Group Project

In your second year there is one module where you will have to be in a group to produce a group project report.  This is in the Software and Project Management module of the engineering course.  The group can be made up of 5 or 6 people.  My group contains 6 people including myself.  In order for any group to be successful, firstly there needs to be a group leader.  This is known as the “Project Manager”.  

This week we had the introduction to the implementation stage of the project.  For your information, this is the 4^th stage of the Waterfall Development Lifecycle that organisations use on a daily basis.  Having to produce this implementation for the project is a top priority for all of us on the course and especially within my group.  We were preparing for the hectic weeks ahead.  There is so much to do but, not much time to do everything therefore, we need to have great focus on the project in order to be successful.  

Setting objectives is an outline goal in which allows each member to understand what is going to happen and where we all need to be.  By doing this, it is the second way for any group to be successful.

The objective for the group to complete this project is: to complete the implementation and then testing stage (5^th stage) of the Waterfall Development Lifecycle within a month period to the highest standard.

To begin the process of completing the project, it is very wise to understand every member of the group’s skills and their individual ability to carry out certain assigned tasks.  From clarifying the group member skills, tasks can be given to the right person to develop and produce an outstanding piece of work.  Once the tasks have been completed, they can be merged together into the final full report document, edited and reviewed a number of times and then sent off to the client/stakeholder.  In this case as it is a University group project, the client/stakeholder is the lecturer.

Good Week, Good Results

This week has been absolutely great! It has been a much better start to the second year in the second term.  I received lots of good news and results this week – from both university and my industrial placement that I applied for.  Things are looking up. 

This weekend is going to be a well-deserved resting period however; I will be celebrating first and resting later.  Going out with my friends and having a good time is so long overdue and a definite MUST!

Good week + Good Results = CELEBRATION!!

Time to party, have loads of fun and live the uni life that I had in first year.  (Not too crazy though).

http://gowild-parties.co.uk/Images/Party_logo.gif

At this moment in time at university, I have no assignments and exams/test coming up anytime soon so that’s a relief.  On the other hand, in the back of my head I know there will be one or two set in the coming week.  By checking the course handbook, it clarifies the schedule that the lecturers are following.  It shows the week beginning of when the lecturers are planning to set the assignments and the assignment due dates for which they needed to be handed in.  It is very handy to go by these dates so you can prioritise your work and maybe involve your social life in the timescale(s).

It is always a good feeling to know you have finished work and you are now able to relax but not for too long because there is always more work coming just around the corner.  It is never ending university work.  In the long term, it will all pay off so don’t feel discouraged or think, “When is this going to end?”, because it will eventually.

That’s enough about my happy times for this week. I’ll keep you guys posted. Hope you have enjoyed my blog.

New Year, New Term

The start of a new year and a start of a new term means there will be changes.  Tackling the changes might be a challenge but hopefully they can be dealt with.  Now like last year, the university work load is assured but it won’t get you down if it’s all done in good time.  Planning is key.  Everything that went wrong last term needs to be addressed and changed.  No more messing around because as my parents say, “Time and opportunity comes only once.  The time wasted will never come back”.  These words are so true.  It’s hard to say but they have a point and they know what they are talking about.  

Finishing university with a good degree is my ultimate goal and I am confident to achieve and succeed at this.  I have promised myself that I will not be easily distracted anymore and will be focused and concentrate on my work.  This is the only way to achieve and be successful.  I have a direct plan and I am starting to walk in the right direction from now en route to gain a very good degree.

As I walk forward on my journey to success, I am determined to push myself to get where I need to be by putting in all the hours and work I feel is more than enough.

The university work is very demanding which means there is no rest or days off.  My new saying in my head will be: Work, Work, Work!! 

Happy New Year 2013

2013 is here.  A New Year I am so happy to see.  Glad to be in a new year.  It is brilliant.  I have my friends and family by my side.  Hope everyone’s Christmas and New Years’ was a good celebration.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I had a nice relaxing and fun time with family and friends and also some alone time to reflect and get some university work done.  I can’t forget about doing university work.  It is very important and my ultimate main priority.

Thinking back in the end days of 2012, I kept asking myself the question …

… WHAT AM I GOING TO DO BETTER FOR 2013?

These bullet points below are some of the things that I came up with

·        Put my work first

·        Achieve to the best of my ability

·        Persevere and never give up

·        Work hard at all times

·        No distractions

·        Concentrate on what is important

·        Enjoy life

It is all about building up a great future for yourself so why not start off the year with a bang.

