Blog
Mariel Panganiban, BA (Hons) Filmmaking
Did you find it easy to settle in when you first started?
The very first lesson that the module leaders taught us was that film聽is a collaboration. So during the orientation week, the Filmmaking course was acquainted and mixed with the other Film courses. We were taken around Digbeth where we got to see the more 鈥榗reative鈥� part of 探花直播 and given a talk about the future of film in the city which set a very motivating mood for us all.聽
Everyone was really friendly and enthusiastic to work together 鈥� nobody felt 鈥渢oo passionate鈥� about their projects. We all wanted to help.聽
What have you enjoyed most about the course?
I鈥檝e enjoyed the flexibility of the course. It鈥檚 well-balanced between theory-based lectures and practical workshops, so I鈥檝e never had to experience an 鈥渦rgh! Another聽three hour lecture鈥� thought.聽
I鈥檝e also loved the enthusiastic support from my lecturers - especially during COVID-19 and quarantine. They made extra effort to ensure none of us felt isolated with any of our dilemmas and were always willing to help. It was this enthusiasm that made us, as a cohort, believe we could do well.聽
What do you like about being a student in 探花直播?
Being a student in 探花直播 means you are literally in the centre of everything. The city centre has all you can offer in terms of nightlife and have a continuous growing list of places to eat out and explore with friends. You are also never too far from greenery and open park areas if you want something more natural and quiet. The city itself is also very multicultural and brimming with diversity, so you will always find a group that you can feel at home in.聽
What advice would you give to someone starting the course in September?
Do your weekly reading! Trying to teach yourself a whole module a week before is not worth the stress, and never be afraid to ask for help.聽
Get yourself out there and try something new. You never know, the people you meet along the way could be a potential networking opportunity.
But also have fun! University is essentially everyone鈥檚 first taste at being an 鈥渁dult鈥�, so first year is all about finding that balance. Try to find a balance between work and social life because at the end of the day, you鈥檇 hate to look back and wish you had done things differently.