Mine
are quite simple. I would describe my
2012 as life-changing, emotional and character-building.
I
have had to adapt to a year full of change.
I don’t think I’ve said as many goodbyes as I have had this year. Some were for the best, others as it was
natural progression and some it was really sad.
There have been testing times but I ended the year with a degree and more life experience. So
here is how 2012 turned out for me in my opinion.
A difficult start
2012
began difficult for me. I had been ill
over Christmas and started January on antibiotics for the second time in three years.
 |
| I don't think Valentino Rossi needs to be worried about my motorcycling skills! |
I
visited the Autosport International Show in January for the annual motorsport
exhibition, and I must say it was one of the best years for the show. I will be back in 2013 to experience the
atmosphere and the buzz at the LG Arena in Birmingham for the 10th
consecutive year.
As
winter turned towards spring, the end was getting ever closer in regards to my
time at the University of Northampton.
I
had some mixed results at the start of third year, and getting the degree
classification on my journalism course I wanted was touch and go.
Then
I worked harder than ever before. I
spent day after day in the edit suites filming, editing and interviewing people
for my TV project.
This
project challenged me as did my final dissertation and at times, I let the
pressure get to me.
In
February, I even considered whether I was chasing the right path in my future
career. A lecture talk from former NME
editor Neil Spencer left me with plenty to think about.
He
gave a real negative persona to the media industry and I wasn’t sure if I was prepared
for long slog in the world of journalism.
Eventually,
I decided to stick with journalism and it proved to be the right decision.
Some satisfying
results and goodbye to Clarks
As
I was approaching the end of my life in education, another chapter was closing
and that was in my part-time retail work at Clarks Shoes.
I
was working at the Northampton branch, since making a permanent move to the area
in September 2010.
However,
I couldn’t stay there after the end of June because I was leaving Northampton after
my course, so I was hoping to get a transfer back to Milton Keynes.
Unfortunately
they didn’t have the hours I required and in May, I had to hand in my notice
and get prepared to leave.
The
job was never the most exciting but it kept the money ticking over, especially
at Uni and I met some amazing people in six and a half years, in two completely
different environments.
My
last shift was on 9 June 2012. It was a sad goodbye but I was excited to
finally leave the retail market.
As
my time with Clarks reached its conclusion – my results at University improved
and I started finding my best form in March, which was the UK summer this year!
I
completed my major individual project, a 10 minute TV documentary into modern technology
and how it has changed our everyday lives.
You
can see the video below:
I
also took part in the Current Affairs Show, a 30 minute radio programme which
was recorded by me and two of my fellow coursemates, Lauren Bowen and Miles
Aitkenhead.
Surprisingly,
I found this module to be quite exciting to do.
I did my own telephone interview without any hassle and when we put the
show together in April, we were excited and the results came back very well
too.
I
can honestly say that it was the best group I ever worked with. The three of us had one goal and that was to
get it done and get it done with some quality and style. The Current Affairs show can be listened to
here.
It
also opened a new door into a radio career…more on that later.
The end of University
and a brilliant final couple of nights
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| My dissertation was an interesting challenge to complete |
Wednesday,
16 May 2012 and it was all over. The
final project was handed in just before lunchtime – I had officially finished
as a journalism student at the University of Northampton.
I
didn’t want to leave to be honest; I knew it was great to finish but sad to
finish at the same time.
I
had done all I could to get the results I desired and now, I just had to wait and hope.
In
the meantime, it was time to party and that night, the majority of the
journalism group went out into town to the NB’s Sports Bar and the Fever nightclub.
While
Fever was a real letdown, I had so much fun in NB's.
Apart from one night out in early February at the preferred nightclub
destination of Balestra in Northampton – I had focused on my degree and now, it
was time to enjoy myself.
 |
| Farida and me in NB's on the final journalism party night. As a course, we did it! |
I
had such a laugh that night. There were
plenty of drinks, some crazy dancing (apparently I’m quite the dancer….) and I
did a few things that were slightly out of character but the night was memorable.
We
hadn’t gone out as a massive group since my own birthday the previous October and it was great to socialise with my coursemates.
A
lot of us had many differences with our personalities, and I’m not the easiest
person to get on with at times, or the most interesting individual to meet but
we knew how to party.
