Thoughts on the First Year of University

"If you organise your life around your passion, you can turn your passion into your story and then turn your story into something bigger - something that matters." - Blake Mycoskie.

When I applied for the Creative and Professional Writing course, I had no doubt that this was something I'd enjoy doing. Of course, I was a stressed human being since I was busy with A Levels and cramming revision notes into my easily stressed brain, but thinking about the modules the course offered made me look forward to uni.

Me being an easily stressed person, I would constantly worry on whether I'd pass my exams, or at least on whether I'd attain the exact amount of UCAS points in order to achieve my goal of getting accepted to uni (which didn't really help my stress...). Therefore, I was overjoyed when I received the text message telling me that everything I worked for, which seemed so unattainable, came into fruition. The most annoying thing was the fact that I was sick on Result's Day and had to drag my overly-tired body to school to grab my results...

I was pleasantly surprised, however, at how fast I seemed to adapt, especially with the workload given, when I stepped foot onto the university grounds and officially became a first year, or as they liked to call us: 'freshers'. (It was quite cute actually but I think I preferred the term 'first year' rather than 'freshers').

The first week of uni consisted of the Freshers' Fayre (where I signed up for like three societies lol) and getting to know my peers through multiple creative writing workshops, which was actually fun. I enjoyed reading my pieces to the people on my course and hearing their own stories - their feedback helped to improve my own writing, and I was able to be more conscious of my inclination to describe in long sentences whenever I wrote a short story for an assignment, or for pleasure. It helped me to determine how I wanted to portray my story, and I couldn't be any more grateful for their feedbacks ^.^

First year seemed to slap me in the face and then proceeded to run away like Sena from Eyeshield 21 (anime reference for those who are lost; search it up *wink wink*). That's how fast it went. I am still in shock that I'm no longer a first year. Like, where did the days go? Where did that nerve-wrecked Lindsey go? So much happened that I'm constantly blinking and wondering if I've just woken up from a stressful dream.

Stressful is the word to describe the first year of uni, but there were good memories too. I mean who gives us six assignments to do all due on the same day? Yeah, I still hold a grudge. Those were the most stressful moments of my life. But, hey, I survived and I'm proud of myself for that *cue incessant fist pumping towards the air*.

Commuting to uni also didn't really help, although I did start getting used to it as the days went by. Waking up worried whether I'd miss my train and ultimately miss my lecture or seminar was stressful too - why didn't I move out when I had the opportunity to? That would've also given me freedom from my semi-strict Asian parents. Plus, it would've been so much easier whenever I had to attend a 9 am lecture/seminar. Trust me, you don't want to wake up at 6 am for 2 days in a row, which doesn't sound bad but I'm really not a morning person.

My favourite module from the first semester was probably poetry. Gosh, I loved learning about poetry. I was introduced to Rupi Kaur and Instapoetry, which I now adore.

[inserts unashamed self promotion of her poetry]

Excuse the quality, I literally had to save this from my poetry account on Instagram, which will remain a secret haha.

Here's another one :)

From the second semester, my favourite module was Contemporary Style mainly because I had to produce two creative pieces, which resulted in a Snapchat story and a fan fiction about my favourite kpop group. I hate all the essay writing though. I don't think anyone likes writing essays. If you do, then, are you okay?

Overall, first year was stressful, like I said, but it will be an experience I will no doubt remember. I'll probably tell stories to my children (if I'm not a nun by then) about my university days if they ever think of going down this path. I've met so many nice people on my course that, for some, I've become close with, and also around the university, especially in the societies I've signed up for.

I'm grateful for this blessing of attending uni, and I'm so excited for second year already haha. I can't wait to get my hands on some screenwriting! I hope I survive the next two years :)

{#thoughts #university #firstyear #fresher}