Sean Murphy

July 31, 2019July 31, 2019

Packing for University – Three things you need for Edge Hill Halls

Packing for University can be daunting at the best of times, if you havn’t been away from home before it can be even scarier. Breaking things down into what you need and what you don’t can really help you get your mind straight and put you on the right track to taking what you need to University and not just everything that will fit in the car with you. In this blog I want to talk about my top three things that you should bring with you to Edge Hill University.

Bedding

Top of my list for a few reasons, not least of all the fact that it can make your room really feel like home. Bedding is important to bring for many reasons. Having a few spare pairs while you are washing one is great. Keeping your bed feeling comfy is another and I have said, it makes everything feel like home.

Something for the walls

Having bare walls can make a room feel empty, but using your new room as a way to express yourself can make everything feel calmer when you are stressed from all that is going on around you. Its important to follow University rules regarding sticking things to the walls, no nails!

The kitchen, just not the sink

Taking kitchenware with you is also very important. You might over look this. Pots, pans and cutlery. All important and should be taken with you for cooking and day to day living. Trust me, I didn’t bring a cup with me on my first day, you need those to get a drink!

That’s everything for this weeks blog, stay tuned for more about moving to Edge Hill in the future.

If you want more free and great advice email think@edgehill.ac.uk or leave a comment below and I will get back to you. If you want to suggest something to write about or want to be interviewed leave a comment below also and I will get back to you personally!

July 29, 2019July 31, 2019

Three things you’ll hear about University that just won’t be true – The rumours about Edge Hill

You’ll hear a lot of things about University, your parents and your friends will probably tell you what they think University will be like, never actually going themselves. I’ve heard so many of these assumptions and after spending two years at University there are some that are true and some that are so far off you would think they have come from a different planet. So here are my top three lies you will be told about University.

Everyone drinks and parties all the time

Infact, no, not everyone drinks. There are loads who just don’t. The only reason that people say that University is one big party is because there are some good parties there. But honestly, there are as many people who need to be up the next morning alongside the people who are listening to some music in the kitchen and having a few drinks. So don’t go into it believing this lie.

You can skip classes whenever you want

This one really isn’t true. Not only can you not skip classes because you wont pass the course but the tutors and department heads do actually check your attendance. Remember you are paying a lot to take your course so make the most of it and dont treat your classes like they are free.

You’ll be skint all the time

If you spend all your money on a Monday, and spend £200 on a night out then no matter who you are you will be skint all the time! Managing your money is hard and you will need some practice to get the hang of it. If you live within your means you wont be broke and you can actually have a pretty alright life style.

Thats all for this blog, thanks for taking the time to read it.

July 27, 2019

University Skills for real world jobs

University teaches you alot of things, every year you spend you will figure out some of the adult stuff that you might be worried about. That’s great, and even better is the fact that most of these skills and things that start to make sense to you are almost directly transferable to any job that you might get in the real world. Today I want to talk about three things that I have learned that is helping me in my current career.

1. Organization

I am terrible at keeping organized. Chaos is more my style. However with upwards of 5 projects for University work going at any one time its important that I am organized and efficient in my work. For this reason I became more organized and working in the real world this has helped me out no end. There is a direct correlation between being organized and being efficient and working better means getting paid better.

2. Work Ethic

Working can be fun, but it can also be hard. University taught me that working hard pays off in the end and that work ethic is the best way to get anywhere in life. This skill works in all aspects of life and the reminder of the reward from university for my hard work pushes me forward when dealing with seemingly impossible tasks in my own job.

3. Professionalism

The last skill that I have transferred from my University life to real life is professionalism. Working in teams at University and dealing with new people, interviews and presentations has taught me how to become professional and always keep a level head. Getting worked up over something out of my control is a bad idea and im glad to have this skill.

That’s all for this blog, but there will be another in a few days with more interesting facts from Edge Hill University.

July 12, 2019

Taking a break – Getting excited all over again

Taking a break

Getting excited about things is great. When you are really involved and love what you are doing the job almost seems to do itself. Except that might not last. Eventually the novelty can ware off. In this blog I want to talk about three ways to get yourself reinvigorated and above all excited to start on whatever you might be doing. It could be a job, or even your future.

Take a break

Alright this is the biggest, and simplest. Taking a break from what your are doing is probably the best way to realise why you enjoyed doing it in the first place. Recently I took a break from writing blogs. It was nice to break my routine. But coming back now to write this made me remember that I really enjoy sharing experiences and writing in the first place. So, take a break and regroup even if its just with yourself.

