This seat

I sat on this seat about 11 years ago when I had just had an interview to get onto a course at The University of Bristol. I had decided to attempt a change in career direction and had to fill in 4 choices of Uni. I opted for Exeter (I know the Uni quite well), Manchester (cos it was convenient to home), Nottingham (know the Uni relatively well) and Bristol (cos I had somewhere free to stay the night before). Although my heart was set on Exeter pre-interview I changed my mind after the interview stage and sat on the bench I have taken this picture from. The bench is located at College Green, overlooking the Cathedral. I decided at that moment that if I got offered a place at Bristol I would take it.

For a year I lived literally a few meters away from this bench in a hall of residence for international students (I think it was an admin error I ended up there). I lived with a guy from Crete, a girl from Korea, a historian from Serbia and Eva a mechanical engineer from Paris who was Morrocan but came from Paris and had attended Uni in Angers (a town twinned with Wigan that's another story!) It was an amazing but tiring year. I sat on the bench for a second time just before I left my lovely shared flat at the end of my studies. I never went to my graduation as I had my heart set on doing another course at the Uni.

Today I was back in Bristol again and had a positive tutorial...I really feel motivated and happy. I also feel that my tutor has faith in me which is much needed. Usually I go straight home after a tutorial or go to the library....today I knew I had to go and sit on the bench again...for the third time. The next time I sit on it will be when I graduate :-)