Showing posts with label student. Show all posts
Showing posts with label student. Show all posts
You may be the most outgoing individual out there or completely introverted, either way, it’s not uncommon for someone of any background to experience homesickness. Whether you are travelling far and wide to start University, or just commuting into the city, it is completely normal and completely valid. Whoever you are, you don’t need to tackle it on your own so today, you can sit down with me and listen to my tips of how to help those feelings wash away.
Keep yourself distracted
This involves saying yes to things, putting yourself out of your comfort zone, and generally getting yourself out there! Whether it’s moving your study plans to the library or common room rather than your bedroom, signing up to a society, or trying to join in with things you never usually would, a lot of the time, you’re mind will be so focused on the new task or environment that you might even forget about your homesickness all together.
One of my favourite things to do when I’m feeling in a bit of a rut is to jam-pack my days. Instead of going to Uni then coming home, arrange to meet some friends after, start the day early with a run, plan a late-night study session; keeping the plans rolling will really help keep your mind of any niggling worries.
Limit home visits
As much as you’ll want to go home every weekend, sometimes keeping constant contact can just make you feel worse. A quick phone call home every evening to check-in is perfect, you get to update your family on what’s been happening without seeing exactly what you’re missing. Plus, you should be able to tell them about all of the different things you’ve been doing with your days and, as you begin to receive praise, you’re only going to want to do it more and more.
Know that it’s okay!
Whether it’s the dog you’re missing, your Gran, or simply the corner of your bedroom that makes you feel cosiest, it’s completely fine to miss these things. After all, these are the things that you have most likely grown up with and formed an unbreakable bond with. When you move to University, by no means do these bonds have to break - feeling homesick is a completely normal and common thing to experience and, no matter how bad it feels, there will always be a way to feel better. Every University has a support team, well equipped for dealing with any of your worries and, believe it or not, a lot of your friends will probably be feeling this way too, so it’s completely fine to have a little chat.
Limit it to 3 words if you need to: ‘Distract. Limit. Share’. Keep your mind away from your worries, limit the time you have to think about these thoughts, and don’t be scared to share these thoughts. As we all know, a problem shared is a problem halved, and, when it’s a problem as universal as this, we all have a lot of halving that we can help with.
Making Friends is easy but still requires effort
A lot of people will say ‘Oh, you’ll make lots of friends at Uni’ and they’re not wrong, they just missed out a vital part. Making friends doesn’t happen if you stand still - to be brutally honest, you have to put some work into it to get things back. But, don’t worry, I’m not telling you you need to train day-in-day-out on how to greet people properly, I’m saying you need to engage with people and make sure that you come across as an approachable person or even human. This included getting into group chat for, say, your course mates; inviting flatmates over for food; going along to social events, and even having a go at the karaoke night. It might seem painstaking, you might feel completely intimidated by those 3rd years in the society meetings (which, by the way, is how everyone else feels) but in these first few weeks, you have nothing to lose. Get yourself out there, step out of your comfort zone, and be the best version of you that there possibly is.
Revise from Day 1
I said this about college and now I’m here saying it about Uni; this time, though, I mean it. No matter what kind of course you’re studying on, whether it is coursework or exam based, revise from the moment you start. It may seem insignificant now, but when it comes to exams, you will hate yourself for losing that piece of information or having not written down the necessary notes. In general, just be organised and make life so much easier for your future self.
You’re an investor in a business, so get back your worth
When I started working for the Uni a few months into my 1st year, my previous naivety quickly began to wear off and I started realising that Universities are a business; a money-making scheme. I have previously discussed on here how I strongly believe that certain courses should not be worth the £9K that is required in comparison to some more costly courses. In a way, though, I think a lot of people would be able to use this information as they head into Uni (no matter which year you’re entering) as an advantage. Don’t sit and struggle in silence; as for things from your lecturers, attend the extracurricular lectures, use the library computers, their software, etc. do everything you possibly can to gain back your worth as an investor in their business. After all, you are paying for this, so it’s time to get your own back.