Break up the routine

As I mentioned above, taking a break can really help. But if you can’t do that then maybe its time to change how you work, and shake up your routine for the better. Maybe try doing more at once, and use the flow to propel what you are doing forward. Take a look at how you work, and change it up. Even if you move something as simple as the day you do your work can make a difference.

Consider a change

This is pretty drastic, but making a big change can be the only way to find a way to break the monotony of anything you are doing. Take everything into consideration and figure out for yourself if you need a break or if you truly are sick of what you are doing and need to make a change.

May 31, 2019June 1, 2019

Turning the Bad into Good – How to deal with being upset, sad or angry as a Student

Turning the bad into good.

Being a student is great. You get your freedom, you grow up and you meet interesting new people in a new and exciting place. With all of this going on you might be forgiven for thinking that there wont be a moment where you feel down, or something really gets on your nerves and makes you upset to the point where you really are unsure of what to do. We’ve almost all been there, and today I want to talk about three ways that Edge Hill supports you, and how you can deal with these feelings.

Speak to someone

One of the best ways to overcome any problem is to share it. The reason that people say a problem shared is a problem halved is because there really is some truth behind it. Edge Hill offers counselling services on campus as well as teams of people ready to help with any specific issue such as learning, money, accommodation and your general well being.

Write it down

Having a pen and paper in hand is a great way to put those thoughts somewhere not inside your head. If you and write about it you have a better chance of thinking it through and finding a solution to your problem. But never keep it just to yourself. It can build up and cause yourself some serious problems.

Put it in context

The last, and hardest of my tips, is to put whatever is going on in your life into context. It is important to take everything into consideration where you are feeling down. Reminding yourself that its not the end of the world and putting it into the context of the rest of your life can remind you that its not all bad, and things will always get better.

That’s all for this blog but if you want more tips for dealing with stress at University check out my other blog here.

Dealing with Stress at University – Stress is like the flu, everyone usually gets it

And if you want more free and great advice email think@edgehill.ac.uk or leave a comment below and I will get back to you. If you want to suggest something to write about or want to be interviewed leave a comment below also and I will get back to you personally!

May 29, 2019

Things for your room – Making Edge Hill feel like home

Things for your room, Making Edge Hill feel like home

Moving to a new room all by yourself can be difficult and even a scary experience. This place is going to be all yours, and making it feel like home is an important part of relaxing yourself. There are loads of things that you could bring with you, but incase you were looking for some suggestions here are three things that I think all students should take, to make their new room feel like home.

Bedding

Something that you touch and interact every day is going to be imporatnt. Your beeding is not only something that you have to touch, but look at. Having your bedding from home can make you room feel that bit more friendly. Also, just having the smell of the same fabric conditioner makes a big difference.

Posters

Having something to decorate your walls is great. You can have motivational posters, or even like myself a map of my home country. If you have some posters in your room at home it might be a good idea to take them with you and hang them in your new room.

Furniture

Taking small pieces of furniture from home is another way to make your room feel like home. A show rack, or coat rack. Radiator cover or table cover. Whatever it is, you will always know when you look at it that it came from home. So dont go buying all new furniture just yet.

Thats all for this weeks blog. Thanks for the read.

May 25, 2019

Staying through the summer – Living in Ormskirk year round

Title Image

Ormskirk is a busy place with people coming and going for Edge Hill University during term time. Outside of that it can seem peaceful without the hussle and bussle of students. So living here for a prolonged holiday, through the summer, can be abit daunting. You might find yourself without friends that you had made in University itself. But for many foreign students, even though the world is constantly becoming smaller with low cost airlines, living here year round is a fact of life. So here are my three tips for living in Ormskirk through the summer months.

Get Ahead by finding some work that fits your degree. Plenty of firms will have summer internships for you to get ahead and pack into your CV. Apart from that the cash is great. Could save enough for a holiday, or even a car because you will have plenty of time to get your hours in.

Discover Ormskirk and find yourself all the amazing places that you would be otherwise too busy with study or class to visit. There are loads of these, Ruff Woods to the Water Tower! Or check out the local shops, there are plenty of places you might not have visited before.

Find the fun at all of the local events going on. Comedy night at Mylo, Quiz night at Styles or just a quiet pint in the Horseshoe you will always find some vibrant night life in the town during summer. The weekend markets will give you something to do in the morning also.

Thats all for this weeks blog, but if you want to check out more to do in Ormskirk you can visit the Google Travel guide here.

May 15, 2019

Dealing with the Flu at University – Taking care of yourself at Edge Hill University

Dealing with the Flu

When thinking about what I wanted to talk about in this weeks blog, it hit me almost with comedic timing. I got the flu. I thought about the first time I got the flu at University. October 2017. Waking up with a sore throat and a headache I knew it was going to be a bad day, and the next wouldn’t be much better. I was right, it got worse before it got better. It got me thinking about how I make myself feel better, and I thought i’d share my top three tips with you all, because you will most likely end up with the flu at some point too.

