A typical day as a Journalism student probably starts like most other university student’s – dragging yourself out of bed and pouring yourself a bowl of supermarket own brand cereal before getting ready for a busy day at BU. Apart from that, I don’t think I can give a description of a ‘typical day’ because every day involves something new and exciting.

I won’t lie to you, being a journo (or BAMMJ’s as we are often called) does not involve going into uni simply twice a week, having a bit of reading and a few essays to complete, it’s go go go. I’m pretty sure I spend half my life at uni at the moment but that doesn’t mean I don’t love it. We’ll see how I feel when it gets to exam season…

Particularly in first year, a lot of days will involve a shorthand lesson. Shorthand is the short form of handwriting that journalists use to save time when doing interviews. It kind of looks like hieroglyphics and is almost as hard to learn, trust me. This consists of desperately trying to learn the theory and keep up with the speed you’re aiming for, from 60 to 100 words per minute – yes, you read that right, 100 words per minute. But once you get the hang of it and do regular practise it’s not too bad.

This could then be followed by lectures in media law or public affairs, producing news broadcasts in the television studios, interviewing guests on a live radio show or even walking round Bournemouth town centre searching for stories and interviewing people. There are also occasionally exciting opportunities like reporting live during the US election from uni. There was an amazing atmosphere and I had the best time despite the unfortunate result…

Free time is spent looking for people to interview, researching stories and writing them up before sharing them with the world on your university journalism blog.

One of my favourite things about this course is that you pick what YOU want to write about or produce. Whether you’re into sport, music, fashion, politics, you design your own course, the choice is endless and it means you end up being passionate about all your work. The best part of being a BAMMJ student is that there isn’t a ‘typical’ day, you’re learning new skills and every day is a step towards that career.