If you're considering going to uni now or a few years in the future, please do read this, it might help :)
Moving away, learning, getting a degree, making friends for life. It's all far too exciting. But it's also pretty nerve-racking. I've been shopping today to buy things I'll need when I start uni, re-checking my list and making sure I don't forget anything. I start in 7 weeks which is ages but I like to be organised, that and the fact I'm bored and getting all excited for uni is something bored people tend to do. I've even set my own colour scheme (although you probably don't care) everything is cream with pastel colours: pale pinks, pale greens and pale blues. And it all looks so pretty and well, Ruth-like!
Anyway, that aside, here is a screenshot of the accommodation block I will be staying in:
But I guess there is no amount of buying bedding, kitchen utensils and extra underwear can really prepare anyone from moving away from the life they've always known to live in a strange place full of strangers and suddenly learn. Your choice is likely to affect your entire future, how do you know its the right decision?
I decided not to apply to university whilst I was at sixth form. I wasn't entirely sure what course to do and in all honesty looking back at myself this time last year, I wasn't quite ready to take that leap. I always had a feeling I'd like to go to York though, I went for an open day over two years ago and just fell in love with the place. The campus is beautiful and I honestly can't wait to live there. I guess its personal preference though. I like campus uni's, whereas many other people will be suited to other uni's. Anyway, in my first Year of college, I'd wanted to do psychology, but after my AS results (ABBC) I started having doubts, probably from the asking grades for the course, and because I didn't enjoy A2 psychology as much as AS. I'd remembered that, when choosing my A-levels, I was undecided whether or not to take art. I'd loved it at school, and I also see it as a massive hobby. I decided that I needed another year before committing to what course do study at university.
I also found my A-levels pretty stressful, as many people do, and I didn't want to pressure myself to have to get certain grades in order to meet a conditional offer. Having a year of doing something else was definitely the best decision. I went to CCAD (Cleveland College of Art & Design) to do a one-year art foundation course. I made some amazing friends and had an amazing time but also worked hard to achieve my qualification.
Having said that, I had already decided what I wanted to do before I started my art course. Before I'd even sat my final A-level exams, I realised how much I loved sociology, particularly the crime unit I was studying. It was my favourite subject and the one I seemed to be best at. I told myself not to overthink too much, because I knew that if I needed certain grades I'd be less likely to get them. So I just did my best. Then, on results day, I came home with my ABB grades, searched for the University of York and looked at the entry requirements for Sociology with Criminology. ABB.
I don't know if it was, luck, fate or pure determination that got me to that position, but one year on I am still 100% sure that all my decisions were the right ones to make for me, personally. But everyone is different. I don't know what my life will be like when I'm there, I don't know who I'll meet, how I'll feel or anything like that. But I know that I am ready to know.
My advice to anyone would be to never rush into anything. follow your heart. If you're not ready for university, don't go yet. If you're ready for uni but not ready to leave home, go to a uni nearby and stay living at home. Its your life, your choices. Just know that you might not realise it now, but if you follow your heart, every decision will be the right one.
Thank you for reading,
Ruth x
Labels: Student Life