Whatever happens this year, make it a good one.  Leave the past in the past; it’s time for a fresh start.  All the mistakes that were made last year are not to be repeated.  As humans, most of us learn from our mistakes and promise never to make them again.  If you’re like that then that’s great.  You can move on in life without thinking of past issues. 

The best advice I could give is focus on work and don’t waste time on unnecessary things.

Countdown to Christmas

Christmas is near! I cannot wait to be back home.  It is going to be brilliant.  I have my friends and family waiting for my arrival.  However, before the excitement, I have to stop and think, what is Christmas really all about?

Christmas is a time of giving, and celebrating the birth of Jesus (Christian belief).  It is a great festive time of the year that draws people together.  I personally love this time of year due to the different atmosphere that is created around this festive period.  Joy, happiness, family, and friends coming together, presents and food are just a few factors that are involved around Christmas.  I believe it is a time where people can wipe the slate clean and ask for forgiveness. There will be peace between others and a kind act of sharing and love will be consumed.

Overall, it is a time to reflect on the good things you have in life and appreciate them more than you had ever done before.  Never take things or people for granted because one day you will truly need it or them but might not have it or them around anymore.

Always learn from your mistakes and try to put them right.  Be thankful this Christmas and enjoy yourself.  Please don’t drink too much Mulled Wine and eat too much Christmas cake and mince pies.  All should be done in moderation. J

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE and I hope you have a great break.  Rest well and stay safe.  Get ready to party but also remember to do your university work.

Looking forward to the New Year 2013, see you there.  Peace. Joy. Happiness!!

The big approach to Christmas

If you haven’t already realised, Christmas is just around the corner.  That means it’s time to start your Christmas shopping and send out the family invites or receive the family invites.  If you are fortune to go away this Christmas then, that is a big bonus.  Unfortunately, I will not be abroad this year therefore,  I will be stuck here in the cold.  The plus side of staying here though is, it should still be great fun spending time with my family and friends.  In the meantime during the festive season, I will be having to sort out my assignments that will be due on my return to university.

I hope that I can relax over this nice festive break and not worry about university.  I would not like to be stressed out about university work over that period.  Definitely looking forward to being back home with my family and friends, enjoying each others company, receiving and giving presents and eating lots of food.  Hopefully nothing spoils the plans.

One hard decision currently in my mind is deciding what present(s) to get each person.  It takes a lot of thinking, preparation, budgeting and not forgetting the main thing: “time” to get the perfect present for everyone. 

I plan to volunteer my time; during this festive break, to shelters or places where they feed the hungry and needy people.  I do like to play my part in society when I have time to spare.  I need to get my priorities straight then, all the fun can come afterwards ideally. 

In my household, it’s a family tradition to put the christmas tree and lights up together.  It cannot be missed for any reason.  Already, I have seen christmas lights up in and on people’s house nevertheless, the stores have got ahead of the game as they started selling christmas items back in late September, early October.  All I know is, I cannot wait to see the snow, and enjoy my Christmas break off from university.

Assignments, tests, meetings… … Anymore!

These past few weeks have been very hectic.  So much to do but, so little time.   To be honest, when I first saw my timetable I thought it was great.  OH, how I was wrong!! I underestimated it completely.  Ever since the first assignment it hasn’t been a smooth time at university.  No breaks, no weekends, just work, work, work.  The pressure mounts up till you can’t think of what to do next.  Even if you start your work on time, it doesn’t help the fact that you have a minimum of five things to do, all at once.  There isn’t time to have much of a social life either.

University life is hard to manage when you’ve got other personal things to sort out.  Remember I mentionned applying to work placements for my year out of university before I graduate?... Well I have been occupied with work placement applications these past couple of weeks.  I am just waiting to hear back from the companies now.  I guess I did get distracted from my university work by applying to the different companies.  That wasn’t not good at all because now it means I have to sacrifice my social time in order to get back on track.

I have learnt that it is not only about what you can get out of something, it is what you can do or put into that thing in order to fulfil your full potential.  The best thing to do is work hard.  Put your head down and work.  Once it’s over, you can rejoice and celebrate because you will regain your freedom and life.

Going back to first year when the days were much more fun and less tiring would be a wish come true but not at very possible.  Second year is a learning curve that you as a person have to be willing to take.  I am a person who is willing to take on this learning curve and fulfil my potential.  Now ask yourself the question: “Are you?”