Today's post is brought to you (sans sponsorship, of course!) courtesy of the cosiness of what was always one of my favourite Student Union outlets - our very own vintage tea shop, Curiositea. So I suppose I should start here. It's as gorgeous as I remember, with a few additions that have only made it more welcoming, like the stickering of a table at the front for priority access by people with disabilities (photographic evidence below). Huge thanks to Warwick Enable (the disability society, which had only just started when I left) and the SU for this subtle but significant change - no more awkward bumping into tables for me! As I sit here on a Tuesday afternoon, staring out at the rain and sipping on a mint hot chocolate (some things never change!), I know I'll be whiling away just as many hours in this manner over the course of my PhD as I did as an undergraduate. All that's missing are the friends I used to share it with - especially my intellectual twin and fellow JP, Jade Passfield - but lots of you are back, so let's chill here soon, please?
The theme of newfound (and new-created) accessibility pretty much sums up my experience of returning so far. The central area of campus has been hugely revamped and, whilst that is rather confusing because I thought I knew my way around (as my friend Lily put on Facebook last night, where do you get a bus!?), it is mostly proving to be a good thing. The dropped curbs can legitmately be called dropped curbs (a rarity in this largely non-wheely world!), it's far less crowded on pavements than it used to be, and there's a proper double and automatic door on the grocery shop, probably because it's no longer Costcutter and has recently been taken under SU ownership. So, aside from the fact that I nearly couldn't collect my student card last week because the lift up to the Panorama Room was broken and I had to send my dear Mama to beg, I'm pretty impressed.
And that's before I've even had departmental inductions. Eep!
Which reminds me, I'm now officially a doctoral student, though how exactly that happened I'm not sure. I still feel like a baby fresher...but this year's actual baby freshers were born in 1997. WHAT!?
On that somewhat sobering thought, I'll sign off - because, however old I feel, it's really good to be back. I've missed you, Universitas Warwicensis. Here's to the next three or so years, eh?
And that's before I've even had departmental inductions. Eep!
Which reminds me, I'm now officially a doctoral student, though how exactly that happened I'm not sure. I still feel like a baby fresher...but this year's actual baby freshers were born in 1997. WHAT!?
On that somewhat sobering thought, I'll sign off - because, however old I feel, it's really good to be back. I've missed you, Universitas Warwicensis. Here's to the next three or so years, eh?
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