2016, WOW. What a year.
No, I’m not just talking about Brexit or Trump here (equally big, but on a negative level). But personally!
This was the year of the graduation. The completion of my degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE). The beginning of a MSc in International Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and a couple of interesting study trips.
The end of the year also marks the reshaping of this blog. It’s no longer going to be known as it once was. Some readers may already have noticed this but it going to taking on a more professional, politically inspired form.
I hope everyone has a great remainder of 2016, and a very happy new year π
I’ve neglected my blog this summer. I’ve been immensely busy as usual but I’ve got a degree. I finally feel that achieved something finally (see below) π
My delight! A 2.1!
I should have posted this ages ago but I’ve been busy planning and doing things. My graduation is booked up for Friday 16th September (next week).
At the beginning of the month my grandad in Jamaica passed away. Whilst my other one is quite ill himself. So, it’s been a bit sad on that part.
A lot has happened now. I’m kinda in the hunt for a new job part-time/full-time that gives me useful experience. I had an interview with BP as a duty manager that I ended up not attending due to sheer distance, it was simply too far to work.
I recently applied for a Masters degree in International Public Policy at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). I got accepted on 1st September, and I’ve decided to commit and go for it π
The full course (MSc International Public Policy) will be part-time and taught at a distance. However, I will be making heavy use of my university campus facilities due. The campus for the school of Politics and International relations is quite close, just on the London Overground line.
Having completed pre-enrolment. I’ve now just registered my modules for this year (semester 1 & 2). Currently waiting for my degree certificate and a few final bits to fully enrol.
I’m getting ready to study again. Buying folders, switching from Dropbox to Google Drive, and getting prepared mentally.
Anyone who is starting a Masters anywhere this year contact me π
Images from the past few months (will be posted here)
I’ve been asked before just what the format and structure of study is like with the Open University. I’ve decided to create this post and make it (nearly) entirely Open University based. I’ve attached some images in the slide show below, and I hope that it assists with giving a picture of what I do (or should be doing every week π ).
My study planner for this Week highlights that I should be at “Week 16 – Governing weapons proliferation“. Which I’ve just finished!
Each week usually has a chapter from the OU module materials, that must be read along with activities in the book and online. Further reading sources are provided every week, and it’s expected that 6 hours every week should be allocated to this. I also try to read a chapter from my outside text “The Globalization of World Politics“.
Open University Study Planner
Open University Study Planner
Week 16 - Governing weapons proliferation
Week 16 - Governing weapons proliferation
Chapter 12 - Weapons Proliferation
Chapter 12 - Weapons Proliferation
Chapter 12 - Weapons Proliferation
Chapter 12 - Weapons Proliferation
Chapter 12 - Weapons Proliferation
Chapter 12 - Weapons Proliferation
Week 16 - Further reading
Week 16 - Further reading
The Globalization of World Politics - My Further Reading!
The Globalization of World Politics - My Further Reading!
The Globalization of World Politics - My Further Reading!
The Globalization of World Politics - My Further Reading!
I’ve tried to keep it relatively brief here. I could go on and on and make this essayish but I figure anyone interested would lose interest! Audio and video material is provided online nearly each week too. Attendance in face-to-face tutorials isn’t required but recommended. I think I’ve missed about one or two during my whole degree. As you progress to level 3. Tutorials are few and far between.
That’s it for now. I have a more exciting post coming up in the next few days, I’m still on a high from the news I received and can’t wait to share it with my readers. I can’t wait! Just am so excited π
As I was typing this I was listening to Loick Essien – Number One π
I’ve not been around the past few months, things got real difficult towards the end of last year. This was for personal reasons.
I just hope all my friends, family and colleagues had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I hope this year will be peaceful for all. I’ve got several personal goals to meet this year. Which will be quite challenging. Needless to say, I’m going to be happy to graduate in May. Simply because it’s been a long tough road and I really need something for my efforts and my career now. I will try to update this actively throughout the year as I have so much planned (I’d rather not release everything here). If you want to find out things that I have planned just stay tuned. More to come in later blog posts.
Right now, I’m focused on getting the target grades that I want for my target degree classification! Easier said then done. Wish me luck!
I have some assessments (other students) to give feedback on as part of my third assignment. The whole focus on Humanitarian intervention and the UN’s doctrine on the responsibility to protect has been interesting. Something I will expand upon in a post here when I have time.
Four pictures of what I’ve been up to the past two months (yes, that’s all I have but I’ve done more than that!)
I will be going back to Oxford quite a bit this year. Got one trip already planned. I really should have gone back there more often! But I’ve been so busy.
