First, apologies for how text-heavy this post will be. For the topic of this post, there aren't many images that will suit it... so have a collage of a few of my fave photo's from this past year.
What better way to give my advice on many topics that arise when the subject of uni comes up than to write about it on here.
I'm sure many of you out there will be thinking of uni or are currently at university so you might be able to agree on some things with me.
SO, where to start eh??
My first post of the 5-part series is...
Homesickness.
Maybe, the biggest and most scariest one... just to get it out the way.
Now, I want to quickly just say that I'm giving my own personal experience with first year. In no way does this mean it happens in this way for everyone. Everyone is different and handles things differently, that's what makes us unique.
For me, it was a bit of a rollercoaster ride.
The day I got to my accommodation and my parents left me in my grey room, I balled my eyes out. Within the hour, my new flatmates had knocked on my door, pulled me out of my slump and had me drinking. I was completely fine after that.
I hated going home on the holidays because I just wanted to be with my uni friends and have the independence that you don't get as much at home (even though I did love the home-cooked meals). Christmas holidays,which are about three weeks, were the longest three weeks of my life.
It was until the middle of Spring term (so January until April'ish) that I started feeling about down.
I couldn't wait to get home for Easter, but yet again, once I did get home I wanted to be back. It was a never-ending cycle aha!
The last term was a busy one so everyone was doing work or revising. One of my flatmates does the same course as me so we helped each other out. Our course finished two weeks before anyone else because we didn't have exams, it is all coursework based. My parents gave me a date for when she wanted me to come home (they were supporting me whilst i was there so obviously it would be cheaper for them if I came home). I was gutted because it was waaaay earlier than everyone else but in the end it worked out for the best.
Those two weeks, emotion-wise, were the worst two weeks ever. I wanted to get home to see my family so so bad, and I found it worse because I was bored and had nothing to do.
So here are a few things that may help if you do get there and can't seem to shake the feeling of home:
- The biggest thing, which was a bit of a hinderance at the time, that helped me get through the year were the nightly phone calls from my mum. Some nights they lasted literally two minutes, but hearing her voice, as soppy as I sound, made any 'down feelings' go away.
- Another thing, do no be afraid to go home at the weekends. I hardly went home other than the holidays, mainly because it is a bit of trek, but also I was scared of missing out. You have to remember, so what if you miss a night out, there will be plenty more in the year.
- Visit you friends from home. Sometimes you don't miss you family, but your best friends. It is such a huge jump from seeing them every single day to only a few time a year. I visited my friends at uni and I loved seeing them and seeing how they were getting on.
That was my experience. Unfortunately, the year didn't end as happy as it started, but that doesn't change how amazing it really was.
I am so so excited for September...
SECOND YEAR COME AT ME!!!
How was your uni experience?
Did you experience any major homesickness?
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