If you’re starting University this year, heading back into your next year, or even just thinking about applying for Uni, make sure to remember that it is a unique and excellent experience and, in more ways than one, and excellent learning chapter.
We all know by now that, as of Septemeber last year, I'm a full-time Uni student. I study English Language in a city University, I've moved homes, I've made new friends, and I've already had a bunch of new experiences. From the outside, looking in, you'll probably see my Uni life as a cliche kind of set up - friends, learning, drinking, and just all-around student vibes. And, to be honest, you wouldn't be too wrong because I certainly do wish to embrace these sweet years before it gets serious, but there are definitely some honest truths about University that you don't always get to hear.
1. IT REALLY IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT
If you're heading to Uni anytime soon and you've already got your Netflix subscription lined up, you might want to consider taking it down a tier and just keeping yourself on the standard tariff because there's no way you're going to fulfil your Uni experience by glueing yourself to a screen the entire time. Ok, yes, there will be times when you need those peaceful moments to yourself and, believe me, they're equally as good for you, but you're not going to necessarily achieve lots by keeping the laptop as your only friend.
Doing things like joining societies, saying yes to more things, arranging things, joining group chats, or just simply trying something new can really open your eyes and, if you're lucky, help improve you as a person.
When I started Uni, I said yes to a job that I thought was completely out of my reach, actually ended up getting the job, and now thrive in a position that I love while knowing that this will be great for my CV. Getting up, saying yes, and being your best self is exactly what will make Uni a great experience.
2. £9,000 ISN'T ALWAYS JUSTIFIABLE
Being on a course like mine where the most specialist equipment you possible get is a database for corpora, where others get lab coats, iPads, and whatnot, I can easily have days where I feel frustrated at the amount of money I pay for this experience. Of course, the money is loaned and right now not something I need to worry about, but I'll be delighted when the day comes that different courses are given different loan amounts. At the moment, my course is a hefty £9,000+ and, frankly, it only involves powerpoint slides.
Understandably, I'm paying for the environment and the expertise that I get to work amongst at University, but I just don't quite believe that courses like mine should have to pay the same amount as a course that requires lots of time and equipment.
3. IT'S NOT JUST A PRETTY WALK IN THE PARK
As I mentioned at the start, a lot of people see students as living their best lives, socialising and having fun, but I cannot sugar coat this experience completely. There are moments of stress, a fair amount, to be honest, moments of upset, weakness, or frustration but these are just the battles that you have to face to enjoy everything else and get good grades and memories by the end of it. Just like many things in life, this University chapter is supposed to challenge you - whether for you that is waking up for 9am lectures, finding friends, learning about yourself, or tackling deadlines - at the end of the day, these should be obstacles that make you stronger on the other side.
4. THERE REALLY IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Part of my role as a representative for my University has meant I've had to open my mind to every length and breadth of the University lifestyle. For example, I've had to engage with societies that would normally be of no interest to me, and open my mind to exactly how these niche places are such safe havens for others. I guess you have to put yourself in another person's shoes in some instances. Take my University's Boardgame Society, for example; that's something that wouldn't take my interest but for others has provided a space of safety, friendship, and a sense of belonging. To me, hearing about how joining the society had impacted some of the students warmed my heart because it really gave me the sense that University can bring people together from all stretches of the world and make them feel less alone.
So, basically, if you're thinking of starting University but worry that there isn't something there for you or that you don't know anyone or even where to start, you can pretty much be assured that you'll find something and be accepted as yourself.
5. IT'S REALLY NOT THAT DIFFERENT FROM SCHOOL
... but believe me, I hated school but love Uni. However, I can't deny that you'll still find 'the popular kids', and the ones that never shut up in class, the days where you and friends just can't stop giggling through lectures at completely immature things, the fact that lecturers really can't get you to be quiet, and even sometimes do that 'I'll stand here silent until they notice', and the childish gossip that floats around now and then. These though, are the things that I think actually make it that bit more bearable. I guess it's like a home-from-home or a nostalgia that never left; these qualities are what keep us going, keep us feeling young, and keep us learning.
