Passing the Torch & Sealing the Chapter

As it's the last day of June, I've been reflecting all day on what a strange month it has been. It has been great in so many ways, but strange because it made me realise that the past 9 months have flown by way too quickly.

This month I got my degree result, had many 'lasts' in Nottingham (nights out, last work shift, trip to the library, drink at the SU bar...), and I also had to face the slow realisation that this was it. My 4 years at the University of Nottingham had come to an end. It has been an amazing 4 years and I wouldn't change a single thing about my experience. My year abroad was also an incredible cherry on top of a diligently iced cake.

Another thing that occurred was that Maddie and I, who founded Her Campus Nottingham and managed kept it going all year, met with the new Co-Editor-in-Chiefs and Head of Publicity & Social Media. We had a nice lunch with them whilst discussing the ins-and-outs of their duties, what it takes to keep HC Nottingham going, and future plans for the year ahead. We also gave them some presents that we have no use for anymore (including a brand new HC banner, shown in the picture below.)

This meeting was the point at which I realised that things in Nottingham were coming to an end. I'd been in the comfort of my position all year, and suddenly had the realisation that HC Nottingham was now out of my and Maddie's hands. I think we did a great job though, and couldn't have done it without an enthusiastic and talented team. I'm looking forward to seeing HC Nottingham grow next year and will probably check the website regularly, like a mother looking out for her chicks!

Meeting with the new exec of HC Nottingham was only one of several things this month to bring out my sentimental side. Going out or heading to the park in the sun meant that I was spending some precious last hours in Nottingham with friends new and old, and even though we will keep in touch and see each other in the future, Nottingham will no longer be our playground.

Settling in at home hasn't been nearly as bad as I imagined - although my university bed is 100% irreplaceable. It has almost been a week and instead of hiding under my bed-covers everyday, I've been relatively active and doing research into possible ventures or career paths. I can't sit still for too long - that's my problem!

How would I describe my degree at Nottingham in one phrase? Life-changing. As that chapter closes with my graduation on July 9th, I'm already raring to go with the next chapter. As my parents have said, I'm like a boomerang - I never stay at home for TOO long. Where will the next stop be - London? South America? New Zealand? I'm excited to get planning.

- A.T.

Exciting News: Say Hello to Her Campus Nottingham

As you may or may not already know, during my second semester abroad at the University of Illinois, I was taken on by Her Campus Illinois as a news editorial intern. That was a massive moment for me - I had been, to put it lightly, rather obsessed with Her Campus when I discovered it in my first semester and was aching to find a way to get on the team. I loved the idea of Her Campus - not only did you have a page online dedicated to and for your college, but you then had access to 1000's more articles on everything you can think of - fashion, beauty, music, general news, health, etc. It's like your favourite magazine but you don't have to wait a full month before reading new articles. Additionally, once I realised how big a deal Her Campus was in the U.S., it made me want to get involved even more.

During my second semester, I was lucky enough to be offered the position of a news editorial intern, and one of the girls who was on the HC Illinois team suggested that when I go back to England I should open a branch of Her Campus at my university there. I laughed - that would be way too much work - and put the idea aside. That was until I got home and thought: I might actually do that. I applied with a girl who studied in Illinois for the year with me, and whom I will be moving in with soon. We got the okay to open a HC Nottingham and are now preparing to launch it at the beginning of next month!

After many negotiations with the Her Campus Design Associate, she came up with this awesome banner for our school's page:

Even more exciting was getting our domain name - www.hercampus.com/Nottingham!

I'm super excited to get going with Her Campus Nottingham and to build up our team of writers, bloggers, photographers and editors! This is my and Maddie's first leadership role, so it's going to be a huge challenge but we are ready for it!

- A.T.