Have you settled into Uni and what are you most looking forward to learning this year?

Yes, I feel like I have settled into university quicker than I thought I would. I am from Leeds but I didn’t want to stay in Leeds and Huddersfield is a perfect distance from everyone at home – not too far but close enough I can bring my washing home on a weekend!!! Huddersfield is a nice city, it’s quite small but I like how everything is close together and in walking distance - it only takes me 10 minutes to walk to Uni.

I moved into halls on the 10th September 2016. I am staying at Saw Mill, on Kings Mill Lane. It’s really nice there, I loved it after the open days. I remember being really emotional that morning, I woke up early, which was very unusual for me (usually I have 25372 alarms set)!

I went to the printing shop to print off some photographs for my notice board in my new bedroom. When I got back my Mum had already loaded the car and I followed her to Huddersfield because I had no idea how to get here, even though its just one long straight road.

After I checked in, I sorted out my car park permit and started to unload the car. It took forever - there’s no lift in my block and I’m on the top floor! But I do have a nice view from my bedroom window. Here is a picture I took the other day.  

I went food shopping with my mum and sorted out my bedroom. I love it and it feels really homely. I thought it would take me longer to get settled but I do still go home on a weekend as I work on both a Saturday and Sunday.

As well as moving out I was also quite nervous about starting university. However, after the first day I was looking forward to the next 3 years. We had a tour around the campus and watched a few videos and power points. It was really helpful as we were given lots of useful information, about ipoint and about the course.

We spoke about the 3 strands on the course – illustration / contemporary art and illustration / contemporary art. I am just studying contemporary art and I really like how we have a small class. This means that we get more studio space to work in and more contact time with the tutors. 

The tutors are really helpful, friendly and supportive. They give good constructive criticism and I like this because it motivates me to make the best work that I possibly can! I think that's why everybody seems to have settled in so well - its nice to know your teachers are approachable and are open to any questions you may have. In the studio we all support each other and bounce off each other’s ideas.

I am looking forward to developing as an artist. I learnt many skills last year on the foundation course and I'm looking forward to developing them further through my practical lessons. I feel like I learn more through 'hands on' activities however I do enjoy looking at art magazines, collecting visual resources and researching artists. Over the next few months I hope to interpret and analyse their work (and my own work) in much more detail by looking at the form, context, content, process and mood of the art work.

I’m also really looking forward to the ‘CPiC’ lectures and learning about the history of art. I find it really interesting to see the progression of art over the years. How has society influenced the art that is produced today? I enjoy researching new artists and ideas. I'm excited to learn new things, expand my knowledge and understanding about the different concepts influencing contemporary art.

Wednesday afternoons give us the opportunity to listen to guest lecturers, which I really like the idea of. It’s so interesting to hear other people’s stories and it enables me to widen my knowledge and understanding of art. I do find it quite motivational and in the past I have found myself limited with knowledge and relied quite a lot on the internet. I have been making lots of notes over the past few weeks and I do feel quite motivated. 

After the first month at University I am happy to say yes, I am settled in and I’m definitely looking forward to the next 3 years. 

Image : www.caterlyst.com