What University Has Taught Me

I have finally done it. University is now over. On the 20th of September, I returned back to uni for my graduation. It was such a special day, full of happiness, excitement of what's to come and honestly, warmth. We were all surrounded by friends and family members who were all so proud of all that we'd achieved whilst studying. It was almost a bubble of smiles and worthiness. It's a day I'm never going to forget, and I'm so happy I got to share it with my favourite people - my Dad, my Nan my Auntie, and of course, all of my course mates. Little me has a degree?! It's such a crazy thought. Dwelling on what has happened over the past three years got me thinking about all that the university experience has taught me. Obviously, everyone's experience is personal and different, that's the way it is. But upon reflection, this is what I believe living away from home, studying and meeting new people has taught me.

Independence
I have always been happy to be by myself and get on with things, but university takes that to the next level. There is no one to rely on but yourself for most things. Even making sure you go to the shops to buy more milk, or making sure you sort out your calendar with dates. Everything is your responsibility. I loved this aspect of the university experience. It genuinely makes you feel like you have your life together, and I definitely prefer having no one else to rely on, except myself. There is so much freedom!

People are Sh*t
Pretty self explanatory really. But it's just life. I have a handful of people that I'm so glad that university gave me the chance to meet, others.. not so much. You're constantly meeting so many new faces, and that's a great experience don't get me wrong. I just wish that I hadn't given certain individuals so many chances, but hey, their true colours arose eventually. It's almost a positive thing that you realise people may not be who you thought they were. Definitely a good learning curve, and an even better validation for what you want out of friendships or even relationships. So I guess meeting some shitty human beings isn't all that bad.

The experience isn't for everyone
On hearing of other peoples university experiences, they always sound like they are having the time of their lives, grabbing so many amazing opportunities and saying yes to each and every event.
Whereas, on the other hand, people don't have such positive memories. I do believe that it is mostly what you make it.

Hard work pays off 
10000% you get back, what you put in. You're not going to get the grades, or success that you wish to achieve if you don't put the time into doing so.

So here's to 3 years hard work, and seeing what the future holds. 

What has your university experience been like? 

Amber X

Life After University

Not going to lie, since finishing third year, life has been so different, in ways that are good and bad. It's such a strange position to be in, it's almost like a limbo. I am graduating in a couple of weeks time, but I completed and finished the course back at the end of May. To me, I haven't felt that feeling of it all coming to an end yet. Maybe that's because I know that I will be returning one more time to graduate, but I'm not entirely sure. There has been an 'in-between' if you will. Whereas, with other universities, graduation follows directly after finishing their course. I am looking forward to graduating though and getting on with the next step that continues on from my undergraduate degree.

One of the definite pluses of finishing uni, is having moved back home. I'm such a homebody, I love being at home and being so comfortable in my surroundings here. Granted that I now have adult responsibilities (which are such a bore, I'm so not ready to adult haha), it's been nice to have my room back to how it was before university, and not being spread out over two places is so much nicer. However, a downside to returning to home is the amount of people that I've had ask "Do you know what you're going to do for work?", or "Have you got a job yet?", or "You're going to use your degree aren't you?". I can't help but feel the pressure of it all. It's questions like that that almost make you question your motives and whether there is actually a job out there that will take your interests, and one that you stand a chance with. It's definitely such a stressful time - there is only so much you can do, and if you're as uncertain as I am in what I want to do, it hasn't been helping the matter. When attending uni, I don't think most people think about what you're going to do or what you want to do when it all ends, and I think that was a downfall of mine.

It's also so difficult to not compare yourself, and the position you're in to others, even when you don't mean too. Knowing that some of your friends have landed themselves incredible graduate jobs, and you're left thinking, well why haven't I been capable of doing so? It's going to happen, it will (that's what I'm telling myself anyways). You just can't gage when, everything happens for a reason.

Another thing I have noticed since leaving uni is how fast time has gone, and how much I have done and achieved in that time. It's crazy how quickly things can fall into place for you, especially when you're not imagining them too.An important thing that life after university has taught me is that stressing out is going to get you nowhere. I am literally the worlds best stressor - I can't even help it, but I always stress myself out over the smallest and stupidest of things. It's good to know that finding yourself confused about the process is ok! Trying to relax and staying on top of the job search etc, is the best way to go about it, and something will fall into place eventually. Your time will come!

How did you feel when you finished university?

Amber X