This year is honestly going so fast- I can't believe it's June already!
So last week I officially finished my first year at University, it's gone so quickly and although at times it's been difficult, I've loved it!
I study fashion Marketing and Branding at Nottingham Trent university, and I'm honestly so glad that I took the plunge and went there, the city is amazing, I love my course and I've met some great people. I actually suffer quite badly with social anxiety, so for me going to university was massive step I was worried I wouldn't be able to do, but I feel so much more independent and happier for doing it.
Here are some of the things I've realised from my first year of university:
It's not all smiles;
One of the main things I realised when going to uni, was that the experience wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, filled with an endless amount of new people to meet, and constantly doing exciting things. For a lot of my time, I found myself bored, as you have much more independent time to study and research work, even if that's something you do, you might still found yourself trawling through Netflix hoping to find something to watch!
Another thing I realised was that I really missed home, I'm really close to my family, and even though I was only around 45 minutes away from my family home, I still found it really difficult adjusting to being alone every day, combine that with not having tons to do in the day, it made me really homesick.
If you're preparing to go to university, I'd really recommend getting some home comforts, like teddies, favourite foods and even decorations to help you feel settled in and less homesick when at university, it really helped me relax knowing I had a comforting meal and a nicely decorated flat!
Being alone really isn't that bad;
Another thing I really got used to was just having alone time and being independent, again being close to my parents, this was something I had to get used to! But towards the end, I really enjoyed shopping, sitting in coffee shops and even just doing work alone, its great for clearing your thoughts and just generally de-stressing if you're tense or worried.
Budget buys are your best friend;
I can honestly say, that in times of need, supermarket own branded buys are going to be a lifesaver for when you run low on your loan or don't get much money from your parents. Things like pasta, noodles, and even meat and vegetables really don't have huge differences from being own brand, or the best branded product. So don't have any shame in getting some 30p pasta or 10p packet noodles, it'll save your life saving money on food, especially if your priority is going out and having a good time!
Another trick I learned was substituting certain ingredients for something else, the biggest example of this and something that I've grown to love, is Quorn.
Now I'm sure you'e thinking that Quorn is something made by the Devil and that you'd never touch it even if you were dying (a little dramatic I know), and that's pretty much what I thought, but one of my flatmates introduced me to it, and I've never looked back! It's much cheaper than chicken, stores amazingly and can go in pretty much any dish, so its perfect for saving you money, and gives you a decent meal for when all you've got is potato smilies and tomato soup- something I've experienced first hand!
Everyone else is in the same boat;
If you're worried about going to university and not having friends, family or just anyone at all that you know, just remember that everyone else will be feeling the same! We all start out not really knowing anyone on our course, and even in the flat we live in, so don't be too worried if you're scared of not having any friends or having anyone to talk to.
Within a week you'll have so many people to talk to, and it'll be likely that someone (whether on your course or in your flat) has something in common with you, that might be feeling homesick, your favourite book/film series, or just your love of a certain food.
Have any of you been to University? Or are any of you going? What things did you learn? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Chloé
xo
It's not all smiles;
One of the main things I realised when going to uni, was that the experience wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, filled with an endless amount of new people to meet, and constantly doing exciting things. For a lot of my time, I found myself bored, as you have much more independent time to study and research work, even if that's something you do, you might still found yourself trawling through Netflix hoping to find something to watch!
Another thing I realised was that I really missed home, I'm really close to my family, and even though I was only around 45 minutes away from my family home, I still found it really difficult adjusting to being alone every day, combine that with not having tons to do in the day, it made me really homesick.
If you're preparing to go to university, I'd really recommend getting some home comforts, like teddies, favourite foods and even decorations to help you feel settled in and less homesick when at university, it really helped me relax knowing I had a comforting meal and a nicely decorated flat!
Being alone really isn't that bad;
Another thing I really got used to was just having alone time and being independent, again being close to my parents, this was something I had to get used to! But towards the end, I really enjoyed shopping, sitting in coffee shops and even just doing work alone, its great for clearing your thoughts and just generally de-stressing if you're tense or worried.
Budget buys are your best friend;
I can honestly say, that in times of need, supermarket own branded buys are going to be a lifesaver for when you run low on your loan or don't get much money from your parents. Things like pasta, noodles, and even meat and vegetables really don't have huge differences from being own brand, or the best branded product. So don't have any shame in getting some 30p pasta or 10p packet noodles, it'll save your life saving money on food, especially if your priority is going out and having a good time!
Another trick I learned was substituting certain ingredients for something else, the biggest example of this and something that I've grown to love, is Quorn.
Now I'm sure you'e thinking that Quorn is something made by the Devil and that you'd never touch it even if you were dying (a little dramatic I know), and that's pretty much what I thought, but one of my flatmates introduced me to it, and I've never looked back! It's much cheaper than chicken, stores amazingly and can go in pretty much any dish, so its perfect for saving you money, and gives you a decent meal for when all you've got is potato smilies and tomato soup- something I've experienced first hand!
Everyone else is in the same boat;
If you're worried about going to university and not having friends, family or just anyone at all that you know, just remember that everyone else will be feeling the same! We all start out not really knowing anyone on our course, and even in the flat we live in, so don't be too worried if you're scared of not having any friends or having anyone to talk to.
Within a week you'll have so many people to talk to, and it'll be likely that someone (whether on your course or in your flat) has something in common with you, that might be feeling homesick, your favourite book/film series, or just your love of a certain food.
Have any of you been to University? Or are any of you going? What things did you learn? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Chloé
xo
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