WHAT I LEARNT IN MY FIRST YEAR OF UNIVERSITY // ADVICE

Before moving to university, everybody has their thoughts and perspectives about how their first year is going to 'pan out'. I had visions of my first year being completely different to what I have encountered. Definitely not in a bad way though, as I wouldn't change it for the world! But I thought that I would share with you what I learnt throughout my first year of uni, and maybe you could take a little bit of advice from this too!

All that lovely new kitchen-ware you bought?...

You will not use it. Not in a bad way, because you can save it for when you move into your house for the second year. When I moved into halls last September I brought plates, bowls, cutlery, mugs and everything else you can imagine. Except, Victoria Hall in Manchester supplied us with everything we needed without informing us first. So there was all of my nice new kitchen-ware sat in the cupboard, not being touched. However, even though I barely touched it, it still managed to get lost and when I was packing up everything of mine from the kitchen area to take into the new house, I noticed how many of my pans didn't have lids and how only 3/9 of my shot glasses actually made it.

What dignity?...

Okay so that is a bit of an exaggeration. You will have dignity - don't you worry - but I am focusing on how you look. It will get to the point at university where you really don't give a stuff about what you look like. I would stroll to the Spar in my dressing gown, and makeup from the previous night. It's just how I began to roll, and you will notice that everybody else around you is exactly the same. 

You're lovely and quiet?...

If you make friends with the type of people I made friends with, you will definitely not see your quiet  side very often. This isn't a bad thing, as I had so much fun hiding my quiet side and showing my true colours. I began to feel like I could be myself around complete strangers, who became my best friends. 

Oh THAT reading list...

Reading list? Nope. Every lecturer always bangs on about how you need to buy certain books for the course you're studying, because they will be needed and extremely beneficial. Beneficial maybe, but certainly not needed. I study Philosophy, and my lecturers would give us text book photocopies to take away with us, regarding what we had to learn. Don't get me wrong, I bought a few books off my own back to annotate, but I didn't need them. I just thought it would be easier than me scribbling my life away on photocopies. 

Who said your diet would consist of pasta and soup?

This myth is one of the biggest lies I have heard during university. Everyone always says "you looking forward to living like a student?", or "get ready for your diet of pasta and soup!". All vast lies which shouldn't be listened to. Me and my friends would often cook together, and the meals we would make up were amazing! One time, me and Minnie from Through Minnie's Eyes even had steak. Now come on, if you find the right shop e.g. Aldi, Lidl etc. you can eat meals which are half decent and enjoyable!

Night's out will become your new favourite hobby...

So when you go home and your parents ask "you found any new hobbies that you like?", maybe not mentioning that you attend all of the student nights throughout the week apart from a Sunday is a good idea. No matter how hard you try and stop this vicious cycle, you will always find yourself at the local student night, sipping away on £2 doubles pretending to be Kanye West. And yes. You WILL enjoy it.

So there is just a few of the things that I learnt throughout my first year of university. I will write a follow-up post on this, but for now here is a few to get your heads around.

What're you most looking forward to at university?

TOP 5 TIPS FOR MOVING HOUSE // STUDENT STYLE

So recently, I moved into my uni house for my second year. I'm not going to lie, I am not brilliant when it comes down to packing. Trying to put things into order and deciding what goes were is not by strong point! So the point of this blog post is for me to show you what I have learnt, and what tips 'n' tricks I have learnt within the process!