So, it may not always present itself at face value but one of the best things about attending University is learning about the University experience. Even coming from someone who was doubtful as to whether I'd go to Uni, I would now completely and wholeheartedly recommend it.
What truths about University have you never shared?
When I was planning my posts for this month, I decided that seeing as though I've been pretty quiet lately, it was only necessary to do a little catch-up. The thing with doing a catch up is that my life is pretty much a 'Uni life' these days. Therefore, I thought it was more than necessary to make this catchup a general look at how Uni has been for me so far. So, for anyone mildly interested or any future students who just wanna get a feel for this University malarkey, continue on.
Making friends.
I've been lucky enough to make an amazing couple of friends. The gals that I 'hang around' with are all on my course and, even better, totally except me for being the loser that I am. And by that I mean, I couldn't ask for better friends to expect me as the anti-party-animal that I am. Not only that, but they make me feel so much calmer in the city, in my lectures and around everyone else because we've all clicked so well. We got to know each other before Uni started, through a Facebook group chat so, if you're going to be starting Uni in the future, I'd definitely recommend taking advantage of these group chats.
My course.
If you didn't already know, I'm at University studying English Language. It's a subject that I'm really passionate about and so far it has not disappointed. As you can imagine, there's a lot of reading that comes with my course which can sometimes make me feel really pinned down - I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself with these kinds of things so I'm still trying to find a healthy balance. Nevertheless, I am pleased that we have got right into the learning and that there are challenges to face, rather than just painstaking, too-easy work. I'm definitely enjoying learning again after a year out.
General social life.
I touched on it a little bit up there but, to be honest, I have had a lot less worry and stress about not being a big drinker than I expected. Moving up to Newcastle meant that I was scared of being judged for hating nightclubs and being fast asleep after two glasses of wine but, to be honest, it's fine. I've found myself some friends that accept me for who I am and I actually think that people just generally prefer you to be honest. I've actually begun to realise that being honest is what makes you a better person in the eyes of others and, more importantly, yourself. Other than that, I feel as though I have a nice balance of work and social right now as I've been making sure to say yes to lunch with friends and stick around Uni to work together.
Living away from home.
Since I moved away from home, I've actually felt a lot better than I expected to feel. I am typically very homesick when I'm away from home (on holiday for example) but I think that being not too far from home, being able to FaceTime home whenever I need to, and having my boyfriend (and best friend) living with me, it just seems to be so much easier. I think I'm lucky with this one though - not everyone can go to a University that's the perfect distance from home, nor can everyone move in with their best friends, but I think the most important thing to know is that it's okay to feel homesick - definitely don't let it break you apart.
A new job.
I cannot believe I'm saying this. If you'd asked me a month ago 'Are you going to get a job while you're at Uni?', I would've point blank said 'no'. I really didn't want to come home from a long day of studying only to have to go back out and paint on a smile in retail. It wasn't until the role of Digital Content Creator came up within the University's Marketing Team - I just knew that, with my love for writing, my creativity, and my experience with having a blog for god-knows-how-long, it sounded completely perfect for me. I was incredibly lucky enough to get through the long and shortlist and was employed; I literally can't believe it, especially as those on my team seem to have so much talent. Everyone within the team seems lovely and I feel so grateful to be earning money to do something that I enjoy.
After a few weeks of doing ~£35 weekly food shops, I realised I was doing something right. Visiting the supermarket once a week, spending never more than £40, for two people, is pretty good (if I do say so myself). And, as much as I love my mum, it's certainly not something I get from her. I somehow seem to have clicked into a perfect routine of efficiently spending money on food but for maximum value. Here's how I do it:
Double Up.
