A personal reflection from Linda on life as a CYM BA degree student:

Travelling up the motorway, bags packed with books, notepads, stationary (I love my stationary) laptop and my head swapping from nursery rhymes and action songs to thoughts of management theories and theology.

Looking forward to seeing friends and catching up. How’s everyone doing? Any progress on essays, placements, portfolio?

Arriving early to avoid heavy traffic there’s time for a quiet coffee and a browse in the library. The rest of the students arrive in fits and starts, laughter and tears are shared.

I hear the usual questions: “When do we start? What room are we in? Has the tuckshop been restocked?” all essential questions of course!

I love the lectures and the opportunity to learn and by the end of the day my brain is buzzing.

I stay with my host family who provide a peaceful haven for the evening which sets me up well for day 2.

More learning, worship together in chapel, food together and chatter and laughter. Home on the motorway gives me time for quiet and reflection.

Toddler group, schools work, Sunday school, study, planning, family, reading, research. Applying what I’ve learnt, meet with line manager – sleep.

The two weeks have passed by and it’s time to pack my bag and head back to Nottingham.

Never a dull moment.