5 Things to Remember if First Year Wasn’t “The One”
When I first started university, I arrived in Aberdeen ready to throw myself into student life. I was so excited to start studying Law, move away from home and make the new, lifelong friends my Mum and Dad still have from their university days. However, it didn’t quite happen like that. There is so much pressure during your 1st year of university to love every minute of it, and sometimes, you just don’t. Here a few things to bear in mind if 1st year hasn’t quite lived up to your expectations.
- You don’t have to love your flatmates
In 1st year you are thrown into Halls with a random bunch of people, and are just expected to get on with them as if you have been friends forever. It is very rare that these people are the ones you will stay friends with throughout university. One of my flatmates kept raw fish in her bedroom, played the recorder at 2am and wore face paint around the flat, so I wasn’t about to ask her for a drink anytime soon. The girls in the flat next to me seemed to be inseparable by the time Fresher’s Week was over, and I was left feeling like the only person that didn’t absolutely adore their flatmates. It takes time to make friends, and they don’t have to be your flatmates- you can make friends from other flats, your course, sports teams etc. Don’t feel like you have to be lifelong friends with your flatmates, just because you have been randomly thrown together for a year.
- It’s ok to feel homesick
After the excitement of starting university had worn off, I was unbelievably homesick. I wanted to go home every weekend, I cried a lot, I missed my friends and boyfriend who were all at Glasgow University together and by Christmas, I determined that I wasn’t coming back. Even by the end of first year, after being dragged back after Christmas, I was desperate to move home for summer. But in 2nd year, I moved in with new people, we lived closer to town so it was easier to do things, and suddenly I wasn’t pining to go home every weekend. Leaving home for the first time is exciting, but you can also feel a bit lost. The environment you are in makes such a difference, so don’t panic if you think your new city or university isn’t for you, give it another go.
- Everyone isn’t having as much fun as they say they are
I would see people on my course or who lived in the flats around me going on trips together, going on society events and having huge flat parties. Sometimes I would go and enjoy myself, but a lot of the time I was thinking I would rather be somewhere else. I felt like I was doing university all wrong. My friends at other universities were the same, posting pictures all over social media, having the time of their lives. Whilst of course some people were having an amazing time, I’ve found since that, that sometimes they weren’t. They didn’t like the people at the parties but felt like they should stay for the social status, some people were homesick as well but wouldn’t admit it and some were having a crazy time but were failing all their classes. Social media can be a nasty thing, and makes us think that peoples’ lives are much better than they actually are. You will definitely not be the only one having a tough time.
- Join as many clubs as you can
Joining new clubs and sports can be daunting, especially if you have never played that sport or done that activity before. I joined one sports club in 1st year as I played when I was at school, but I found I really hated it. It felt cliquey and unfriendly, and it put me off joining other clubs. Then I went along to gymnastics one day after my friend nagged me to try it with her, and I loved it from day one. The people were lovely, the training and socials were fun, and I met so many people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. After this I joined a few other societies and clubs, and it is crazy how much being part of something can make you feel more at home.
- It gets better
Now that I am in 4th year, I have great friends, a great flat, I like my classes, and I actually don’t mind living in Aberdeen. I have found great restaurants and things I like to do on the weekend. I joined new clubs over the years, and been involved in lots of different charity work that has enhanced my CV and my experience at university. If you feel like your course, the city, or university in general isn’t for you, you could be right, and there is no use making yourself miserable. But hold on a little longer, and you might find that it actually turns out just fine.
photos: Indias own and https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=first+year+university&safe=strict&rlz=…