Reflecting On My University Experience - 1 Year On
After much deliberation and advice, I have decided to share this post. I wrote this post after I finished university in 2019. I have put off sharing it as I didn’t want to come across as insensitive to those who’s experiences have been impacted due to corona. However, after speaking to several people they told me to just go for it. So, hopefully you enjoy this post. And good luck to all current and future students!! Feel free to message me with any questions too🧡
Get yourself a coffee and a comfy seat, this is a long one…😂
So, this is a little late but, I’VE GRADUATED!
I graduated in July (2019), but I still can’t quite believe it! To be completely honest, I felt a bit lost after I finished uni – no more structure, no more deadlines, no more seeing loads of people – it was weird. But I’ve spoken to other ex-students about it and most of them feel the same – even after graduating 10 years go.
But that’s not what this post is about. I wanna talk to you about my whole uni experience – from living with strangers, to partying (or lack of in my case), to assignments, to just general everyday student life.
For reference I studied Business Management at Liverpool John Moores.
Living With Strangers
Living with people that I didn’t know was something that both excited and utterly terrified me. I grew up with younger siblings, so sharing was something that I was used to. I think I was just most nervous about what other people would think of me and would we get along. Thankfully, I had the best flatmates. Although we didn’t always see eye-to-eye about everything, we went on the uni journey together and all came out the other end. Sadly, we didn’t stay altogether throughout uni, but most of us still stay in touch and see each other occasionally.
Even though some of us may have drifted since finishing uni, we still had a great experience together and I will forever treasure those memories.
In terms of the actual “living with other people” I actually really enjoyed it. I was able to have my own proper space, but still have other people around me. This greatly improved when 5 out of the 6 of us moved into a student house in second and third year after living in halls in first year.
I don’t really have anything negative to say about living with strangers as I was fortunate to live with a good bunch of people (although I’m sure they could think of some negatives if you asked them).
Money
For many student’s money can be a big worry. There’s no denying that university is expensive – from fees, to rent, to food, to socialising. When you’re at uni everything seems to cost a crazy amount of money.
As a student it’s often an expectation that you get a side job; with the most common being in bars and restaurants. Although I did apply for a few jobs while at uni, ultimately, I made the decision to just focus on uni. I struggled quite a bit with my studies, without the stress of a job as well. Even though I’ve not found it easy to get a job after finishing uni due to lack of experience. I don’t regret my decision as it was the best thing for me at the time.
My biggest advice is don’t be a snob to a discount. I grew up with my family shopping at Lidl and I love their products, so food shopping wasn’t particularly difficult for me. But I had a few friends who would turn their noses up at the discount store and then spend £40 at Tesco on 5 things and wonder why they didn’t have much money. I have nothing against shopping at the larger supermarkets – especially as they offer some great deals. You just need to be smart about your decisions and what you buy from where.
Student discount is also your best friend. It might not always feel like a saving, but it all adds up. I definitely miss having that student discount!😂
Lectures/Seminars/Workshops
You always hear stories of students who skip most of their lectures, do work at home and then smash their assignments. I liked the idea of lectures being optional and working from the comfort of my bed if I didn’t feel like sitting in a lecture full of students. However, that’s not how my course worked. We were instructed that if we weren’t to attend our scheduled classes then we would run the risk of being kicked off the course. To also discourage students from missing lectures/seminars/workshops many lecturers decided to not upload the work to Canvas (the uni sharing system) until after lectures - if at all. Some would print off copies and hand them out. This meant that I couldn’t print the work off beforehand in order to help with my note-taking – which is how I like to learn (so much for uni being the time that you were able to learn exactly how you wanted). This meant that no matter how I was feeling, I had to go into uni. With all of this added together, it meant that I couldn’t always be as productive as I should have been.
Another important thing to consider is the actual lecturers themselves. Some people disagreed and said that lecturers don’t matter, and you get out what you put in when it comes to your work. However, I think your relationship with your lecturer is very important and my grades proved that. The modules in which I had a good lecturer who was engaging, interesting and easy to talk to I had my best marks. And the modules in which I had lecturers with negative attitudes and told us we were going to fail (yes, I had an actual lecturer tell my whole class that we were rubbish and going to fail…days before an exam) I received terrible grades.
To be honest, there isn’t too much you can do if you don’t like your lecturer. But if you do find yourself in that situation, make sure you seek advice and guidance elsewhere about the topic that they are teaching.