When I witness a person place two tea bags in two mugs to make two cups of tea... I wince. In my opinion, one tea bag should be able to serve a minimum of two cups of tea. And, don't be a fool - if you think 'no way would one of my tea bags make two cups of tea', then you're buying the wrong tea bags. Oh, and FYI, I drink builders cups too; none of this dainty tea-party malarky. Here's how the pricing works: PG Tips Tea Bags typically only serve 1 cup of Tea making 200 tea bags = 200 cups of tea. This works out at 2.8p per tea bag*. On the other hand, Ringtons Traditional Tea typically serves 2 (or sometimes 3) cups per bag making it 100 bags = 200 cups. This then equates to 1.6p per tea bag. Get it? Understandably, Ringtons have the inconvenient delivery charges but I'm pretty sure they're popping up in some supermarkets now and then (but don't take my word for it).
Own Brand.
Admittedly, not everything is best by own brand but a lot of things certainly are. Crisps, for example. Lidl's Snacktastic range has basically 0 difference to Walkers or other crisps. Similarly, the brilliant cupboard staple: Tinned Chopped Tomatoes. Take Morrisons, for example, their basic Chopped Toms are 4 for £1.36* or the branded ones are 4 or £2*. The difference? Nothing. Even better, pop to Lidl where it's 4 for £1.16†. On the other hand, tea bags are one of the products that I believe can improve by brand as ou saw me mention above. So much money can be saved by giving the switch ago - you definitely don't know until you try.
Batch Cook.
If I do say so myself, this one is the one I've perfected. To be honest, it's so easy. It's often cheaper to buy things in bulk, especially vegetables and spices, etc. so it makes so much sense to batch cook. Some dishes that I have been cooking lately includes a Katsu Curry sauce which I just double the measurements for then once cooked and cooled, I pop it in a freezer bag, flatten it out and freeze it for another day. I also do this with the likes of Chilli Con Carne and, when I have leftover vegetables like tomatoes and pepper, I'll whip up a basic tomato pasta sauce, blitz it, and freeze that flat too. Not only is batch cooking cost effective, it's perfect for when you come home with no idea or energy to cook and you just want to grab something out of the freezer. The tomato sauce, for example, will just need to sit in some hot water for a short while then added to some cooked pasta. Preparing this way makes your life so much easier and I can guarantee it will be a LOT better for you than just having a frozen pizza.
Freeze Like a Pro.
As I just previously mentioned, I do a lot of freezing with my food. My freezer currently contains all sorts from Banana Pancake mix, Katsu Curry Sauce, Chilli con Carne, and a Shepards Pie. One thing that I particularly like freezing is meat. It's something that I was never taught to freeze as a child. My mum is and always has been a bit particular when it comes to meat - in her books it has to be fresh and certainly not reduced. I, on the other hand, fled home with the understanding that this wasn't the best outlook to have, especially if I wanted to budget. Meat can be kept fresh for so much longer with the use of a freezer. For example, we bought some wonderful looking breaded chicken fillets that were 'reduced' in Lidl due to their expiry date approaching in a few days. If you freeze the meat before its expiry date, that is safe. As long as you don't put something in the freezer that has exceeded the 'Use By' date, you will be fine. As well as that, though, we tend to buy the likes of fresh mince in bulk then separate it into portions before it goes in the freezer - again, as I mentioned, it's cheaper to buy in bulk and also really easy to bring out exactly what you're going to eat.
Meal Plan.
This is something that I was taught to do from the get-go. In fact, I don't think it was a case of being taught, it was just all that I knew. I remember when I first started my relationship with Jamie and I found really strange that he wouldn't know what was for tea that night - I would've been able to tell him what I was eating for the following week. Now, living away from home, it is something that I've brought with me and definitely something that is helping with my budgeting.
I was very kindly gifted this meal planning fridge pad from a friend that you can see on the picture above but you can just use a pen and paper. The reason why it's so beneficial for keeping costs down is that it makes you use everything you buy. It's so, so rare that I will throw food out. Our little household has so little waste when it comes to food. It's also just nice knowing what you're eating that evening and, if you really don't fancy what you've planned, at least you have backups in the freezer, right?
