Releasing stress in the library.

Despite my believe that I never get sick, I was proved otherwise in September when I had a couple of sicknesses and injuries at the same time. A very cunning flu postponed my departure by a week and subsequent allergy to penicillin did not make my flight to Scotland any nicer. When I was back on my feet, I got my hand burnt badly and ended up with second degree burns, which doctors here refused to treat. Luckily, after all this, I managed to actively fight for the remaining bits of my immunity (by playing tennis, of course!) so I could fearlessly jump into my final year in Scotland. And I have to say, it’s been tough so far!

It already started in August when I went to Oxford thanks to the Kellner Family Foundation to participate in the International Politics Summer School at the University of Oxfrod. I spent two very demanding weeks studying international politics with focus on Russia and I have to say that the combination of intensive academic work and the environment of Oxford University gave me a lot of motivation and strength. Although, it is true that I returned home completely exhausted, yet paradoxically I cannot remember last time I was this relaxed. And it was exactly what I needed before my fourth year.

This is how I enjoyed my free time in Oxford. View at the All Souls College.

I am not sure whether we actually have more work than last year, or whether it is the accumulated stress of writing a dissertation, getting the best degree classification or the general feeling of uncertainty. Nevertheless every fourth year is panicking and trying to overcome the never ending stress. It’s true that only the absolute minimum of people spend any time in clubs partying, while the majority lives in the library. As if the university management knew and wanted to make our final year as nice as possible, the ground floor of the library was completely renovated. This floor is designated for group study and the designers came up with some really great ideas. Besides many new PCs and sofas for work and relaxing, the best thing certainly is the new pods. The pods are mini, glass rooms which can be booked by groups and where people can work on their projects without any disturbance. There are TVs which can be connected to laptops, electricity sockets and all the things students need to comfortably work. These pods are absolutely amazing and I do love every minute I spend working in them!

The new pods in the library. Brilliant idea! Source: http://blog.dundee.ac.uk/studentblog/wandering-around/

Now it is time to return to the pile of work and deadlines and try to finish them all in time, possibly with good grades. The next blog will not probably as relaxed, since the exam results are expected to be announced in January, but will mostly consist of doubts and fears!