30 Truths About University

-My friend Niamh and I during UoM Freshers Week 2014!-

30 TRUTHS ABOUT UNIVERSITY

Yesterday I was on my way back home after spending a few brilliant days in Blackpool with one of my uni friends. After a great time spent shopping, going to the beach, BBQ's, clubbing, going on roller-coasters at Pleasure Beach, my whole experience was made even better when in between trains (I had to catch three in total), I decided to impulsively make a quick stop over in Manchester. As the train was pulling into the city, I couldn't help looking longingly out of the window, wishing I could be in the city too, so when the train pulled into Oxford Road station I just got up, grabbed my bags and went. You may or may not know but Manchester is my university city, and seeing as I've just had quite possibly the best year of my life there, I'm incredibly fond of it. I have a hell of a lot of love for Manchester, which is why spending even forty minutes or so there yesterday, walking around the familiar streets feeling like I was in some sort of strange dream, made me so ridiculously happy and content. I couldn't wait to come back in September and do it all over again. And it was whilst I was walking through my beloved university city, and with A-Levels Result Day 2015 being only a day away, that I began thinking about how things all turned out for me in the end.

Originally I had my heart set on going to the University of Sheffield, however ironically it was the one uni I got rejected from out of the five I applied to. At the time it was devastating, but I was aware at the time that it might have happened for a reason. Perhaps Sheffield wasn't right for me. Perhaps I needed to be somewhere else instead. And in retrospect I'm now convinced that getting rejected was not only one of those few hugely important moments that change the course of your life forever, but also quite possibly the best thing that ever happened to me ever. Getting rejected from Sheffield meant I had to pick my second best option as my firm choice, Manchester, a city and university I had liked enough to apply to but originally overlooked. And when I think now to all the many wonderful, wonderful people I've met, the amazing things I've done, how much I love my course and the amazing city that I've spent the last year getting to know, my second home, and how happy moving to this city has made me, it's just crazy to think that none of this ever would have happened had I not been rejected from Sheffield. If I'd gotten into Sheffield, I know I would've picked it as my first choice, and so I never would have gone to Manchester. My life would have been very, very different indeed, and I still genuinely believe that my getting rejected was life intervening to make sure I ended up not where I wanted to be, but where I needed to be. Moving to Manchester changed my life in amazing ways that I never could have anticipated this time last year, when I was nervously awaiting my fate, and for the rest of my life I will always be so grateful for that incredible twist of fate.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is if you're getting your results tomorrow, and you're more nervous than you've ever been in your whole entire life, don't worry, everything really will be okay. Whatever happens to you after you open your results tomorrow, is happening for a reason. Whether you get accepted or rejected, go to uni or not, get in to your first choice or your second choice, do or don't go to your favourite uni, originally get rejected and then later accepted like one of my friends did, are happy or sad, believe me when I say you just have to trust life. Sometimes it knows what's actually best for you, better than you do. It works in funny ways and in time you'll understand why things happened the way they did, why you experienced certain twists and turns, and as I found out for myself you will always end up where you need to be. You will always find your happiness in the end. Getting your A Level results feels like the defining moment of your life, and in some ways it is, but remember that whatever happens, it's all helping you to become the person you need to be, live a life that will make you feel happy and content, go to places you need to go... Your life will change, no doubt about it, but ultimately it will be changing for the absolute better and you will realise that at some point, sooner or later. And if you do end up going to university, first thing is just enjoy the heck out of everything that happens from tomorrow onwards. It's the most incredible time and it's like riding a massive tidal wave of change, so just go along for the ride and enjoy every single moment. Second thing is I thought it would be a great idea to share with any potential uni-goers thirty important things I learnt and realised during my first year of university. This massive change in your life takes a bit of adjusting to, and there's lots to think about, worry about, so hopefully this list will help answer some of your questions, evaporate some of your fears, re-assure you a bit and ultimately make you so very excited for this amazing time in your life that is about to happen!

So with that, I'll leave you with my list and a massive GOOD LUCK!!!

