Being the first week of this degree, I probably should have been more nervous than I was, but I was more prepared than I thought I would be. With the lecturer giving an overview of the class structure and stating that it will not just be an “I talk. You listen” lecture, which is usually difficult to concentrate on, was quiet relieving to hear that we will be doing group work and all different structured activities to learn. I’ve always been more of a hands on learner, because I find it easier to retain information if there is a discussion because the information is filtered through other people’s thoughts and its interesting to hear what other people have to say about the topic.
When asked to write to my future self about ten things that I want to be able to do/be better at/know, by the completion of your degree, I wrote:
‘Dear future self…’
- Be able to confidently present ideas and talk freely on the topic of media.
- Know more roles in the media industry (career pathways).
- Work in the field of media.
- Know exactly what I want to do and where I want to work.
- Be better at analyzing texts.
- Have industry connections.
- Better at communicating.
- Produce a piece of work that can be publically displayed.
- Be more experienced with aspects of technology.
- Be able to engage and captivate an audience.
Setting goals has never been something that is easy to do, but within the short period of time given, it didn’t give time for people to think, which I think is a good thing because it left no room for over-thinking.
During the tutorial session, I felt quite comfortable talking in front of the rest of the people in the class; there wasn’t anyone that I was quite drawn to and neither drawn away from, so I guess it is a pretty neutral environment.
Although I am comfortable with myself in this class, after receiving the first project brief about creating a “self-portrait”, I was quite wary because I’ve never really made subjective pieces of work, more distant, objective works. I don’t know why but I’ve always kind of separated myself from my work, not wanting to bring in my personality and personal thoughts and feelings because I don’t like feeling vulnerable with how people get to view my work.
Probably the most challenging thing I’m going to have to face in this course is probably the amount of theory that will need to be taken in, and then reflected upon later, like in this blog. Practical learning has always been beneficial for me so I am looking forward to the practical side of things.