The Freshers Review

The build up to results day will forever be one of the most stressful times, but it suddenly all becomes worth it when you receive the place you have been waiting and dreaming of. I was lucky enough to gain a place at my top choice of university, which means that at the end of September I was off!

Nothing could ever prepare me for the whirlwind that was my first day, and almost a year on I can still remember exactly how I felt, the rush of every kind of emotion. More than anything it was the feeling that this was the place and these were the people that I was about to embark a whole new chapter of my life with. And my advice would be hold onto every second in that first week because those are the memories you will cherish.

On our last night of first week!

It couldn't be more true when they say that university is the time to meet new and exciting people like you've never done before. For me this is what I will always be grateful for, the people and the friends I have made this year. Without some of these people my first year would have been extremely lonely and dull, and I wouldn't be the person I am today.

For me the place that made this all possible was my halls of residence, and for me choosing to live in halls was one of the best decisions I made. My hall became my home from home, a small bubble in which everyone inside became part of this amazing community. Whether this be chilling out on 'the quad' or having Made in Chelsea viewing parties in the JCR or simply queuing with our trays for the awful canteen food at dinner, hall life was the best part of freshers.

My favourite girlfriends

Once you have got to grips with the people and the place then is when the actual study begins, and for me this was to dive into the past, as I am now undertaking a History degree. Whatever it is you study, it is important to manage that work-play balance, which as an 18 year old with a whole new sense of freedom it is often difficult to maintain, I will have to be the first to admit. And whilst those 9am lectures becomes an increasing struggle when you are lying in bed, potentially slightly fragile from the night before, something has to make that £9000 a year worth it!

It would not be a full review of this year if I didn't talk about how along with all the amazing highs, there are also the
lows. And for many this often comes in the form of homesickness. For me, and I'm sure for many others, moving out and into university is the first time living away from home and that can be a real shock to the system. Though I would like to believe I am fairly independent, it would be a lie to say that there weren't times that all I wanted was to be with my family and friends, and just to be in the safety net that is home.

Night out the crew!

I believe that rather than pining over what you miss about home and your old life, it is important to embrace the life you have now. And for me a way I love to do this is by going out with my friends. I have had some of the best times of life on some nights out at uni, and to me it presents the perfect opportunity to consolidate the relationships you are building with people.

Among these people you are meeting brings the potential to make relationships of all kinds. And whilst I may not have finished freshers with my prince charming on my arm, it has given me new experiences and truly opened my eyes to the complicated world of boys and dating.

All of this being said, once the friendships have been made, the tequila has been drank and the dating drama has subsided, exam season suddenly dawns. What is important to remember is that, if you are fortunate as I was, is that first year doesn't actually count towards your overall degree grade. So the way I saw freshers was as a trial run to try new things, make mistakes, so that next year the real race can begin.

Festival at the end of term 

The stress of revision, the all nighters and the cram sessions will not last forever, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and that is the promise of the post exam freedom and fun. For me, my last few weeks of uni was when I truly came to appreciate and have time to look back over the year I had and thank every one of my lucky stars at how happy I was.

Just like that first year is over, you made it, I made it! Freshers is complete and I can honestly say it was the best year of my life so far, and to anyone who was a part of it I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And thank you for reading, until next time, B xxx

Best year with the best friends