Lidl it.
Ok, just quickly because I'm aware that everywhere I go I somehow end up preaching Lidl. I promise, I'm not sponsored by them, I just bloody love them. You can get so many bargains in there. Just give it a go.
How do you food budget?
* According to shop websites on 10/09/18
† According to one of my own receipts.
I guess it's a given really, as an English student, that I love reading. To be honest, for the past few years, I've barely read a thing mainly because of full-time studies and the whole 'getting a boyfriend' thing. But now Jamie and I have found comfort in sitting in bed together reading away on an evening. Forgive us for sounding like we're 60-year-olds, but at least I have the excuse of being an English Student, right? Anyhow, I have started to discover over the past few months exactly what it is that draws me into a book. When I was younger all it took were a few words leading to a romance for me to click 'To Read' on Goodreads. Nowadays, I would much rather share my time out a little more wisely - I don't want to waste my time on a book that I won't enjoy so, by finding out what I like in a novel, I can make better decisions on what to read next.
Short chapters.
I don't know why but I feel a little ashamed to say this. As an English Student, I feel as though there's an expectation for me to love sitting down with books thicker than my skull but, honestly, give me a decent novella and I'd be all over it. I can be a bit of (a lot) an impatient person so starting a book with 600 pages ahead of me fills me with absolute dread. Although, this is often made a lot easier for me if the chapters are short. And Good Lord, those books that have one-page chapters... well they really were sent down from the heavens. I'm the kind of person that I would call a 'Perfectionist Reader': I don't fold the pages, I take it nowhere near water, I never break the spine and I always have to close at the end of a chapter. I have no idea how people can close the book halfway through a chapter without a burning desire to know what happens - especially before bed - how do you sleep?!
No triggers.
As someone who suffers from anxiety and is quite the sensitive flower, I can sometimes be intimidated by books that I think will trigger upset. I've put off books in the past - such as Thirteen Reasons Why and It's Kind of a Funny Story - because I'm aware of their potential to make me think about things that I shouldn't really be thinking about. However, there have been books that, despite potential triggers, I have read and enjoyed. Books such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Manifesto on How to Be Interesting and This Is Going to Hurt all tackle subjects that I am rather sensitive to yet I rated all three of them 4-5 stars. I can get along with books that show sensitive material and, in a way, I hope that exposing myself to these things can only be strengthening but, right now, I will still be scouring through reviews to avoid what I can.
Funny.
I'm sure every other man and his dog would agree that a few ounces of humour are what makes a book brilliant. From my recent reads, Adam Kay and David and Ben Crystal entertained me with their wit and ability to make two rather niche subjects extremely exciting and interesting. I tend to read these books a little quicker too and they seem easier. Of course, I'm only human for wanting a little laugh before bed at night. Adam Kay's writing, in particular, opened my eyes to how brilliant and uplifting it is to read books by comedians. Adam Kay, once a Doctor, is now a TV comedian and his funny bones (ha... get it?) certainly show in This Is Going To Hurt. So much so, I found myself re-reading certain diary entries aloud to Jamie before we'd burst into a giggle together.
A beautiful cover.
There, I said it! I, Alice of The Rose Glow, am inclined to read a book if the cover is beautiful. I also confess to having read books in the past that have pretty faces - such as How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - only for them to turn out not so great. However, in more than a few cases, these desirable covers have delivered right through to the pages. A few of my favourite books such as Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe and I'll Give You The Sun have covers to die for. Admittedly, it's not the be-all-end-all when I'm deciding what to read next. There has been a tonne of books that I've enjoyed yet hated the cover of, The Great Gatsby being one of them; there's just something so satisfying about reading a piece of art inside and out.
It benefits my studies.
