As the academic year draws to a close (and the entire university experience for some of us), HCX have some final year epiphanies for you about the realities of university life. From the highs to the lows, each moment will teach you a lesson and leave you with memorable moments about university life which you will keep forever…
The shortcuts around Campus
Despite your initial efforts to explore your new surroundings in Freshers’ year – sometimes after one too many drinks – your full mental map of campus may never be complete. (Who knew about the duck pond past the business school, or the leafy cut through from the back of the INTO building to Amory?) Your knowledge will only grow through memorable moments, and the exciting ones are definitely worth it. After all, Cristina and Owen’s relationship blossomed in an air vent.
It’s okay not to always be okay
University life is not always smooth sailing. From the unpredictable horrible days happening, to just having a lousy day, the road to graduation will not be all rainbows and sunshine as the prospectus promised.
For most of us, this is our first time out of the nest, and figuring out how to function as independent humans. On top of socialising, learning the the ins-and-outs of a new place, and keeping on top of work, university is overwhelming. So chin up, those bad days featuring twisty moments are inevitable, and there is a good day for every bad. Meredith knows….
Friends come and go
You may not meet your favourite person straight away. It is not uncommon for you to have your ups and downs with the friends you make over your time at university. You will soon see the difference between a friend for life and a ‘one night stand’. Here is a brief walk through some of the main friendship hurdles you will face. Firstly, first year – surviving living with strangers for an entire year, thrown together with what sometimes feels like a poorly sorted unlucky dip, can leave you keen to start anew next September…
Second year can bring new friendships from all kinds of places, from your new modules to meeting some lovely like-minded people at the society you didn’t have the confidence to join as a green-gilled fresher. This bliss may only last until housing comes around again, which will, without a doubt, cause unavoidable dramas. Hopefully, these will be resolved with more maturity this time around.
Third year can equally bring its share of strains on friendships. You may find yourself or your best friend jetting off for a year abroad, or starting a year on placement. Yes, even London is way too far away for your liking if it means you now suddenly riding solo. Breathe and have faith collegiette! Although at times this may feel like the ultimate test of friendship, you will find a brand new appreciation for the creation of Facetime, and have the perfect excuse for a holiday. Distance may even do you good if one of you is going through, what can only be described as, the marathon that is final year.
No matter what your journey on the friend front is, you are guaranteed to leave university with your own life lessons and amazing memories.
Be yourself
University is the time to try new things, experiment, and find out who you are – take as many opportunities as you can! Most importantly, do not hold back from fear of other people’s opinion, because in the nicest way possible…