Its week six, you’re either in reading week or wish you were. You need to find some joy, but where do you even start? Well dear reader, here are a few things I have loved since my Halloween post (and some ideas to help you spark joy at the end!)
The joy and enthusiasm of University Challenge heats?
Its in the update over on Insta, but if you haven’t seen yet, we have a final team for University Challenge! I am so incredibly proud of everyone who tried out, and I am so hyped to see how all of this progresses.
?The ever-relatable Gold Scholars?
On Wednesday evening, I got to go to a Gold Scholars event and y’all? I am always just so so happy to see y’all as a bursary student myself – though not Gold (damn you student finance!), there is always this kind of comraderie feel with my fellow bursary students. Like yeah – here I am, here you are – we made it. Everyone is also always so funny – even the mentors and donors you would expect to be Very Professional aren’t afraid to crack a joke alongside their stellar life advice. I dig it, I adore it, I am now thinking about getting my postgrad personal statement in so I can be a student again…
?Getting stuck in with SUmmit?
SUmmit has POPPED off this year – including students coming forward with amazingly detailed, well researched, and enthused standpoints. Absolute highlight this week has been helping a SUmmit member hodge podge together an idea.. Again – the enthusiasm!!! It sparks so much joy!!!
?Brain melting, but still trying my best, at Academic Council?
For our first year and PGT reps, y’all had Academic Council – which you might remember for the chaotic double act of me and Zuber, or maybe more so for the pizza. Either way, thank you for coming, it was great to see you there <3
And, of course, some things OUTSIDE of the university sphere
?Fireworks and supper?
Everyone sees the fireworks at the Rec right? We parked up by Parade Gardens with Italian hot chocolate before making it back up the hill for thick garlic bread (heavy on the garlic butter, naturally) and my new favourite recipe of roast pumpkin, sage, and brown butter pastina
?Planning presents?
I always have to hold off until after Halloween, but planning Christmas presents is a fave activity. I adore to make home-made gifts where possible (which is why I’m planning now!), and if y’all are the same (or just want an excuse to get your hands messy) – the over a decade old recipe for truffles from The Guardian is always my favourite. Get a cute jar from a charity shop, wrap up with ribbon, and hey presto !
?A book event at Toppings!?
Yesterday, I got to see M L Rio of “If We Were Villains” fame at St Swithins Church and y’all? It was glorious. She has such a way with words and had so many witty phrases but what really set me off was the end. A lovely student from Bath Spa called Ruth was sat next to me and asked about what it was like to continue to write in such a weird time and the response was just Overwhelming. It all ended in a rousing (paraphrased here, as I only WISH I had recorded it) “there are always people who care for you, who love you, and who are so very glad youre here”. I could sob.
HELP! I NEED SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO, WHAT SHOULD I CHECK OUT?
? One of the museums you can get into for free with your library card (The Baths, Victoria Art Gallery, Holborne), or Parade Gardens (also free!)
? Free small hot chocolate at Knoops when you sign up for their app! (by the way, I am trying to find the best hot chocolate in Bath, so please weigh in with your opinions here)
? Smash any remaining pumpkins (I know that if yours is like mine it is getting a bit mouldy now) in the woods for the local wildlife to forage
? Get baking, or snuggle up with a hot chocolate, and listen to some spooky old timey radio shows, or check out old horror hosted by nostalgic and knowledgeable hosts.
? Explore Bath via its trees while the leaves turn orange and perfectly crunchy using one of the Bath Urban Treescape routes
? If you’re spooky inclined like me, this weekend should also be one of the last ones where you can get Halloween bits and bobs for cheap