For those of you following along, I'm *officially* no longer a uni student!
On Sunday evening I submitted my last assessment ever and I'll confess that I was a little underwhelmed by the whole thing. After I clicked that little 'submit' button, I just chilled on the couch unfazed, watching tv. Now, getting that major project - a 40,000+ word manuscript, written and submitted - that is an entirely different story. I experienced an overwhelming amount of joy and accomplishment when I wrote 'The End', completed the final edit, and submitted it for review.
I started studying at the University of Newcastle (UoN) mid-2016, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts (English and Writing) for six months before transferring into the newly established Bachelor of Creative Industries (Writing and Publishing) to pursue a new career that was more aligned with the outcomes I wanted from my degree. Despite the ups and downs that being the 'guinea pig' generation of the program has brought, I truly believe I've received some valuable life and career skills that I wouldn't have obtained in a BA. And while I'm not where I thought I'd be either, the experience has opened my eyes to a whole new range of possibilities for myself as a creative, entrepreneur, and employee in the greater field of the creative industries.
During my time at UoN, I've had the opportunity to employ these skills as well. I'd founded the UoN Writers' Club in 2017, acted as their President for two years, as well as taken on the role as Promotions Coordinator for Yak Media in 2019, where I had the privilege of organising the Yak's Biggest Morning Tea charity fundraiser and am currently assisting in the process of Yak becoming independently-run from 2020. I've written articles for The Monthly OPUS, established the annual UoN Writers' Club Anthology, showcased work at several exhibitions, and I've been fortunate enough to also be a part of a supportive group of creatives and individuals with whom I could share my stories and ideas. Over these years I've met so many wonderful people and made so many incredible friendships as well.
Don't be fooled, this little chapter isn't quite over yet though. As I noted, I'm still volunteering with Yak Media for a little while longer, as well as presenting a little sneaky excerpt of my manuscript "Once We Were" at the Student Reading Night hosted by Bastian Fox Phelan and Cuplet Poetry's Claire Albrecht on 28th November. And there's still the official graduation mid next year. So until I then guess I'm in that unknown student status state.