Assignments
When it comes to assignments, do as I say not as I do. It is so important to prep and start your assignments well in advance. But for two and a half years, I didn’t do that. It was only until my final ever semester that I properly planned out my work. This may be because I found them the most enjoyable modules, or it may be because I’d finally learnt my lesson and knew that I needed to start the assignments earlier.
There will be some of you reading this who can smash out an amazing assignment very quickly and easily. If you are one of those people – I’m completely envious. However, for those of you who are more like me – please start your assignments early.
Another reason that I struggled with doing my assignments early is because I rarely wrote them in order. I tended to write about whichever section interested me at the time and then order it to fit the outline at the end. However, when you’re being taught section by section in order, you can’t really do that (unless you have nice lecturers who upload all of the learning material at the beginning of the semester).
One thing I did find helpful and made me more productive was setting a timer for twenty minute/half an hour bursts at a time. It made me feel like I could actually achieve what I needed to and helped keep my motivation up. Check out my “7 Tips For An Organised Mind” where I talk more about this technique.
And when it comes to group work, just try your best. Hopefully, you’ll be lucky and have a really great group. But if you don’t make sure that you do your best and don’t let them control you. Also, make sure that your lecturer is aware of your group dynamic as they may be able to offer you some help and advice – and trust me, it can make a massive difference.
Struggling/Wanting To Quit
I wanted to quit and give up university constantly. Mostly in first and second year if I’m honest. I think by third year I just thought – I’ve gotten this far, why stop now?
I think one of the main reasons that I wanted to give up was I didn’t think that I was good enough and couldn’t handle the growing pressure to pass uni with flying colours. It took me a while to realise that all I needed to do was my best – and not everyone’s best is constantly getting top grades. If you know that you’ve done your best, then that’s all that’s important.
I don’t have much advice on this topic – all I can say is keep trying. However, there is absolutely no shame in leaving university if it isn’t for you. Talk to someone about how you’re feeling. There will always be someone who can relate to how you’re feeling. And if you’re struggling to find someone, my emails are always open.
Going Out-Out
As I’m sure you’ll know one of the biggest stereotypes of university students is that they go out every single night and get drunk. I definitely knew students who did do this and there is nothing wrong with that! I loved a good night out of drinking, dancing and just enjoying some freedom.
However, if like me, you prefer a night in in front of Netflix – DO NOT let anyone pressure you or make you feel guilty for not wanting to go out. Yes, you definitely need to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try new things. But if you don’t want to go out; don’t go out! Look after yourself first!
Tips From Other Students
I thought that I would take to Instagram and ask for some tips and advice for university students. So here are some of the tips that I received -
* Don’t do activities just to fit in – do what you’re comfortable with
* Try and keep some sort of a routine
* Keep hydrated – and not just with alcohol…
* Don’t ever put university stress over your mental health
* It’s okay to be scared – most people are; even if they won’t admit it
* Naps are essential
* Try absolutely everything – don’t turn down opportunities because you won’t get the chance again
* Don’t be pressured into doing a course that you don’t feel is right for you
* Research the nearest food stores
* Just enjoy it and don’t take it for granted!
* Don’t just stay friends with the people that you meet during Freshers – socialise!
* Don’t trust everyone that you meet
* A little partying doesn’t hurt – just don’t go overboard
* Try and do work a little at a time – don’t try and do a whole assignment in a couple of nights
* Don’t stress – enjoy the ride! You only get one chance to do this
Where Am I Now?
I thought I would finish this post off by reflecting a little bit on where I am now – just over a year after finishing university.
So, I was extremely lucky to be given a part-time job offer from the place in which I was volunteering (which I started through a university project). It’s an amazing organisation who help young people in the local area and I am so lucky to work with such amazing people! Click here to check out their website and click here to check out their Instagram. Any support, especially during this time is definitely appreciated🧡
But like many people I was put on furlough (and at the time of posting still am) so that kinda threw a spanner in the works for me. I’d love to be able to stay working there for as long as possible, but I definitely need another part-time job. As mentioned, I am a business management graduate, so would love to find a job associated with this. I’m currently interested in the world of business consulting. So, if anyone has any advice or potential job offers, I would love to chat – please email me or message me via the contact page.
And obviously I’m now writing this blog. I absolutely adore having this blog and the amazing little community that I have found – I’m extremely grateful for you all🥰
This post could literally go on forever, so I’ll finish it here.
If anyone has any questions or any advice, please leave them in the comments section and let’s help each other out *heart face
Good luck to anyone currently in university or going to university soon🤞🏻🧡
Cerys x
