tilly-studies-blog

[tilly-studies-blog]

21.01.18 All my revision and notes (so far) for my migration exam on Thursday - I’ve got a good feeling about this one

[tilly-studies-blog]

23.09.17 Uni starts again on the 2nd and I’m really excited but I’m determined to do better this time around, not just in terms of grades. I’m not going to walk around with my headphones in, I’m going to smile at people, talk to people, not sit by myself in lectures with my arms folded and a resting bitch face

[tilly-studies-blog]

17.08.17

Stationery haul for the upcoming year!

I scored this sweet notebook, you can’t tell front the picture but it’s divided into 10 sections, which is perfect because I have 10 units next year. I’m looking forward to having all my notes in one (huge) notebook instead of spread across 3.

Pencils, because you can never have enough pencils. I tend to write my notes from books in pencil because I find it faster and with the amount of reading I’ll have speed is my friend. And I treated myself to a pink gel pen ‘cause it’s cute. 🎀

I actually had to get a calculator for one of my units next year, it’s for quantitative research methods. I’ve looked at the exam paper and it is essentially a stats exam! The thought of it kinda fills me with dread because maths was never my strong suit, however if I put lots of effort in I could get a really good mark. In social sciences anything above a 74 is quite rare because it’s so subjective, but with maths there is a correct answer so I could score highly (if I get my head round it).

[tilly-studies-blog]

10.8.17 Finally got a world map for my study space. I find it much easier to study development when I can see where I’m studying on a map 🗺

[tilly-studies-blog]

21.7.17 Reading about migration for a unit I’m taking next year. I’m really interested in the disparity between human rights and economic approaches to migration policy.

[tilly-studies-blog]

For my first post, I thought I’d discuss a book that I read earlier this year, ‘I am Malala’ by Malala Yousafsai with Christina Lamb. Initially I was drawn to this book because I had a lot of respect and admiration for Malala and I really wanted to learn more about her in her own words. However, I found so much value in this book beyond an inspiring biography, it was so informative I was actually able to use information that I’d learnt in this book in my international development seminars.

For lots of us that were born in the 90’s, conflict in the Middle East, specifically in Pakistan, is a bit of a mystery. Western intervention in the Middle East was on the news while we were kids and not really aware of the wider world. As a result, even politically minded people, such as myself, kinda understand the situation in Pakistan but have no context to our understanding. This book gives a really interesting history of Pakistan, including politics and conflict without being too heavy or complicated. Malala also gives a side to political conflict within Pakistan that, as a westerner, I rarely see.

On the subject of education for women and girls in Pakistan, this book gives such a heartfelt and passionate account of the fight that people face every day just for girls to get an education. Malala recounts the tireless efforts of her father and his friends in getting education for as many girls as possible. In the context of development, I am a huge advocate of supporting movements within a country that have been pushing for basic rights and freedoms long before the creation of the millennium development goals. But, like many students I am generally only familiar with NGOs based outside the country. So, for me it was really valuable to read about the practical issues facing proponents of girls education and see their development from meetings in kitchens to conferences in the capital.

This thing that makes this book so special is that it is embroidered with stories from her everyday life, fights with her brother, shopping with her mother, and for me the most relatable is the frustration and drive she felt when she would come second in the class on a test. I found this to be such a genuine, emotive, inspiring, and educational book. Reading about Malala’s life before she was attacked by the Taliban gave me a deeper understanding of who she is and what she stands for.  I sincerely hope our paths cross later in life because she is fantastically driven and insightful.