Despite a university year only being 9 months long, that 9 months has scarily flown by. What has this year taught me? ... a lot!
...Being independent.
Before I came to uni I relied on my parents a great deal and this convinced my Mum that I would struggle massively. Despite getting thrown in at the deep end, I feel that I have done myself proud as well as my parents. Weirdly, I enjoyed tidying my room regularly cleaning my en-suite, making my dinner, washing up my mountain of plates and cutlery and attempting to sort my finances out. I guess I didn't have a choice whether I did it or not, I mean no angel Gabrielle would come down and do it for me - but I loved the independence. It makes coming home that little more exciting, that you know you will be provided with decent meals, and a relaxing weekend where your parents can spoil you and enjoy your company for the few precious days you are home for.
It has also taught me that everyone around you is competition.
From secondary school to sixth form, I was the top student in my media class, getting grade A's, 100% in my written exams and in the high 90's for all my coursework. I thought university would be fine after producing such good grades that extending my knowledge of this subject further, would be a breeze. However, when you are crammed in a room full of students who are at your academic level, if not higher, you realise that everyone around you is competition. The media industry is very competitive and career wise everyone is battling with each other, to get that dream job. I watch TV programmes like 'The City' and think how much I want to be like Olivia Palmero and Whitney Port in that perfect job and in a city which never sleeps (NYC). I create scenarios in my head of how I would get there, yet you always forget about the multitude of obstacles you have to overcome first. Which is usually other people who have the same mindset of what they want as you.
It is always awkward when you're sat in a room full of people you don't know, and you just want one of your best friends to walk through the door and to save you from the girl who enjoys boasting about everything and thinking she's number one. Being at university you have to make an effort with everyone, and by coming home you realise that some of the people you have made friends with you wouldnt necessarily socialise with back at home. I've learnt to be patient and to make an effort with everyone and to never judge on first impressions, after all it is a great insight of what people are like. I have made some truly wonderful friends being at Southampton, girls and boys, who I know I could confide in, have a laugh with and who I can trust. Sounds a bit inconsiderate, but I know that everyone has done it but, you compare new friends to the ones back home which you've known for years. Truth is that it's just a number. What I mean is that people say that someone is their 'best friend' on the amount of years they have known them; yet I can honestly say that I have met some incredible people, who I've known for less than 3 months and I could class them as very special friends of mine. I think the close proximity and the fact you see them everyday helps.
Getting pulled out of your comfort zone and living away from home, you start to respect your family more than you did. I am quite an argumentative person (even if I don't show this side much), and the smallest things which my parents do like nagging at me over something simple, annoys me. Nevertheless, when you compare yourself to other people/families you soon realise how lucky you are.
Experiencing university life has definitely been one of the best decisions I have made (despite being such a poor student), and I can say that the memories I have had/will have, will stay with me forever. This first milestone has certainly been the greatest time of my life fo' sure :) From amazing nights out such as Carnage, Big Night Out, Birthdays, to having a snippet of home life such as close friends visiting (George, Sammy, Abbie) to throwing a street party at 11am for William and Kate's wedding, to a trip of a life time to the beautiful city of Paris.
Oh my!! the amount of work I have had to do has been so stressful! It definitely steps up a notch from sixth form, but I suppose this is why people get jobs, instead of extending their education. I think what the work has taught me the most is to not leave it to the last minute or not to think it's only going to take a week ha. Fortunately, by living in a house next year I won't procasinate as much ( I hope) and the level of noise will be much less than halls. The fact that when I return to uni, that every bit of work and contribution I make will be going towards my final grade of my degree is quite daunting.
This first year has taught me an incredible amount and given me the certainty which I needed of what my future career plans entails.
Looking forward to seeing the new freshers, with freshers flu mwahha ;)
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