For some other useful university related posts I've written just click here, here, here, here, here and here.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Don't be afraid to share a loo with strangers, it really is okay, especially when you get to know them better. As long as you keep the loo clean, keep a spray in case & take advantage of toilet opportunities when they arise, you'll be just fine. Having an-suite isn't really all it's cracked up to be. 
2. Don't be afraid to say no and resist peer pressure. Do what you're comfortable with and you'll be surprised at how accepting people actually are.
3. Have mutual respect and understanding between you and people you meet. Everyone is into different things, so don't judge those who choose differently and they won't judge you. Applies to a whole range of issues like drink, drugs, etc.
4. Skype friends and family often. It's hard at first but does you both the world of good & it's just so nice to see and feel close to each other, even when you're miles apart.
5. Lidl and Aldi are heaven on earth. Go to your nearest one and be amazed at how far a tenner actually gets you. Likewise when buying things for uni, head to Ikea, Wilko's, Poundland, Asda, Amazon for your essentials. There's no need to shell out a fortune!
6. Cooking is easy peasy once you a) have the basic ingredients, b) know what foods and meals you like, c) learn some good, basic recipes to get you going. Some good basic ingredients include: onions, garlic, tomato puree, canned tomatoes, spices, salt, pepper, flour, sugar & olive oil.
7. Make an effort to be an active part of your new university, as it will help you to feel like you really belong. Do student radio, newspaper, TV, play for a sports team, be a student ambassador, do uni tours and open days, spend time getting to know your new uni and go for the full whammy and get a classic uni t-shirt or jumper.
8. Talk to everyone and anyone, even if you already make friends or think people have made theirs or don't think you'll have a lot in common. Almost everyone loves to chat, socialise and meet new people, and you might be surprised about who you actually end up clicking with.
9. Have fun, experiment and explore, say yes to things and see what happens. Do crazy things like partying with Brazilians all night, hosting a cheese fest, enjoy being young and free and independent, but likewise stay smart throughout.
10. It's really honestly okay to be teetotal or a lightweight. Trust me.
11. Treat uni work and exams like you would your college work and exams. You will understand the content, it's just worded fancier, making it a tad overwhelming at first. Getting the hang of referencing is also a pain in the arse too. However stick everything out when it seems super hard, do extra reading, get help if you need it as there's lots available and don't worry it does get better. So don't give up, try your best, take an interest in and enjoy what you're learning.
12. Yes you can get a considerable amount of free time (not as common as you think though!) so use it to socialise, explore your new home, catch up on work, get a job or volunteer, indulge in your past times, try new things, better yourself.
13. You will change a lot during your first year, but all those changes, every single one, is changing you for the better. You don't even realise it happening, but going to uni is a massive learning curve full of massive changes, and ultimately it is helping you find yourself, grow up a bit and become not only a better person, but the person you want to be.
14. Be nice to the cleaner if you have one. You'll normally be rewarded with extra loo roll.
15. Be nice to your flatmates, even if you don't like them! It really does pay to be nice, so take an interest in them, make conversations, give people a chance, do social things together, and keep the atmosphere nice and neutral. And if you do get on with your flatmates, they'll become the most wonderful second family to you. 
16. Baking goes down a treat so if you're a keen baker, it's a fab way to make people think you're some kind of angel sent from heaven, to better their lives with your amazing sweet creations.
17. Make a list of the activities you want to try at uni, no matter how absurd they may be, and at Freshers just sign up to all of them and try them all out. Not all of them will stick but it's great to try and learn new things, meet new people and you might discover a secret talent or love you never knew existed.
18. You will get homesick, some will get it worse than others, but you will be fine. Trust me. It gets better. By your last semester you're an absolute pro at being Miss/ Mr Independent.
19. Be sensible with your money and you won't actually need to spend all year living off beans and toast, even if it is an incredibly tasty meal. You don't need to budget but make sure you have a rough idea of what's going out and in to your bank account every week and act accordingly.
20. However don't let money stop you having fun. Treat yourself every now and then and also find fun, cheap or even free things to do (there's more than you would expect!)
21. You really do not need to rush, repeat, do not need to rush, into finding a house and housemates for second year. Everyone panics but there's really no need to as everyone finds their perfect place in the end, and the stress is really not worth it.
22. First year is unlike anything you will ever experience in your life, so just enjoy every day of it doing whatever it is that makes you happy. Go along with the craziness, push yourself to branch out of your comfort zone, meet new people, have fun, and make the most of that very special time in your life.
23. Everyone's university experience is completely different. No-one ever experiences university in quite the same way, so don't bother comparing your experience to everyone else's. Your university experience is personal to you, so make it whatever you want it to be, revel in the uniqueness of your story, and just enjoy every single moment because it will fly by ever so quickly.
24. Socialising is super duper important because friends become your family at uni! So as soon as you get there make plans with friends, flatmates, coursemates, to go out shopping, clubbing, having a drink, movie nights, flat dinners, meal nights, movie & brownie nights...
25. At some point your new city will start to feel like a second home to you, and that is quite possibly one of the best things in the world.
26. Going to university is very similar to being Hannah Montanna. It feels like you're living a double life and crossing from your home life to your uni life feels almost list crossing a parallel dimension.
27. Looking after yourself, ie. being independent, is not as hard as it seems. It's amazing having the freedom to cook what you want, do what you want, go wherever you want, clean whenever you want, buy whatever you want, and you'll adapt to it pretty quickly (although be warned, your mum's nagging will still be like a little voice in your head). Everyone ends up forming a routine of sorts, as to when they cook dinner, wash their clothes, clean their room, do the food shop, and it helps you to settle into your new life.
28. Halls can be pretty loud at times so earbuds can be a good idea. However you do get used to it and anyhow it's just part of the uni experience! The general rule is if you accept people making their noise, they'll accept it when you make yours so it works out quite nicely vice-versa.
29. Student loan is a god send and will help you out massively when times get tough, but don't fall into the trap of spending it all at once! Enjoy it but don't over do it *wink wink nudge nudge*.
30. Be confident in yourself. There's so many kinds of people at uni, and everyone is completely unique and brilliant in their own way, including you! You're amazing, so don't you forget it. Just get out there, be your wonderful self and people will love you.