1. GET RID OF ALL OF THE RUBBISH YOU FIND: don’t lie, you're bedroom is full of pointless objects and items that you have acquired over your time at university. My room definitely was when I came to the packing stage. If I a honest, I think I could pass for being a hoarder! Getting rid of the things that take up unnecessary space in your room will not just one, make unpacking easier but two, also make the whole moving process and lighter for you in the long run!
2. DECIDE WHAT COLOUR SCHEME YOU ARE GOING TO GO FOR: there is no point moving if you do not know what colour scheme your new bedroom is going to be. I was okay with this, as I decided to keep the same colour scheme as the room in my halls. The colour scheme I went for was a mixture of pastel colours with a vintage twist. This colour scheme is so so easy to keep up with, as practically everything goes with each other, and it's simple to add little things  in too. 
3. BEGIN PACKING EARLIER THAN THE NIGHT BEFORE MOVING: I feel very hypocritical writing this tip, but it is something I learnt during the packing process! Me being as stupid as I can be sometimes, decided that packing the day before the moving day, was going to give me enough time to get everything together. I was wrong. It took me hours and hours and hours to get everything together, and I spent half of the time gathering boxes to actually put my belongings in, which links into the second tip…
4. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH BOXES TO PACK WITH: again, I feel super hypocritical. Instead of having everything packed into big cardboard boxes, (which would have been waaay easier to move with) I packed everything into little boxes. I felt the need to use the big Pandora box that I had stashed underneath my bed, and filling every single Selfridges bag that I had hidden underneath my desk!
5. PACK IN SOME SORT OF ORDER: this will make things a lot easer when unpacking. You will be able to go through an order of one box at a time, instead of rifling through different boxes making the process a lot harder than it should be!

So there are the top 5 tips of mine for when moving. These will literally be a lifesaver… especially for a ditsy person like me!

Do you have any other tips for packing?

BEING AT UNIVERSITY WITH DEPRESSION & ANXIETY

Photograph can be found HERE

When I submitted my university application last year, I knew exactly what I was going to be letting myself in for... And it was not within my comfort zone. 

Being a sufferer of depression and anxiety, the thought of branching out and going to university absolutely terrified me. I did not like the thought of moving away from my family, friends and small town into a city which I didn't know my way around, to be thrown into living with people that I did not know. Thinking of this led me to suffer more frequent panic attacks, and shutting myself away from everyone and everything. 

However, I was not giving up. University was what I wanted to do in order to achieve my dream.

Now that I have been at university for 9 months and being so, so close to finishing my first year, I would not have changed it for anything. I have made the most amazing friends whilst being here, created some of the most incredible memories, and if anything eased of those dark thoughts of depression. I have also had less frequent anxiety attacks and learnt to become a little bit more independent.

If you are going to university this September, and you too suffer from depression or anxiety, my advice is that you should not worry. Everything will fall into place, and find a way to make your university adventure absolutely amazing and special. Also, remember that each university offers support and guidance if you ever need it, so you will never be alone. And remember, make the most of everything. 

Little Uni Posts: The Build Up To Leaving Home & Moving In Day

Even though I moved away from home and to university around 2 months ago, I thought now is the time where I can put together some posts to display on my blog about university life. This is purely because I have experienced a handful of things since being here, and I thought I could document some university ongoings here on my blog every now and then. What do you think?

So the week building up to moving in day was absolutely terrifying. I'm not going to lie about how I was feeling because at heart I am a home bird, and I love to be surrounded by my family and spend the majority of my time in their presence. So when my mum dragged the box full of kitchen essentials through to my room to start packing away, I did have a little sob at the thought that I wasn't going to see her everyday, and we weren't going to be a part of each others lives everyday like we used to be. Then, my nan surprised me with a bathroom hamper full of cute little things for my bathroom, along with towels, bleach, shampoo & conditioner and other necessities and then I thought "wow, I really am growing up."

So Saturday 20th September came around very very quickly and me, my mum, my nan and my brother all hopped into the jam packed car full of all of my belongings and set off to move to Manchester. The whole journey I felt so ill, because I had thoughts about the people I was going to be living with for the next year, if they were going to like me and what they were generally like as people. Mum kept on crying and my brother kept asking the most random questions but eventually we arrived at my halls and it was time to unpack. 

