As I moved out of my University bedroom for the last time, it occurred to me that I had never properly moved in. At the beginning of the year I had arranged things in a “temporary” state; I had things I wanted to move, and things to do before it looked perfect. And here I was, at the end of the year with all the “temporary” measures still in place. Why? Because subconsciously, I was ready to move out of Bristol before this year even started.
It’s not a remark on the city. In fact, I love the city of Bristol and if I could stay longer with the friends I’ve made and the places I love then I would. However, I have been sick and tired of being in University probably since mid-way through second year. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the renting contracts I was tied into and the fact that I hate giving up, I probably would have dropped out of University in the middle of second year. Uni can be fun, and some of the college stories you see in movies and TV shows are pretty true to life. I wouldn’t exchange this experience for the world, and I’m aware of how lucky I am. However, now that I have graduated, I can hold my hands up and say that a lot of it was pretty terrible. But that’s okay.
It ain't all sunshine and rainbows
I believe that over time I have developed the ability to approach life with a good balance of optimism and realism. I knew, going into University that it wasn’t going to be perfect – nothing ever is. However, I’m a lover of fresh starts and new experiences and University was a chance to do that whilst also honing my education.
I learnt an invaluable amount during my time at Uni, not simply through attaining my degree, but through living alone, making and losing friends, trying new extra-curriculars and starting this blog. I wouldn’t take my experience back for the world.
But if a magical genie gave me the chance to restart the last three years, go back to first year and do it all over again, would I take it?
Absolutely not.
You couldn’t pay me enough.
It's time to move on
Back in April, I was sat on the sofa with my flat mate. At this stage in the year we were both brain-fogged, dissertation-writing zombies who hadn’t seen sunlight in days and we had both reached the same conclusion: we were ready to leave this stage of our lives behind us.
University was fun, and the freedom you got was cool. The three years zoomed past and I feel like I just started. However, I’m more than ready to move on now. I’ve done this chunk of life, and now I get to go out and see what the world has for me.
I wouldn't take my University experience back...
It may seem like it, but this isn’t me moaning about my experience. I’m aware of how lucky I am to have been able to get an education like this. Yes, like I said, I wouldn’t redo the three years if somebody asked me to, but I wouldn’t take them back either. Amongst the tears and the deadlines and the terrible mental health, I also had some amazing moments for growth…
I made lifelong friends
If you’ve read some previous posts or follow me on social media, you’re probably aware that I have a rather large solid friendship group from home. The effortless stability of that group meant that I came to University with a somewhat picky approach to friends. Don’t get me wrong, I was friendly and approachable with everyone. However, knowing that I had such a solid group at home meant that I didn’t try to force my place in groups where I knew I didn’t belong. I knew that even if I ended up friendless I would be okay, so I only built solid friendships where I knew they were right for me.
This means that I am leaving University with a few people that I know I’ll keep in my life, regardless of our separate locations. Some are students, some are bloggers, but all are people that now hold a special place in my heart. And I thank University for bringing them into my life.
I got to really try with this blog
I started my blog with this tragic post in my first year of University. Back then, I had no idea what it would turn into or the community that I would meet, and I can most definitely say that my Uni experience would not be the same without it. However, I also don’t think that I would have stuck with it as well as I did if I had not been in University.
I don’t quite know how to explain it, but the added security of my degree gave me the chance to invest and grow with my blog. I never had the pressure of trying to make money from it, and I never had the guilt of feeling like I was wasting my time. It was something I did to productively distract from my degree work. Thinking of it as an addition to my degree somehow felt more reassuring, and took the pressure off of it. So I thank my degree for that.
I figured out my next steps
If I had left school at 18 and gone straight into work, I know for a fact that it wouldn;t have worked out well for me. Three years ago I was following a career path simply because it had a clear cut option. I had no real passion for it, I had no real love, and if I had actually persued it, it would have eaten me alive.
By going to University, I was able to explore my options through extra-curriculars and grow as a person, all whilst attaining a degree and increasing my career prospects. I’m not looking down on anyone who didn’t go to University at all – as it stands you’re probably ahead of me in the whole life game currently. However, I know that it personally wouldn’t have worked out for me. Now, I’m leaving University with a pretty solid idea of where I want to be and how I plan to get there. So I am incredibly thankful for that.
But I also won't miss it
Sappyness aside, I believe that when I look back at my time at University I won’t massively miss it. Yes, I will always remember and be grateful for what it brought me. But I will also remember the amount I had to work. I’ll remember the countless days I lay motionless in bed, with no energy to do anything. I’ll remember that even with my 7 hours of University a week, the work appeared never ending. Yes, I have left with a degree and some people and experiences that I will hold with me for life. But I don’t think I’ll have a panging nostalgia.
It was a thing that I did, I enjoyed at times, and I am entirely ready to move on from. And that’s okay.
So there you have it, my post graduation thoughts! I’m looking forward to this next stage of my life more than you could possibly know. Here’s to new beginnings and fun times exploring, and I hope that you’re ready to join me on the ride.
Let me know what you reckon the next year has planned for you!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
Congratulations on graduation! I know what you mean about college. It can have its moments. I like to think the good stuff (friends, memoroes) came with me !
Thank you! I reckon the good stuff will stay with me too!
Jas xx
I felt the exact same way after my degree in a sense – I did it, finished it and moved on – I never missed anything about the course or the people. In all honesty I was more fond of the memories I had made in my second student house than being at actual uni!
Yeah, I found that my best memories are in everything else!
I can completely understand this, there were so many points in my degree where I didn’t want to be here, it was so rough mentally and I worked full time throughout the entire degree too. Thanks for sharing x
Glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, I feel like Uni can be a really tough time.
Jas xx
University was the scariest and best decision I have ever made. Good post!
Thank you so much! Yeah, it can be quite daunting xx
Love how you were totally real about how you feel but highlighted the positives, too. While I currently don’t do what I went to college for – I don’t regret the experiences I had with it either.
Thank you! I felt it was best to be honest xx
Some experiences always seem better when you look back. For me, college was one of those. Sounds like you had a great time, though!
Thank you! xx