So I’m at the end of my first year of Uni and I can’t quite believe how fast it has gone, what’s even more surprising is how long I’ve  survived on my own without my parent’s help! Apart from the occasional call about how to cook something or what in the hell do the student finance payments mean (I still don’t understand it all), I’ve pretty much had to work everything out for myself.

When I first came to University, I have to admit I was pretty unprepared and I never anticipated how much would change in the first year of being here. There are times when I thought about giving up but there have been so many incredible moments along the way and having the sheer determination to carry on that I can truly say University will be the best experience of your life no matter how clique that sounds.

There are so many things to take into consideration when you move to University that it can become a bit overwhelming but just take it one step at a time. Firstly, you will end up eating a load of junk food, fact. There’s no way around it but is it really going to kill you? Just make sure you budget when shopping and only buy meals instead of stuff you fancy. Then there’s the issue of money. Let’s be honest everyone struggles with this but it’s important not to blow it all in fresher’s and actually have enough to live off of. The trick here is to prioritise what you want to buy. New shoes or food? (Sensible answer only!)

I think the thing that most people struggle with though, is the sinking feeling of what if I make no friends? You are basically worrying about nothing. Everyone is there for the same reason; they are all going to be feeling the same as you and will want to make friends themselves. You will meet some good characters and some not so good but it’s important to try and get on with as many people as you can. The worst thing you can do is annoy your flatmates; you have to live with them after all. Meeting new people not only lets you be a judge of so many new characters but also tells you a lot about yourself. There are bound to be arguments between certain people because everyone has their own opinions. Think about what you do and don’t tell people and how this will affect those around you. Make sure you completely trust those that you make friends with and don’t jump into choosing house mates for the second year until you are sure.

Then there is the matter of the actual course. Having a social life is all very well but lectures and seminars are the bane of your life at University. Try and attend as many as you can even if your bed seems like the better option and you regret going out the night before. That’s another thing too. Your sleeping pattern will get messed up but you just have to grin and bear it, it will get better eventually and those 9am lectures will end up half bearable towards the end of the year. So your course is what you are actually there for, some of it will be interesting, some of it not but pay attention since it is all important and relevant, promise.

University has made me learn so much about myself like what sort of person I am, what I want to do with my future, how to cope with stress and it also teaches you so much about boundaries. I’ve surprised myself so much with what I can achieve from cooking, washing, socialising and the standard of work I can produce. So why not surprise yourself and go to University, you never know what might happen.