I know I say it all the time, but I’ll try to post more often. Happy new year everyone and take care! π
So, my DD313 module materials have arrived! I actually meant to publish this last week. But I’m all ready to start my final Open Uni module in October.
I’m eager to get started. Though I know when the going gets tough, I’ll be looking for the end!
Every OU stuEvery OU student knows what this means!dent knows what this means!
Every OU student knows what this means!
My final module, all ready to start International relations!
My final module, all ready to start International relations!
I’ve enrolled onto my French course for the summer. The aim is to learn French right up to C2 (Fluency). I’m excited, and start on the 8th June. So, next week! I’ll also be in Brussels in two weeks, so, a lot to look forward to.
Today, I also officially completed my project for DD309 with the Open University. I will be driving up to Milton Keynes to hand it in on Tuesday morning (tomorrow). It’s all been printed and bound, after a lot of blood, sweat and tears.. well not entirely true but almost! π
I’ve enjoyed this module immensely my tutor has been great. Assisting me through Skype/Email and face to face at our session at the London School of Economics. The project involved huge amounts of research regarding Environmental Economics and Carbon Trading. I’ll never look at the European Emissions trading scheme in the same light again.
On the way, I learnt so many things about how the EU operates. From using their direct line service (for help on EU matters) and Email. All of which delivered exactly what I needed. I feel that like most things regarding governance most of the information and is there if you ask for it.
I’ve also become more aware of how deeply important the environment is to us as a public good. Not just due to climate change, but the air we breathe, the views we enjoy. The things we can’t make excludable and struggle to protect. In conclusion, I found the EU ETS did assist with reducing emissions but only by a marginal amount and it maybe a little too early to say we collected any meaningful data. As the ETS has only been running 10 years. Environmental policies tend to take many years and not show improvements in short or even the medium-run. Many weaknesses within the EU carbon trading system can be solved by EU policymakers (which I will reveal in another blog post when I have my results back π ).
It’s been incredible this module and I want to thank friends (some who are no longer with me), close family for the support. It’s been tricky at times to self-motivate myself. Many times I’d have a beer and watch question time doing little else. My degree is not over but it’s been an amazing journey so far and I feel everyone in my life is part of it. I’m so lucky to have you all. So, thank you!
My Pictures of the Month are below
Few notes: EMA stands for end of module assignment it’s basically my project for my Economics module. The intimate relations thing is an economic valuation I guess! How much time we spend and the net effect of those things, Got a few vanity shots… I don’t often go vain but I thought I’d go against the grain a little. And protect the NHS, our human rights might be disappearing but can we at least protect that? Too bad the tories got in.
Projects all bound!
Three copies all bound!
Economic Valuation
Economic Valuation
Vanity shot! No.1
Vanity shot! No.1
Vanity shot! No.2
Vanity shot! No.2
Vanity shot! No.3
Vanity shot! No.3
Time for me to talk!
Time for me to talk!
Protect the NHS
Protect the NHS
My blog may be down at various points over the next month. It really needs an overhaul a nice new theme, it needs to be mobile/tablet friendly (hint, hint can anyone help in any way? π ).
Also, I’m taking action to address why the blog is slow loading. The database has pretty big over the years. I know the comment feature is not working properly for all readers. I’m trying to fix that too.
Yea, I’m a busy guy these days. When it’s not all university work and retail work.. I’m busy learning French (self-study), I also want to enter go-karting events this year but haven’t been gymming for years (being too busy!). Entering a championship like I did in 2013 is a pipedream now!
But.. I’m still here and I got many posts that I’d like to get online but simply just don’t have the time to refine them. I’m currently at the beginning of my project for Economics. Lots of research involved. I’m also massively behind on an assignment that’s due on the 10th March, (why am I writing this then? Haha).
A few weeks back I had jury service. It was a very interesting and eye opening experience. Better then my current part-time job!
I’m currently also planning my summer, I need to get to C2 (fluent) level in French by next year to have any chance of applying for a decent career role after my European Voluntary Service (EVS). German some point in the future. I’m aiming to do my EVS for a year. I’ve decided to take French lessons with the Institut Francais rather than Alliance Francais. A visit to the Institut Francais made the decision for me. It’s part French government funded and you can really see as it has excellent resources (Cinema, Library etc) it looked clean and modern throughout. It’s slightly cheaper which is big bonus! π
To be honest now, I can’t wait to leave this country. Everything here has just sapped me. I’m gonna be happy to get out and I’m determined to do so.
I will not be available at all tomorrow. Friday 6th March 2015 as I will be focusing on my Environmental Economics assignment all day. I will write a blog post about it though because it’s an area of importance for me. stay tuned.
I’m so excited for 2016, it feels 2015 is just a filler year before my life really begins! But a lot of hard work to put in this year π