Since my graduation last week, I've been spending a lot of time mulling over life as a newly-qualified graduate, and what that means for me. Although I have so much ahead of me to look forward to (more on that later), part of me is still sad to be saying goodbye to university. As cliched as it sounds, I've had the best three years of my life at Exeter, and leaving all that behind is difficult.
However, as Dr. Seuss famously said (and was since over-quoted by millions of pre-teens on Instagram), 'don't cry because it's over - smile because it happened'. I was so lucky to have the most positive uni experience I could ever have hoped for, and although it is sad to be leaving, I can't be too sad because the time I've spent here has been unforgettable, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
So with that in mind, interspersed with a few pictures from my own graduation, I've decided to make this piece a little reflection on those years, and a letter of advice to those younger than me who may still have this time ahead of them.
1. Be brave
There's no denying that starting university is a scary time. You're going to be thrown completely out of your comfort zone, but that's a good thing because that's where you will grow and learn more about yourself, as corny as that sounds.
In my first year, I really had to force myself to be brave and put myself out there a lot more than felt natural to me, but that's how you make the best experiences. For example, one of the highlights of university for me was being so involved in the student newspaper, but in order for that to happen I had to put myself out there, talk to people in older years who I didn't know, and try my hand at writing articles for the first time (a daunting prospect!).
Looking back, I'm so glad that I made myself take those first steps, because some of my best friends at uni are people I met through the paper, and my future career has even been shaped by my involvement with it! So as scary as it may seem, try your best to put yourself out there - join that new club or introduce yourself to someone new - you never know what might come of it.
In my first year, I really had to force myself to be brave and put myself out there a lot more than felt natural to me, but that's how you make the best experiences. For example, one of the highlights of university for me was being so involved in the student newspaper, but in order for that to happen I had to put myself out there, talk to people in older years who I didn't know, and try my hand at writing articles for the first time (a daunting prospect!).
Looking back, I'm so glad that I made myself take those first steps, because some of my best friends at uni are people I met through the paper, and my future career has even been shaped by my involvement with it! So as scary as it may seem, try your best to put yourself out there - join that new club or introduce yourself to someone new - you never know what might come of it.
2. Try your hand at anything and everything
Something so amazing about university is that you can literally do anything you want to do, at any time. Feel like writing a play? You can do it. Want to try a new sport or join a band? You can do it. Fancy learning how to be a radio presenter or trying your hand at student journalism? You can do it.
Without sounding too much like a prospectus, university is a place where so much is possible, and it's so important to make the most of every opportunity that's thrown your way. During my time at Exeter, I wrote for and edited the student newspaper, directed a play, presented a radio show, joined a campaign team, helped lead a committee, took up Zumba, teched a show, and way more. Sometimes I would worry that I wasn't involved enough in theatre stuff, or that I'd regret not having my own radio show, but whenever I felt that way I made myself go out and do it. The opportunities are quite literally endless, so make the most of them.
Without sounding too much like a prospectus, university is a place where so much is possible, and it's so important to make the most of every opportunity that's thrown your way. During my time at Exeter, I wrote for and edited the student newspaper, directed a play, presented a radio show, joined a campaign team, helped lead a committee, took up Zumba, teched a show, and way more. Sometimes I would worry that I wasn't involved enough in theatre stuff, or that I'd regret not having my own radio show, but whenever I felt that way I made myself go out and do it. The opportunities are quite literally endless, so make the most of them.
3. Work hard - but play hard too
I'm not going to try and sugar-coat it: university is hard work, especially if you want to do well (which I very much did want). With my degree, there was an awful lot of reading (at least one or two books a week to read, as well as secondary reading on top of that) for the English side, and in the lead-up to Drama practical assessments it wouldn't be rare to find ourselves spending all day every day in the studio. I'm so lucky that I loved my course, but it is important to work hard to get the most out of the experience that you can. Plus, walking away with a first class degree isn't such a bad feeling...
That said, I do regret not allowing myself to have a little bit more fun - in first year especially. At most universities, first year is seen as a bit of a 'foundation year' in that the grades you receive don't actually count towards your final degree mark. Now, I'm quite a conscientious student, meaning that I did spend a lot of first year doing as much of the reading as I possibly could, and spending two weeks on essays (way more time than I'd spend on them in third year when I was juggling multiple deadlines!). While this was probably great in building up my skill set ready for the transition to second and third year, I wonder if I should have allowed myself to let loose a little more, and really enjoy being a Fresher. That's not to say that you can't have fun as a second or even a third year (believe me, you can), as it is super important to reward all of your hard work.
That said, I do regret not allowing myself to have a little bit more fun - in first year especially. At most universities, first year is seen as a bit of a 'foundation year' in that the grades you receive don't actually count towards your final degree mark. Now, I'm quite a conscientious student, meaning that I did spend a lot of first year doing as much of the reading as I possibly could, and spending two weeks on essays (way more time than I'd spend on them in third year when I was juggling multiple deadlines!). While this was probably great in building up my skill set ready for the transition to second and third year, I wonder if I should have allowed myself to let loose a little more, and really enjoy being a Fresher. That's not to say that you can't have fun as a second or even a third year (believe me, you can), as it is super important to reward all of your hard work.
4. Remember that everyone is in the same boat
When you first arrive at university, you're immediately thrown into a completely new environment. You won't know the city and, if you're like me, you won't know anybody else from home who's going to the same place. It definitely is scary, but it's important to remember that everyone is in the same boat. No matter what how cool and put-together those people down the hall from you may seem, chances are they're just as nervous as you are. So with that in mind, try your best to chat to anyone and everyone, and don't let yourself feel too intimidated by other people. At the end of the day, you're all in this scary uni thing together.
5. Explore your city
It's so easy to become immersed in the university bubble and live between your bed, the lecture hall and the nightclub in town, but one of the most exciting things about moving somewhere new is having the opportunity to explore somewhere completely different. Remember to take time out from sleeping, studying and clubbing to have a look around, even if it's just trying out an independent cafe you've never been to before. The UK is absolutely beautiful, and to have the opportunity to explore a new area is really exciting (especially when you're living independently), so be sure to make the most of it!
6. Be yourself
When I first moved to uni, I had never been to a club in my life. I moved away from Guernsey when I was sixteen, and in Dubai the drinking age is twenty-one, so you can imagine how overwhelming I found it to be thrown into an environment filled with people who were going out every night! Luckily, not everyone is like that (despite what the uni stereotype may tell you), and I soon found friends who, like me, enjoyed a night in with a hot chocolate and High School Musical just as much as a night at the club. The most important thing is to be yourself, and not to feel pressured into doing anything that you don't want to. One of the great things about uni is that there are so many people, and they're all so different, so as long as you're true to yourself, like-minded people will gravitate towards you.
That's pretty much all from me for now, but for those who may be going to university in September all I can say is make the absolute most of it! My three years at Exeter was the best time of my life so far, and I'm so jealous of all those who have it still ahead of them.
That said, there are plenty of exciting things on the horizon for me post-graduation (so keep your eyes peeled for updates soon) - and I'm so grateful to Exeter for helping me to make it here. #bleedgreen
