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.

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.