WHAT SCHOOL DOESN'T TEACH YOU BUT IT SHOULD

Although I have almost completed my time in education, there are still many things about the world that I don't know but I need to know. There are a few fundamental things that you don't learn in school but you really should. It's a common thing found on social media for people not to value learning about algebra and trigonometry for example which I completely understand but if we didn't learn about this in school, we wouldn't have many mathematicians as how would people know what they would be interested in if they never actually knew what is was? As well as all the standard lessons, life lessons should also be given as part of the curriculum as this would be of value to everyone as everyone has to have a job (unless you're very lucky and are born into a wealthy family), everyone will have bills to pay and budgets to do but also things of importance about the government, the economy and general world issues.

WHAT I HATE ABOUT LIVING AWAY FROM HOME

Moving away from home for University is one of the best things I have done so far in my life. Not only have I built up my confidence but I have learnt a lot of new things about life itself as well as about myself. I've also learnt to navigate myself around a new city and I have to say that Newcastle is an amazing place. I have a new friendship group and I can see a couple of people being a friend for life as well as meeting my boyfriend. However, there are downsides to almost everything in life, including moving away from home.

STUDENT STRESS

This time of the year must be one of the most stressful times of year for a University student. With my exam dates for the summer released today, I have discovered that I have 5 exams and I still have 4 coursework assignments to do before I'm finally done with second year. I say finally but second year has flown by!

Along with the stress of coursework at the minute and the thought of exams, it's become the time of the year where I don't have much student loan left, mainly due to the fact that I spent far too much money on Dominos and clothes this semester. My loan is due in exactly a month and although having a lack of money can be hard, I think having little money can be of some benefit at this time of the year. It means I won't be tempted to buy a takeaway and with summer fast approaching, takeaways need to be banned anyway to help with my waistline. My lack of money will also stop me going out drinking so I can spend time revising and doing coursework unless I get too stressed and just need to get drunk and party and this will again help my waistline. 

The good thing about this time of year is that it's Easter very soon which means I can go home and spend some quality time with my family as well as spending time with my boyfriend without having to worry about going to University as I can't be spending my whole 3 weeks off at Easter doing University work, I need a rest as it is!

My motivation to work hard will be the fact that in 2 months, I will be completely done with second year and my long 4 month summer break can begin! 

Are you or do you know a student who is stressed? Have you become a poor student like me?

25 THINGS I HAVE LEARNT SO FAR FROM UNIVERSITY

Here is a list of the things I have learnt from my University experience so far.

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF UNIVERSITY LOANS AND GRANTS

Prospective students thinking about going to University may be confused about the whole loan and grant situation just like I was before I started so don't worry you aren't alone! They are both forms of money but they are based on and used in different ways.

This information is based on students from England but living outside London. Students from other countries of the UK as well as students living in London and students from other EU and non-EU countries may have different loan and grant amounts as well as people in many other situations such as people with disabilities, part-time students and students with children amongst many of the reasons.

BALANCE IS KEY

Life is all about balance. Juggling University work, socialising with friends, seeing my boyfriend, speaking to family, cooking, cleaning, sleeping, blogging, searching for a job, independent time: the list is endless!

There simply isn't enough time in the day I don't think! It probably doesn't help that I am a huge procrastinator, it's about time my life got some focus. The first 2 weeks of the year saw me revising and stressing out over University exams which I don't think went too well but there's no need to dwell as I can't change it now! The last week and a half has been dominated by partying with my housemates and spending some much needed time with my boyfriend which has been fab! I think it's about time I got organised at time management more effectively now after my week and a half of fun.

STRESS HEAD!

It's the beginning of January which means the return back to University for many students (myself included). I came back to Newcastle on Sunday with a very heavy case. Luckily the conductors were nice and helped me on and off the train because I needed it! (Especially with me wearing heels which probably wasn't the cleverest of ideas!). I don't even know why my case was so heavy, my excuse is because I'm a girl!

I've missed Newcastle so much over Christmas, the people, having my own little routine and the social life! But one thing I haven't missed is my freezing cold student house. That is probably the major downside of moving back here in January because I loathe the cold! I am also one of those unlucky students who also has exams, boo! None of my housemates have them which isn't fair at all! I love and hate University. I love everything about it apart from actually attending lectures which is the whole point of going to University in the first place!

FAT SUNDAYS

Sunday: the day to eat whatever you want and eat however much you want without feeling an ounce of guilt. Even though it is the month of Christmas (and therefore the month of food for a student like me), I still believe on sticking to my Sunday routine by consuming as many calories as I want (after all, Fat Sundays are a tradition to me!)

With Tesco, along with a street full of takeaways including Dominos just around the corner from my student house, the temptation to buy food is constant. I try my best to resist buying too many unhealthy foods and snacks during the week so that I can make up for it on Sundays. Of course I have the odd slip up, I don't even want to consider how many Dominos and how much chocolate I have consumed since returning back to University. I'm seriously surprised at how I haven't put on weight seeing as I don't know the meaning of the word 'exercise'.  

FEELING FESTIVE

It has finally reached the end of the semester. All my assignments have been handed in which means I can finally look forward to Christmas after the last month and a half of stress.

2 nights ago we decided to have a student Christmas dinner which was the perfect start to the festive season. At first, going for a carvery was on the mind but because our student house looks all Christmassy, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to cook a Christmas dinner (I'd never even cooked a Sunday dinner, never mind a Christmas dinner!)

DEADLINES

November and December means deadline central to most, if not all, University students.

Within the last 3 weeks, I have had 2 exams as well as 3 assignments to do. But oh no, it doesn't stop there. There are 2 more weeks of this semester left yet I have 2 more assignments to do and another exam. Fun times for me (and it's not even exam period yet!).

This means my stress levels are quite high. The first thing that comes into my mind when I'm stressed is alcohol (I'm sure other students will agree - I'm not an alcoholic I promise!) A night out with the girls last night was the perfect remedy to my stress, having a drink or two (or maybe six), letting my hair down as well having a good jig and a singalong is exactly what I needed to take my mind off things, even if it was for just a few short hours.

NO MONEY NOVEMBER

As the title of this post suggests, it's November and I am running out of money, fast! With over a month until my next student loan enters my bank account and with no job, I am lucky enough to have amazing parents who give me a weekly allowance.

Every student knows that as soon as their student loan is put into their bank account, it is time to go crazy with money. Partying, takeaways and buying useless things you'll never end up using is all part of the experience. 

THE VERY BEGINNING

University isn't just about education and getting a degree out of it; it is a life changing experience. After completing my first year of University with a respectable 2:1 (which I was surprised at with the lack of work I did and motivation I had), I learnt how hard yet rewarding, stressful yet fun, University life can be.

All University students will tell you to make the most of first year and boy I did that. After moving just over 130 miles away to live in Newcastle from my hometown of Sheffield, I finally felt free of my parents after living under their rules for 18 years. Now it was my time to fully embrace life.

My first year of University was a very stereotypical experience; meeting new people (and I met a lot!) and partying as well as surviving on pasta and other basic cheap food. Of course there were ups and downs (mainly ups!) but it was without doubt the best, most eventful year of my life so far.

Moving to Newcastle meant a fresh start; a new city, new people and a new way of life (which turned out to be very different than what I expected). Although for the most part I love student life, there is the odd bump in the road. I have therefore decided to share my experiences of my University life for you to hopefully appreciate and love as much as I do.