Stacey Aspindale - BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies

This course really caught my eye as it focuses on children and young people, covering a broad range of subjects such as education, society and child development. There is also a focus on current thinking with regards to multi-agency working and child protection which I hadn’t studied before. There have been many guest speakers, particularly in the area of special educational needs and inclusion, which was my favourite module on the course. I have recently become a course representative and attend regular meetings to discuss any issues about the course that fellow students have raised with me. I liaise between students and tutors and have a chance to mould my course for future students. After graduation I aim to undertake a PGCE in general primary education. I would love to become a primary school teacher, possibly specialising in special educational needs.

The University facilities are excellent. The Library is new and has different ‘zones’, including a quiet zone for when you really need to concentrate. There are smaller group study rooms to hire which I have taken advantage of when I have undertaken group projects. The Student’s Union boasts a vast amount of clubs and societies and all are eager for you to try new things when they promote themselves at the freshers fayre.I have taken part in a couple of volunteering activities through the University Volunteering Society (VIP) and have recently joined the classical ballet society which I really enjoy. Many of the clubs and societies have weekly and monthly socials when members dress up and go out as a big group, which are usually a real laugh.

Purple Door is an excellent service that gives recruitment help and advice. Through Purple Door I found some volunteer work with children and I was helped to improve the layout and content of my CV when I attended a ‘CV Wednesday’ session.  My friends and I have also used the 'ASK' academic support and Student Housing. When we decided to move out of halls and into a house, we used the housing list from Student Housing and found a great landlord registered with the University with whom we have stayed with throughout our second and third year.

I fell in love with Portsmouth instantly, the seafront is lovely and the coach tour showed me great places to socialise and have fun....which I have had lots of! After living in the Midlands all of my life it’s great to be so close to the seafront. There is nothing better than a BBQ on the common when the sun is shining or a walk along the seafront when you need time to think. I love the fact that Portsmouth is so flat and everything is within walking distance. The nightlife here is great and there are plenty of cheap student nights at various nightclubs in the city and also cosy pubs if you feel like a quieter night.