The first semester & lessons learnt!

So I'm nearing the end of my first semester at university, so I thought why not share the lessons I've learnt with you. So looking back 4 months ago just before my university journey began I was scared. I didn't know if I had made the right decisions, whether I could cope being so far away from my friends, family & boyfriend.. and believe it not my animals. I didn't know if I'd settle in at my new job. I didn't know whether I'd cope with the cooking my own meals day in and day out with the load of washing that came with it. I didn't even know if I had picked the right course after a quite stressful day of results. I didn't know if I'd even have enough money to support myself or that I'd even make friends. However I didn't need to be scared. Although this first semester hasn't been easy and there has been times where I wish I could have just been home in a full time job, but chasing your dreams is never meant to be easy. This first semester has tested me, but growing up can be a test in itself. But I know at the end it'll all be worth it and there will be countless experiences I could have never had if I just stayed home and picked the easy path. So here are the lessons I've learnt..

- Home. It's okay to miss home and always be grateful for the family that you have because being away from them truly shows how much they mean to you.

- Parents. When you have fantastic parents like mine, don't forget to show them! I can't even begin to explain how supportive mine have been from such a distance, but it means everything to me because the days where I just wanted one of my dads cuddles or one of my mums hot water bottles and hot chocolates they were there at the end of the phone or Ipad! Technology is brilliant.

- Love. If you truly love someone and they mean everything to you a distant relationship will work. It's no walk in the park but it's worth every step of the way and when you see that person, it's hard to hold the excitement.

- Friends. I miss them like crazy. But I'm happy for them and whatever they're all doing. The real ones will stick around and still play a part in your life, the others well they might not always be there when you get home. However that's okay! No one needs someone who doesn't need them.

- New friends. I've actually got the best little group of friends here & I cannot wait to make some amazing memories with them. From our takeaway nights to our games of monopoly or our came blinds mans bluff! They truly are keepers.

- The new job. Well. That didn't go as well as planned after all the effort I put in to get it, however it's given me a bit of money to just about keep me on my toes and it's definitely been an experience. Hopefully the new year may bring me new experiences in a new work place with a bit of luck. However although I don't always love it, I have met some genuine people there!

- Living. So halls has been an experience. I've made a couple friends in my flat, however it massively let me down! I have learnt City university's are not good for accommodation which is really important! I live with four other people, three I speak to and one who well you probably know I dislike but lets not ruin this and go there. I've learnt patience and that rota's do work. So when I come back from christmas I hope they're ready for my bin rota again! ahhaha. I may look like the worst house mate, but no one wants to live in dirt, do they? Please tell me if I'm wrong here.

Money money money. It's scary when you realise you only have 4.60 in your back account and it's only half way through the month but with the help of an over draft you'll be okay I promise, just remember to only spend when you truly have to. However with christmas it's pretty hard especially for me, I still want to spoil the ones I care about! So thank you Santander!

The course. Well the course it's self hasn't been too difficult at the moment, covering a lot of stuff I studied at a-level so that's beneficial for me. Not all lectures have my whole attention but lets remember if you're sat in a room full of people and you've been awake for an hour and picked bed over breakfast it's pretty hard to concentrate on anything for two hours straight. But on an honest note i'm enjoying most of the course and met some lovely people. Looking forward to getting my grades back for my first three assignments! AHHH.

So I've learnt a lot in the past three/four months. However I am very excited to be going home to see everyone!! It'll be a great Christmas holiday! It's true how much you begin to appreciate things when they're not so easy to reach. So that's it for my first semester of university and here's to a great academic year to come.

Believe in yourself, because you can do whatever you set your heart on.