What I learned at university

The month since finishing university has most definitely been an odd one. I can find myself waking up thinking “I have so much work to do” and then realising that I don’t! The joy of not having to write essays and read 25+ books every semester will never ever wear off. However, university is definitely one of the hardest and most challenging things that I have ever done, and with hindsight, I’d probably do it very differently. I've learnt a lot over the past three years - some things way more useful than others - but here is a light-hearted list of everything that myself, as a commuting student living at home, learnt.

• If you drive, do not make it public knowledge

The amount of people that will decide to try and be friendly with you when they know you have a car sat in a parking space is almost funny. I once had someone follow me from class for about 15 minutes until they finally asked me to drive them home. Learn to just say no straight off of the bat - they don’t put the fuel in the tank and they certainly won’t drag their heads out of their backsides to do anything for you.

• You get back what you put in….. MOST of the time

In all seriousness, I wish wish wish that I’d spoken to my lecturers more instead of being scared, thinking that they’ll think I’m stupid. Wrong wrong wrong!!! The amount of time that I spent with my lecturers in my final semester is evident in my grades and I wish that I’d done it every year previously. Two lecturers in particular even stood as my references for job applications - it is more than true that you get back what you give. Turn up to class, contribute, and be active in consulting them. You’ll come out with a good grade and a good set of people to seek advice from in the future.

• You don’t have to live up to the stereotype of ‘the student’

Who gives a shit if you don’t join any societies or go to any events? Getting absolutely trollied is definitely not the only way to have fun, so don’t let your hard earned money be flushed down the toilet. Don’t be pressured into doing anything that you don’t want to do. If you’re happy being tee-total, keeping to yourself, and doing other things that you love, then sod the rest of them.

• You 100% do not need to read every single item on your reading list

Exhibit A. If you’re doing an English Literature course like I did, you’ll be expected to read anything up to 25+ books a semester. If you feel like it’s a waste of your time, it most probably is. Be proactive and get a look at your assignment questions as soon as you can and plan your studying around what is asked of you within your chosen questions. However, don’t be stupid and think you can pop along to a lecture without having the faintest of ideas what the title of the text for that day even is. Been there, done that…

• You CAN write a cracking good essay 3 hours before it’s due

It’s called forward planning, knowing what you’re doing and good time management. You’re welcome.

• “Uni is SO much easier living at home!”

Number one: don’t let anyone tell you shit about how living at home is easier. I’ve had every Tom, Dick and Harry tell me how I get more of my student loan to spend on what I want, and that I don’t have to worry about rent etc. Hello?! Not true! Transport is super expensive - particularly if you own a car - and we all have to do laundry, clean and cook just like everyone else, sometimes also doing the same for their family. Would they like to cook a meal for 4 every day and then vacuum a whole house? Didn’t think so. In a lot more ways than one, commuting students can more often be more responsible and more rounded than live-in students. But sadly, you can’t stick a flower in an asshole and call it a vase so just grin and bare those comments until you can walk away.

• Don’t stress

It’s so easy for me - Stress Queen - to say this now but it’s so true. In my final months of university, I had my first proper job interview and got offered that same job straight away. Who would have thought?! This job is also not dependent on my final degree grade - so why did I stress? Of course we all want Firsts in all of our assignments but the reality is that some just can’t achieve that. But the best thing is that it doesn’t matter! So what?! If you try your best and put 110% into everything, no one can ask anything more of you. And, at the end of the day, you’ll have a degree which is an achievement in itself.

• You can do ANYTHING

“You are always braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”, A. A. Milne.

M.

#university