, 鈥測ear one doesn鈥檛 really count鈥� ... they are wrong, every year counts!

Learn how to balance your time with fun and work. Be organised! Write a timetable for the week, e.g. when you鈥檙e going out with your friends, study time, lectures. It鈥檚 really easy to go off track and have the mind set of 鈥淚 can do that next week鈥�, when in reality university goes very quickly. Above all else, go that extra mile when doing your assignments e.g. references, someone to read over it and getting that support from your lecturers.