We
did it and we finished in the best fashion possible!
 |
| Lights out! The Silverstone Grad Ball lived upto expectations |
10
days after the NB’s madness, it was destination Silverstone for the 2012 Grad
Ball. What a lovely night that was
too. I even dressed up smarted and
booted for the event and I’m not the smartest person ever when it comes to
these occasions.
Professor
Green rocked the stage after Rizzle Kicks pulled out, one of them was ‘ill.’ It was great to be at the home of the British
Grand Prix and to be in the lovely Wing pits complex for the night.
It
was another special night and well worth the price for going.
Friendships and
graduation
What
I have learnt this year more than anything, is about the value of friendship and where the line needs to be drawn.
I
had to deal with people talking about me online (not directly mentioned but
aimed around me) in both April and June.
That
was not nice and led to me taking disappearing acts from Twitter and
Facebook. I changed my Twitter username
from @HappyDude88 to @Siwri88 in February for professional reasons and I’m
still trying to find the right balance with social media.
I
think I’ve found it with both Twitter and LinkedIn (joined in January). My use of Facebook has still caused me more trouble than what it is worth - it is now the poor cousin relation to both Twitter and LinkedIn.
BBM
also caused me problems in the summer.
It might be free but sometimes, you can come across as an entirely
different individual. I will look
forward to ditching the BlackBerry in September 2013.
Then
there were the goodbyes to some of my closest pals from University, pretty much
for the last time. I have some regrets
and at times, my honesty cost me more than what was expected.
 |
| With Tamika on graduation day: One of the sweetest and kindest individuals I've ever met |
Luckily
I didn’t need the tissues at any stage, but it still feel strange to not see
some that were around me almost day in, day out for the last three years.
After
Uni, I’ve distanced from some for the right reasons, while some just drifted away. However, I would say I stay in touch
closely with at least four coursemates from Uni and occasionally speak to
around 10 others.
So
this leads me into the big graduation day in July. The event was held at the Derngate Theatre in
Northampton.
 |
| The certificate confirming my degree. No-one can take this away! |
I
was so nervous in the build-up, hoping I didn’t look like a clown in the gown,
or make sure my name was pronounced correctly.
Luckily
on the day, it all went to plan.
Although some of my behaviour could have been better on the day, it was
a nice feeling to have my final degree classification of a 2:1 down on a certificate. I worked massively hard for that!
So
it was goodbye to my coursemates, the lecturers and to Northampton, both the
University and my accommodation. It was
time for the next chapter.
A new chapter and
moving on
I
do miss my sole independence although I have settled back into everyday life
with my beloved family in Milton Keynes.
I
made a final visit back to Northampton in October, just before my 24th
birthday to collect all of my work.
It
felt like I finally found closure, as I did miss not being a student
anymore. I still do but that’s life –
you have to move on.
Amidst
all the celebrations of summer events like the Diamond Jubilee and Euro 2012, there was also the
small matter of the London Olympics.
It
inspired a generation and it inspired me too.
What a spectacular 17 days of competition and there were so many
highlights.
 |
| The golden postboxes in Milton Keynes. Nice one Greg! |
I
was delighted when local lad from Bletchley Greg Rutherford won the Men’s Long
Jump, as that meant we had two golden post-boxes painted by Royal Mail in his
honour of winning gold.
The
women’s football excited me, as did Andy Murray’s gold medal in the tennis at
Wimbledon, the feats of Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah and of course, Usain Bolt’s
three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay.
Although
I didn’t have the privilege of being at the Olympic Stadium, either as a spectator or
working in media, I did go to BT London Live twice, once at Hyde Park and once
at Victoria Park in August.
 |
| Great day experiencing Olympic atmosphere |
Both
were lovely sunny days and were great occasions to sample and experience the
atmosphere.
And
so a new chapter has begun. Unfortunately, a paid freelancing contract collapsed recently with Total Football Magazine, meaning I had to leave after six months of hard graft, but I have begun a career in radio, hosting the F1 Zone on Bee Vocal which
will be back in February and I am dedicated to new and future challenges.
2012
has thrown up plenty of challenges. I
had to say plenty of goodbyes and make some difficult decisions. The year could have gone a bit smoother and
it has been tough but would I have swapped any of it – not a lot of it anyway.
I
do hope 2013 is a little bit less dramatic and a bit quieter though!
Merry
Christmas everyone and have a Happy New Year!
By Simon Wright
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