I am not ready to accept defeat

Christmas Period was insanely different from all the previous Christmas ones. Due to Covid related reasons I decided not to go back home for Christmas as I would not manage to endure another 14 days of self-isolation, who would? Therefore, I spent Christmas with my twin sister in Newcastle. It was very nice, plus it was snowing on Christmas Eve, how magical! I was mostly working on my Ecological Data Analysis assignment over that period, like having to do data analysis at all is not horrible enough. After returning to Swansea in early January, the University announced that students should not return until advised otherwise… But I was already here, living alone, in lockdown and, surprisingly, it was the best time I had in months of living in here. The whole fridge and bathroom sharing was not necessary anymore, I had everything for myself and I loved it. I had plenty of time learning for my exam and I believe it paid off as my exam went well and the results were nice as was the feedback from my other modules. Term one was finally over…

Term 2 definitely did not start as I imagined it. Online start of the year and an email that students are not supposed to return to campus until 29/03 so the start of Easter Recess almost made me cry. Thankfully, my degree is exempted, so I am able to participate in on-campus learning. Starting this week with PC Labs and next week with Lab Practicals! Exciting BUT also meaning the start of assignments and the turmoil I experienced last November as multiple assignments were & are due at the same time. I just hope that I will not get sick with Covid as gaining practical skills in Laboratory is the core skill I want to get from my studies. I love my new modules, particularly Comparative Immunology and Molecular Ecology, where I study molecular markers, cell immunity responses and other kinds of exciting stuff. Those are the nice things I am grateful for.

What I am not so grateful for is the time when I have to deal with my placement search. I applied to several ones already back in November, but it takes them AGES to respond to the applications… I got lot of trouble from accepting a placement for the University. I got in in late November and before figuring out that there is no kind of financial support from the university for this one, deadlines for some placements in companies like GSK passed and I missed them. I simply hope that this will not cause me to have no placement. This would mean that I would have to transfer to third year, to which I am not ready for. Both in module choice and the idea of not getting a year-worth experience I can get. And I am not ready to accept that so I will keep searching to find one and I pray that this will not come in vain.

Meanwhile I try to enjoy the sea and the beach whenever I am allowed by weather in the current lockdown (in order not to get stir crazy), keep learning Greek, keep in touch with friends, and call my family, especially my grandmas who are sick with Covid. I am, as well as everyone, hoping for the best.

Stay safe (& sane)! Αντιό και τους ευχώ ένα καλή ήμερα!