Final Year Diary

By Sadhbh Hendrick

Dear Diary,

Boy, oh boy, has it been a whirlwind of a week. I’m writing this off the back of three midterms, the submission of two assignments, a multitude of final year project investigations and, well, you catch my drift.

By the time this goes to print, the Student Race Day will have come and gone. I am envious of all of you heading there because your girl here is headed for the reading room… 25% exam on Tuesday and, I’m no Paddy Power, but I don’t think the odds to pass would be in my favour if I were to grace the lands of Ballybrit for the day. I look forward to seeing all of the Insta stories of the fab outfits and boomerangs of the horses crossing the finishing line. All of them. Every single one of them. I can’t wait. Honestly, I can’t.

Halloween is also just around the corner. I’m curious as to what the Harley Quinn costume of this year will be. Georgie? The Joker? Who knows? Speaking of The Joker though, goodness me is that a movie and a half. Being honest, I do not go to the cinema wishing to be scared silly leaving. I do not enjoy having to furiously examine my surroundings as soon as I set foot outside the IMC. And for those reasons, The Joker was just not to my taste. The acting was fantastic and all those other artsy things like cinematography you’re supposed to comment on (@Junior Cert English Media Studies) were unbelievable. The storyline, however, was simply too eerie for my liking. No hate.

Given the fact today is the first day it has felt seriously winter-y (there’s a bite in it, as the man says), let us have a moment of silence for all of us feeling the next level chill that is student house cold. It really is next level. My bowl of cornflakes this morning was really added to with the generous serving of being able to see my breath. Say what you like, wearing 3 jumpers, putting on the heat and having a cuppa permanently attached to your hands still has nothing on these sub-zero conditions. Probably one of the things I look forward to most when I finish college is housing of adequate and even cosy temperatures.

My latest survival necessity for final year is scented candles. Personal favourite is Rhubarb & Vanilla from Laura Ashley #NotAnAd #DefinitelyNotSponsored #DefinitelyOpenToOffers. I believe I have perfected the art of creating soft lighting in my student accommodation with desk lamps and candles. They really aid relaxing, when you’re trying to, all of a sudden, dissociate your desk with study and turn your room into a place of peace and rest. I must credit this to years of watching Francis Brennan teach us necessary life hacks. If you missed out, maybe give one of his books a read. Once again, #NotSponosored. I am, however, here to provide fascinating insights and Francis Brennan’s books are chuckle worthy.