UNI

This year, I hit quite a milestone. I became a university student in October when I started my degree in Language Studies with German and French at the Open University. This week is the last week of the first semester, so I decided to write an article about my uni experience so far.

This year, I am studying German and a module called Exploring Languages and Cultures, which, as the title suggests, is about the science of language and culture. The two classes are interesting in their separate fashions. 

Firstly, the German module deals with the vocabulary and the grammar of the German language (yes, weird for a German class, I know 😂) as well as the traditions, culture and history of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. People who have been reading The Non-Verbal Linguist for a while will know that German is my favourite foreign language, so you probably won’t be surprised to hear that I’m three months ahead with my work on this module!  Although some of the work is just revision from my days at Edinburgh College, the module has helped consolidate my grasp on the more complex German grammatical concepts that I was a little shaky on in college. I’m still adjusting to the absence of Isobel, and even though I kinda miss her, not having her has caused me to become more independent in my studies, especially in finding out information!  I’m finding problems I would have asked Isobel for help with last year; I can now figure out independently with some creative thinking. I have never scored below 88% in the three assignments that I have gotten back so far, so I must be doing something right!

Exploring Languages and Cultures deals with the syntax (construction) of different languages, how people learn language, different types of communication, etc. It is a lot of reading and writing, but I find it interesting. One of my most notable eureka moments happened two weeks ago when I found out that the thing I had been calling Dinglish for three years was actually a genuine concept called code-mixing that me and Lisa dīdn’t, in fact, make up! The assessment method for this module is solely through essays, which get marked down if the grammar is wrong! Having failed N5 English not once but three times, I was very nervous about this. However, my mum recommended a program called Grammarly, which is actually helping me write this article! I have to say, thanks to this piece of software, I have produced two high-quality academic texts, which I never thought was possible!

Finally, I have to discuss Aoife. Pretty much since I applied to the OU, this young woman has stopped me from freakīng out, made me laugh and been there for me. My cousin started uni at the same time as me (different universities), and I remember my aunt saying that uni friends are important in your life, and I can now see what she meant. Aoife has been a big part of my university experience, and I couldn’t imagine this chapter without her.

 In conclusion, the transition from college to uni has undoubtedly been an interesting period, and personal issues have made it more interesting. Still, I can see how much I’m academically and personally developing. I can’t wait to see what next semester holds. 

eemmcg💜