As I mentioned earlier, I'm an English Language Student, and a pretty eager one too. As I am so interested in the subject of English Language, I decided that I really wanted to do some wider reading. There's already a mini collection of books on the subject in my home and, at the moment, I've decided to kind of alternate between the fiction and non-fiction. A few on my bookshelf include You Say Potato (being the only one that I've completed so far), 500 Words You Should Know, and Mother Tongue. Once I'm through those books, there are lots more that I intend to read - I actually have Goodreads shelf full of them - from Txting: The Gr8 Db8 to Euphemania to Spell It Out. Hopefully filling my brain with lots of interesting bits and bobs about the English Language will benefit my studies and give me more understanding.
What makes a good book for you?
SUNGLASSES - TOPSHOP
ORANGE KNIT JUMPER - ASOS
These wide-leg trousers are something that I would definitely never choose but I've actually warmed to them. They're a swaying, lightweight material that will be perfect to wear in the Autumn months. I paired it with this orange, statement jumper to add a real vibracy - on the whole, this outfit was totally comfortable to wear and definitely would be great to wear to Uni when looking for something casual, warm, and stylish.
The collection of loungewear tracksuits on the Femme Luxe website is amazing! There are so many different styles and colours to choose from but I definitely couldn't resist a pink one. I'm a sucker for loungewear and I love the idea of stepping into this tracksuit on days where I'm working at home or when all I need to do is pop to the shop. This particular one is a bit more of a crepe material rather than a jersey material which I think makes it more of an outfit that just pjs. And, of course, the rainbow detail is adorable! I think it adds such a cute touch to this outfit - I'm definitely never going to be out of those joggers especially.
SUNGLASSES - TOPSHOP
NUDE HEELS - ROBERTO VIANNI
Part of Uni life will involve formal situations which I think these black, cuffed trousers can definitely cater to. However, paired with a crop top, they would just as well double up as a party piece. They're very lightweight and thin making them comfortable and easy to move around in. They did originally come with a chain link to be added how you wish but I think I'd be more inclined to add that in a party context rather than this 'formal' style. The cuff around the ankle also fitted really nicely and wasn't too tight or restricitng.
Again, I love the super cute and unique rainbow detail on this two-piece. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend this one for tall people though - the legs ended up being short on me which meant I did have to save it by rolling them up a little - although, this did end up looking OK. The trousers of this set did feel a little low waisted too and, for someone with wide hips and a smaller waist, I can often feel really uncomfortable in anything that doesn't sit high on me. Nevertheless, I think the little rainbow crop top will be perfect for a night-out, even paired with any two of my Femme Luxe black trousers.
☀︎ ☀︎ ☀︎ ☀︎
Altogether, I'm so excited to wear these items in my new chapter through Uni. The pink tracksuit will definitely be something that I'm reaching for on days when I know I want to stay warm and cosy sat at my desk but still want to look and feel good. The wide leg trousers are something I never thought I'd like but, if I can be inspired a little more on what to pair with them, I think they'll definitely grow on me even more. They're just so ideal for a comfortable and stylish piece to attend Uni in. And of course, the cuffed black trousers are something I feel I can never go wrong with. They do require a little bit of adjustment around the waist to fit my particular size, but I think they're such a versatile piece that I can really experiment with.
How are you updating your wardrobe lately?
When I selected the buttons on my UCAS application that said 'deferred entry', I won't lie, I wasn't sure what was going to be ahead of me. Taking a gap year wasn't something that I've always wanted to do since the day I was born but, after experiencing bad anxiety throughout my final years of school and college, and quite frankly not feeling ready to be thrown into ANOTHER kaleidoscope, I knew that the right thing for me to do would be to take a break.
In a way, yes, I did want to find myself. I was kind of stuck in a rut of being a 'student'; walking into a building, being fed information and having to spew it back out onto paper at the end of the year. I didn't have any idea what I wanted to do with my life and, having been held back from lots of things because of my anxiety, I wanted to experience different things.
