For five long years I have drifted through the matrix that is Peterborough Regional College, during that time I have learnt many things, how to survive it was the greatest lesson!
I don’t know whether it s the same ugly corridors, the same ugly food or the same ugly faces that make this place so interesting or the fact that behind every door and in every class room there’s a story bursting to be told, a view desperately waiting to be uttered or a hair dresser primping in the mirror!
I don’t mean to be crude by saying, “the same ugly faces”; it is a known fact that PRC is probably the most cosmopolitan building in Peterborough. Like the actors for example, if you’re up for a laugh, talk to one of them! If the mindless chatter and multiple characteristics aren’t enough, you’ll also learn a ton about Shakespeare and how to chain smoke flamboyantly before performances.
For beauty tips cast your eyes on the army of black and white suited angels, giggling in unison and bitching on demand.
Art students are harder to spot as rarely will they carry an easel under their arm, simply just for your gratification, yet as the KFC advert states, they are instantly recognisable by their matted fur, not to mention their peculiar hibernation patterns.
It’s also quite easy to tell the difference between a GCSE first diploma freshmen to a super charged hyper eccentric degree student. The first diplomas, formally known as “first dips” are the annoying little newbie’s that run around Palm Court common room screaming at the top of their lungs, until an extremely angry degree student or ( Oldie) silences them with a book to the face. I guess you could say college is a bit of a jungle, you have your kings and queens, your monkeys and your sheep; and a few poisonous snakes thrown in for ‘good’ measure.
Everyone seems to describe being a student, as being scruffy and poor- this stereotype is true. However thanks to the government we now have EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance), where depending on your family’s income you can receive up to £30 a week for good attendance. This also gives the student the ability to concentrate on their studies instead of worrying about getting a part time job. This is an excellent idea – from an adult’s point of view! What really happens is: the student will turn up to class simply for the money, not contribute and still get EMA, then instead of spending the money on books or study materials they go down to the local shop and purchase some Vodkat and L&B, spending their free periods in town park getting razzed. This is very much like being a dole dosser; of course no one wants to put a student into the same manifestation.
There have always been and still are the super nerdy students that will sit in the common room (not socialising), burying their head into a book and pretending that this is more interesting then the arm wrestling match going on two tables away.
I am proud to say that I do not fit into either category, having spent most of my college life involved in all the above I now place myself in “The Observer” category. This is what you become when you’ve been somewhere for far too long.