When I went to the reception area to pick up my keys, my aunty jokingly said to me "I would laugh if you were on the top floor with all of them stairs", and I just brushed off her little comment. Later did I find out I was on the top floor and the stairs were an absolute nightmare to keep on walking up and down to drag all of my stuff into the flat. That day I noticed how unfit I really am! But alas, I got everything set up, tried to work the internet, nearly broke the wardrobe door and then had to say goodbye to everyone. I knew I would have to do this at some point, but I just kept on brushing this off and when it came to face it I 100% was not prepared. My mum and nan were sobbing and my brother looked lost. I have never seen them look like that before, and top tip for you here guys- just hug it all out. I found that hugs bring everything to the surface and tears explode, and that weight that was sitting on your shoulders comes off and you know everything is going to be OK. When they eventually peeled themselves away from me, I didn't know what to do with myself. I sat in my bedroom with the door open eating cashew nuts, and then this little head popped around the door and said 'hi!'. This is Ali and she is the first person I met when I came to uni. We got out the vodka, and then the rest of the night was completely entertaining.

So there is my first little uni post, and there definitely will be more to follow!

Have any of you gone to uni this September? How are you finding it? 

University: It Is All Starting To Get Too Real

So when I picked up my A-Level results on 14th August, I never thought time would go as quick as it has done. I thought that time would slow down as moving to university approached, and the apprehension I had/have would go away. But when thinking about moving to university in around 3 weeks, I still have that same apprehension and I do not feel prepared about going. I even thought about differing and taking a year out, but then I realised that knowing me I would never end up going to university and it would have been one big waste of my hard work that I have put in. 

During worrying about moving to university and whether or not I would enjoy my time there, I began to gather some pieces for the flat I will be living in, and for my new room. I don't think that I have got enough things for university, but there have been people that I have been speaking to and they haven't bought anything at all! I have done a lot of research of the different things that I should be buying, but this confused me a lot so I put lists together myself and with the help of my family I have managed to acquire a few different bits.

Kitchen

My mum decided to take on the roll of buying me things for the kitchen at university. Even though there will be appliances etc. in my hall, my mum wanted to make sure that I didn't starve so thought it would be a good idea to purchase some foods which would last for a few months. She knows I am a lover of mayonnaise and pasta so she made sure to buy those for me, and she also bought me tea towels, sugar, tea bags and scissors (I added the shot glasses ha!). There are still some things that I need to buy such as spatulas and things, but I can get them cheap at ASDA. I think my flat has crockery etc. so I will need to make sure before I buy something that I don't end up needing.

Of course I will do my own food shopping whilst I am there, and I won't be relying on my mum or anything to help me do so. I am beginning to learn to have independence on these types of things, but the one thing I need to learn is how to cook! I can cook the simplest of meals but there is a barrier between me and the more complex of meals, so this is something I will be asking my mum for help on! 

Stationary

Oh good old stationary. I feel as though I have been buying stationary for the past 14 years of life none-stop, and I probably will be buying even more of it over the next 4 years! So far I have bought a notebook and a pack of pens. I know that I will need a lot more stationary but I just don't know what to buy! I am definitely a writer and I love to take down as many notes that I can, but I just can't think of what to gather and take with me to university. I also ended up buying a Filofax. Some people may see this as something 'old people' buy to organise their extremely busy lives, but I looked at the content of them and they look so so useful. Inside you can swap and change where everything is, buy new things to put inside, there is a timetable section, an academic diary section alongside a standard 2014 diary, to-do lists and a lot more! I highly recommend one of these if you are venturing to university, because they will be so handy when you rock up to your lectures and have to take down important dates.

Many people I have spoken to are like "well can't you just buy it down there?", and that is a true point but I don't want to put that burden on myself when I will have books etc. to buy. I would rather buy the necessities up here at home, so that I am prepared for the 'Big Move' and breaking away from home. 

Decorations Etc.