It all sounds quite splendid - spending your days adventuring and 'finding yourself', experiencing new things and end up with a straightforward mind. Admittedly, there have been many perks - I've had some wonderful experiences across this year but I can't sugar coat it completely. Some people see a gap year as a free-year and a chance to meet your spiritual leader. There are a lot of misconceptions and I deem it only fair that a few of them are cleared up...
You'll fall into a job.
Nope. It's just as difficult as it always is although you sometimes feel a little bit awkward in your interview when you have to explain why you took a gap year and basically justify that you aren't just skiving out of Uni. I found finding a job extremely difficult, partly because of the mental health issues that I was struggling with at the time, and partly because I hadn't been employed before. My partner had 2 years of substantial work experience and managed to get a 9-5 job within a month of hunting but it took me an almighty 5 months to get contracted employment. My job was also temporary and only kept me employed for 3 months. After those 3 months, I was focusing on learning to drive which was something I always found difficult so needed a lot of attention. Then, I was left with barely 3 months until I was due for a 2 week holiday and, after that, I'm moving out. So getting another job seemed impossible - the time it takes to get employed in my area (especially with my little experience) would mean being in a job for a few weeks and no employer was prepared to commit to that. So, I was left with the experience of being a full-time, non-earning blogger and, while I adore blogging and have been able to lift my blog to new heights, it's certainly not how I saw my gap year at the start.
It honestly breaks my heart when I look back at this because not only does it make me feel useless and completely eaten up by my anxiety, but it means that I didn't get to fulfil my gap-year dream of experiencing multiple jobs.
Understandably, this experience changes for EVERYONE. It depends on your determination, your location, your previous experience and so on but it's worth knowing that, if you plan on taking a gap year, expect to need to work hard for work and expect circumstances to change. I wish this is something that I had known before - I didn't realise how much time was wasting away trying to find jobs until I looked back at it.
You can travel the world.
When I first thought of this point, I thought of my friend Katie who has been on a gap year this year but seems to have travelled to so many amazing places. I spoke to Katie and asked if she would say that travelling to different areas has left her scraping the pennies together or whether she has been savvy. Katie kindly discussed with me that she kind of did the whole 'work hard, play cheap' system in that she worked throughout her gap year but when it came to travelling and seeing new things, she kept it European and sought out the cheapest ways to get about. Which, to me, sounds perfect.
So here's my point; finding yourself in the Thai mountains or backpacking your way through Australia might seem like a unique way of spending your gap year, but it might not be all that realistic. Katie travelled Europe and I travelled to a few places in the UK - both of us have experienced amazing things and proven that it doesn't take landing on the moon to say that you've experienced wholesome travel. Travelling the world comes with dedication, expense and a lot of time which, believe it or not, tends to fly by on these gap years.
You'll change your mind.
There were a handful of people that told me I'd change my mind throughout my gap year - that I'd end up forgetting all of my A-Level studies and end up wanting to do something at the complete other end of the spectrum. In case you don't know, if you have applied and received your place in University before you embark on a gap year, you don't really have much choice of whether or not you're attending. Alternatively, you can apply for Uni during your gap year and this gives people a bit more freedom. For me, I applied to do an English Language course before I have even taken my A-Levels so before I was even started on my gap year, I was destined to be going to University in 2018. Nevertheless, I kept an open mind throughout my gap year and always said "If I don't end up going to University, I don't mind. It's more important to me that I have the time to think."
Despite always keeping that in mind, I always knew that the idea of studying something that I find fascinating, and living in the first flat with my partner was 100% something I looked forward to.
I own English books; I keep English fresh in my brain and I'm excited to get back into it again. Admittedly, the workload will probably hit me hard when I go from the ease of a gap year to assignments and deadlines, but I can't pretend that I do yearn for the routine, the discipline and the achievements. Changing your mind takes a lot of thought and processing but, at the end of the day, a gap year is a time to think and if you come out the end of it with a different view, well at least it's been thought through.
What do you think about gap years?
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