Paracetamol

Alright this one is basic, but get some Paracetamol and keep them in your room for when you do need them. You never want to walk out when your ill to get some, and its worth having them for when you need it. They are a essential tool in helping yourself feel better throughout the day.

Water and diluting juice

Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day, drink water and its probbably even worth having some juice too for taste. This is a big one, and you probbably know it already but its easy to forget. Keep yourself nice and refreshed throughout the day.

Good food

Having food is not only going to keep your energized but it can even distract you from that headache thats been killing you all day. Soup is a good start, but fruit like Oranges and Pineapple are amazing at pepping you up. Its worth getting something your going to enjoy when you are sick, the better you feel the faster you will get over it.

Thats all for this blog, thanks for taking the time to read it.

April 30, 2019April 30, 2019

There’s Something Funny in Ormskirk – Late Night comedy at Mylo & Co.

Mylo Banner

Comedy is one of the great social experiences. I have never been one for going to comedy clubs but i’ve found one in Ormskirk that I couldn’t resist sharing. The Mylo & Co comedy club hosted by A Rush of Laughter is compèred by Adam Rushton every second Sunday at 8 PM. The shows are unique and always sure to have you in tears laughing. Local talent meets those from as far afield as Canada. We’re not talking small time acts either the likes of Mock the Weeks very own Jo Caulfield has graced the stage! In celebration of this amazing event and in the spirit of supporting the local comedy club this blog is three things that you should know about Mylo & Co’s Comedy Club.

No photo description available. Get your tickets early! They sell out, fast. Big acts draw big crowds. Tickets are usually £7.50 and can be bought from the bar or online in The Mylo Comedy Facebook group! The tickets will have everything you need on them know on them.

The community at Mylo Get to know the crowd because the best thing about the club is that everybody is friendly, and funny. The inside jokes are always the funiest and the crowd at Mylo’s Comedy club isn’t ever short on them. You might even see me there, drinking one of the amazing cocktails they serve.

Image may contain: drink, table and food If Carlsberg did cocktails they still wouldn’t be as good as Mylo’s. Everyone who works behind the bar knows exactly what they are doing and have a true passion for creating something unique and memorable when it comes to drinks. My personal favourite is an Irish Mule with Rhubarb, made by Roo the number one man behind the bar at Mylo & Co. Whatever your tastes there will be something on the menu for you.

Something Funny in Ormskirk, Comedy at MyLo & Co

Thats all for this weeks blog, but if you want to find out more about Mylo & Co’s Comedy night check out their Facebook group here! Join and watch some videos!

April 22, 2019

3 Reasons to Love On-Campus Accomodation – Living in Edge Hill University

Three Reasons to Love Living on Campus

Edge Hill has by far some of the best accomodation in all of the UK when it comes to students, and it has the trophys to prove it. Voted best accomodation by Student Crowd, WhatUni and the National Student Housing Awards you would be hard pressed to find anywhere that comes close to both the experience and the quality of the on campus accomodation on offer.

To celebrate this I want to give you three reasons why you as a new first year will love living on campus that you might not find on the blurb for these awards.

You’ve got a place to sleep when you come falling out of the SU bar at two in the morning with your flatmates. No need to worry about finding a taxi, or rushing for the last train. You’ve got a bed waiting and even some left over pasta in the kitchen. Life is good. Your not so lucky mates can head to the 24/7 Catalyst to study in the library till morning.

Wake up, walk out, class is around the corner and after your late night this is handy, saves you rolling in late to a full lecture hall. Safe in the knowledge that the automaticly locking door closed behind you, everything in your room is safe. Even better, if its a Friday the cleaners will be there at 10 to make sure your kitchen is sparkling clean.

Turn your heating on because its cold and because you are paying bills included in your accomodation you wont have to worry about it. Go out and stick on the TV in the kitchen, because guess what? The T.V. License is taken care of. Have a shower, that hot water might aswell be free because you’ve already paid for it. Dont waste it though, think of captian planet.

Thats three, but here’s the big one.

You’ll love living on campus, and thats great. But you’ll love it even more when you move out into your own house. Living on campus is great, and an excellent way to get your ready to move out by yourself. Enjoy it while it lasts, but try and pick up on the little things, like budgeting your money for your own bills so when you are trying to pay for household bills like electrictiy if and when you move out it’s not a struggle.

Thats all for this blog. If you want to find out more about on campus accomodation you can read my other blog here: