I've just come back from Sheffield, where I delivered a
lecture to students at Sheffield University. It's good to see such hunger on
learning and seeing how academic life prepares you for a career.
What I especially noticed is that students nowadays are
thinking practically about how they can make a living afterwards. They asked
more questions about how I set up as a freelance business and won customers
than anything else. I guess that what happens when you have to get into serious
debt just to get a degree in this day and age.
I went to Oxford of course, but I’ve always likes the look
of Sheffield and Sheffield University. My good friend Brian, who has worked
there for years (and of course invited me to speak to his students) is always
raving about it. The great shops at Ecclesall Road, the bars and pubs of
Broomhall and Broomhill and even the better than average student accommodation Sheffield.
Well, I have to say it made me feel good about myself seeing
those students hanging onto every word I said, and interested in how I’ve got
to where I am after years at University. I think I’ve got a taste for public speaking
again. It might be time for me to dust off my old poems, a habit I started in
university, and start looking for some poetry open mics.
Thanks Brian and Sheffield for having my and the lovely accommodation.
I’ll be back to stay soon.