This is something I am seriously lacking on. I have bought a vintage style cereal tin and 3 other tins which match together. I have no idea what I am going to use these for- probably not for their purposes but to store random objects and keep my room looking less untidy. I bought them because they looked pretty, and not because I had an idea of what I could use them for. As for the cereal tin, it is unlikely that I will be eating cereal at university so that probably won't have cereal stored in it, but something else like tampons or something shoved in the corner of my room or in the bottom of a draw haha. I want to get some fairy lights because they are cute and who doesn't enjoy fairy lights at night?! 

Bathroom

I have left my nan in charge of this job. Actually she chose to take on this roll, but I think this is down to her love for cleaning and organisation. She loves to buy things for personal hygiene, and cleaning supplies so I gave her the pleasure of stocking up on those for me. I know so far she has bought bleach, toothbrushes, toothpaste, flash, and towels, but I don't know if she has added anything else to the collection as of yet. I know it is only university and I am in halls for a year, but I want to make my bathroom look pretty also. I want to buy bright colourful things to store in there to make it look snazzy and less boring and white.

University Facebook Pages
When I found that my offer at Manchester Metropolitan University had turned to unconditional, I realised that a lot of freshers pages and MMU pages had sent me friends requests. Once I had, had a little nosey at the page I saw that there were little individual ones for the different halls of residents. Having these pages over summer has made life so much easier. I joined the Victoria Hall page and started speaking to a lot of other people who will be in that accommodation too. They all seem so lovely and genuine that it has put my nerves aside for meeting the people at university. Even though I do not know who is in my flat, many members of the group have been so talkative so it doesn't worry me too much (touch wood!).

I also managed to land myself a job at university through Facebook pages, as a club representative and promoter. This excites me because it is completely out of my comfort zone and the job that I do at home. It doesn't stop me from being excited though!

So there we have it! Less than 3 weeks to go is getting even more scarier by the day. Are you going to university? What have you bought so far?

Life Update | Results Day On The Horizon, Kendal Calling & Anxiety

Hello lovelies, I hope that you are well!

These 'life updates' seem to becoming a permanent thing now, and to be honest I love writing them! I love to share with you guys what I have been up to and if I have discovered anything new to inform you on.

So firstly, like many other Year 13's out there, I have absolutely terrified for next Thursday as it is A-Level Results Day. This day determines whether I will be going to university or not, and whether I will be spending my Thursday night celebrating or drowning my sorrows. I become so nervous for days like this because I really am a nervous person, and the slightest thing can make me really ill. Therefore, I will need to calm down a little bit before next Thursday! Are any of you guys collecting your exam results and hoping to go to university in September?

Friday 1st August - 3rd August I went to Kendal Calling. Although the weather was absolutely shocking and it was an utter mud pit, I had one of the best weekends of my entire life. That was down to the people I shared the tent with, the people I camped with and the acts that I went to see. 

These are only a small amount of photo's that I have picked, and it doesn't give the amazing weekend enough justice. I have already decided that I am definitely going again next year!

Whilst at Kendal Calling, my anxiety got the better of my and I became very ill on the Friday night. I have noticed that recently my anxiety is making more of an appearance than I would like it to, and I need to learn to keep it under wraps. I don't know whether this has to do with turbulent friendships, exam results or going to university but it is beginning to get the better of me. My anti-depressants are supposed to help with my anxiety but they are not at all, so if any of you guys have any tips then please leave them in the comments below! Or even if you have any advice on coping with anxiety at university then please feel free to leave comments on that too.

So there is another life update. What have you guys been up to recently?

Writing Your Personal Statement

Sorry that I haven't blogged in a while, life has taken its toll and decided to hold me up for a while, but I'm back!

I am currently going through the process of writing my personal statement and applying for university. I struggled to begin my personal statement, and now that I am at the final stages of finishing it off and perfecting it, I thought that I would share with you guys how to start, process and complete your personal statements if you are going through the same process that I am and struggling too.

