Grad-ually Getting My Degree (Get it?)

justcallmedee
May 23, 2016
3 min read

Okay so I just finished my first year of uni.

Whaaaaaaaaatttttttttt?????

Yes indeed, I survived, and now, as always, it's time to reflect on the journey.

Did I make as many friends as I thought I would? HELL NO. (Thanks for the capitalisation, Autocorrect. Glad you believe in my social abilities)

But I mean, it's fine. I have always been a lone wolf. That's just me. It did make group projects slightly more challenging but I got through it.

It's not to say I'm unsociable. Hell, I'm everyone's best friend after a drink or two, it's just uni starts so early. SO EARLY. And I'm kind of a night owl (she says, writing this at 3.40am). So I tend to be very sleep deprived and very grumpy in the mornings. (Especially since I haven't taken up day drinking just yet.)

So listen, it's 9am, I'm sleep deprived, I look like a mess, and my grumpy stay away from me mode is definitely on. Who would want to be friends with that beast? Not I, for one. But I'm stuck with me. My new classmates, however, are not.

If you ask my new classmates what they think of me, they'd probably tell you this:

She's quiet but she seems nice enough. I am neither of those things ordinarily but by being one I am able to appear the other. See, I'm quiet for 3 reasons. 1. I like to get to know my new surroundings, my new peers, my new teachers before opening my mouth. I like to observe and get a grasp on what to expect for the next at least year. 2. Class often begins at an hour I deem too early to speak. I've probably not long woken up and can barely keep my eyes open, let alone smile at people and exchange pleasantries. Which brings me onto 3. I fear if I do speak it will be the unfiltered, sarcastic, bitter inner voice that I try so very hard to repress in case I offend someone. As I said, I'm not a morning person and you know, if you don't have anything nice to say and all that... So I'm quiet and by being quiet, I give the illusion of politeness and dare I say it, niceness. #MasterOfDisguise

As well as this, I chose to stay at home for uni so I didn't get the default friends I would have if I moved into halls. I know people who have made friends for life in those gross little students flats. I, on the other hand, have my parents. Ah yes, rather than an always available party companion, I chose the people who tell me off when I leave a mug in my room. #FreshersLife

Speaking of freshers, I skipped freshers week this year. Yeah I know. Boo. Hiss. I didn't really have anyone to go with (my parents were busy) and I heard the queues were just mental, plus the events weren't that great. I figured I'd just go next year (this year now) but we'll see.

Okay so my first week of uni was crazy. I was so overwhelmed I actually missed sixth form. (I KNOW). You can read about that temporary insanity here: Take Me Back, Sixth Form. I've Changed!

But I settled in as best I could. The workloads weren't too bad. I did procrastinate a lot but a leopard never changes its spots, right? The main thing is I got it done.

I found it really fun actually. The course was a little more group work oriented than I'd hoped but like I said, it's done. And I really feel like journalism is for me. Which, after spending £9000 this year, is a relief.

My lecturers are really nice and less scary than I imagined. My classmates seem like a decent bunch and I'm looking forward to next year.

Oh I forgot to mention: I took Spanish as an advantage module. It was interesting, to say the least.

To read more about that mess, click here: Spanish: Not As Easy As Theresa Russo Made It Seem

Finally, I'll leave you with this: if you're starting uni this year or even something else new, don't expect a Princess Mia (Princess Diaries) / Andy (Devil Wears Prada) type transformation. (Both Anne Hathaway, I know). It takes time and effort to fit into a new situation. Don't panic if things aren't as easy as you imagined them to be. You'll get there.

Look at me being all profound and self aware. Must be the university knowledge I've accumulated over the year. Now it's time for me to enjoy my extra long summer break. Yay.

See you on the flip side, peaches.

Mwah x