At university, there are so many opportunities available to you that it can all become a little overwhelming at times. You're constantly bombarded by societies, careers opportunities, volunteering, and of course everything that you have to do on your course. So much to do and so little time!

I've tried my very best to throw myself into every opportunity that comes my way, because I've always been told that the university experience is what you make it. If you sit in your room all day then you're obviously going to have less fun than the person who is grabbing every opportunity that is thrust upon them with both hands. So I've been trying really hard to be that second person.

I've signed up to lots of societies, volunteering opportunities and even applied for different positions - some of which have been successful and some of which haven't. I will admit that it can be a bit disheartening when you don't succeed in what you are aiming for, but that's mainly what I want to think about today.

After a particular "failure" this weekend, when I didn't quite achieve something that I wanted to (I'll spare you the details so I don't have to embarrass myself), I was feeling rather downtrodden. I felt like a failure, like I should never try anything again because what's the point? It's not like I would ever succeed. These thoughts went round my head for quite a while, until I realised that I was actually being pretty pathetic.

So what if you fail? So what if you don't quite get where you wanted to be? So what if you make the biggest fool of yourself in front of every single person that you know? I can guarantee that you're still miles ahead of every single person who didn't even bother to try. By having the effort and the will to try, you are already one step closer to your goal. It's important not to look at mistakes and failures in such a negative light; all they really are are opportunities to learn. Better luck next time, really! Next time, you will be more prepared and will have learned from your mistakes to ensure that you don't make the same ones again.

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