1. An opening sentence that describes you!

When beginning to write your personal statement, you need an opening sentence that describes you. I know that for some people, writing about themselves isn't the first thing that they would choose to do, but in an interview it is likely that you will be asked to describe yourself, and it is what you need when starting off your personal statement. 

2. Your passion for what you want to study and why!

Secondly, you need to express your love and enthusiasm for the subject/s that you are wanting to study, and why you love them so. The people reading your personal statements need to see why they should accept you into their university, and if it is worth tutoring and lecturing you, and if they can fulfill your passion.

3. What have you achieved? 

This is your time to shine. What have you achieved? What have you done in your life so far that your proud of? Make sure that you explain it in detail because it's all about you.

4. Your employment!

Are you employed? Have you been employed? How many jobs have you had? Explain what you have done and what skills and qualities this has brought you.

5. Time for some summarisation. Why should the university pick you?

This is when you explain why the university should pick you, and what you can bring to the university. Why do you wish to study there? What are you looking forward to? A good summary will bring your personal statement together.

There is a small structure that you can follow to write your personal statement. I hope you find this useful!

Little Adventure's In Life

So recently it has been that point in my life where I have to make the decision of whether I would like to venture of to university straight after I leave Sixth Form, or if I would like to take a year out and go travelling. This was a tough decision for me as I have always dreamed of going travelling, but I decided that university seemed more important to me at this point in my life, and I feel as though I should get it over and done with whilst I can, and also whilst I have the support that is available to me.

Although I will not be going travelling after this year, I have an urge to share with you the top 5 places where I dream of visiting after I graduate from university!

#1- Paris

I went on a school trip to France in Year 8, and as part of this we got to visit Paris. I instantly fell in love with the city, as I thought the buildings and detail of it seemed so intricate. Sadly however, we only got to stay there for an hour as it was only a drive through as we were heading back to England. I would love to be able to visit Paris again, but make sure to stay there for longer as there is so much to see and do.

#2- New York

I have never been to America, but I have always dreamed of visiting there. This is probably down to watching so many adverts of Disney Land Florida as a child, but it is somewhere I have wanted to visit for so long. I have wanted to visit America for so long, that it even came to the point where I was contacting Seattle University for information about international students. After a lot of thinking though, I decided that I would miss my family too much as I am a big family person, and I didn't think that I would be able to cope without them for such a long period of time.

#3- Australia

When we were younger, me and my cousin Danielle were very close, until she moved away to Australia. I didn't really think anything of this place, up until Danielle posted photographs on Instagram and Facebook, and looking at these photographs made me really jealous of the place where she lives. Australia looks such a gorgeous place to visit, and it is definitely on my bucket list of places to go. Seeing as though my Great Nan and Aunty often go out there to visit my cousins, it wouldn't be such a bad idea for me to 'tag along' with them and finally tick off something off my bucket list. :)

#4- Italy

As my dad is half Italian, I have always been aware of this culture and always had the opportunity to try different Italian foods which have been made from scratch. My nan has always shown me photographs of her home village out in Italy, and it looks like such a beautiful place to visit. The buildings are so tiny and cute! Unfortunately though, I think this may be something I will have to fulfill on my own as my nan doesn't go out there a lot anymore, and neither does my dad. Therefore, I will probably have to drag a friend along with me!

#5- China

When I was in lower school, doing my GCSE's, there was a trip running to China. Because of the options that I decided to take, it wasn't possible for me to take part as it clashed. I was very disappointed with this, as the Chinese culture seems amazing. A very good friend of mine, Linsey, is half Filipino, and even though she isn't Chinese, her mum makes THE BEST fried rice ever! Also, Linsey really wants to go sight seeing, so I will be making sure she comes with me!

I will have to make sure that visiting these places get's done, as writing about them makes me more excited to graduate university sooner!

What are your top places that you want to visit?

Also, check out Linsey's blog. Its amazing. - www.redvelvetkiss.blogspot.co.uk

Ciao for now,