So it’s that time of year when my bloglovin and blogger
feeds are filled with blog posts about university and hyping it up in every
possible way. It’s an exciting change and I can see why there is so much noise
around it, however it makes me kind of cringe inside.
Here is why, so I’m not some anti uni type, I went to uni
and am glad I did but I wasn’t a great experience for me! I thought id share
it with you all, I hope it doesn’t come across as too negative as I’m a pretty
positive, happy person, I just feel like sharing my story with you all. I just
want to put it out there that uni isn’t for everyone and actually that’s okay!
I went to uni a couple of years later than most of my
friends as I took time out to go
travelling, on returning I felt I needed to be doing something productive and wasn’t
keen on returning home for full time work. Instead I applied to uni and got
into Bristol so off I headed. Just before I did, I was dumped out of the blue, I
was in a long term relationship head over heels in love and just didn’t see it
coming. I was heartbroken and a complete train wreck, some might think this was
perfect timing for a fresh start but I was a mess. This made enjoying the fresher’s
week and the likes pretty much impossible, my heart wasn’t in it and looking
back now it took me a very long time to get over it.
Also whilst at university I was a hormonal nightmare, I was
all over the shop and felt I had no control over my emotions. Turns out I had
an underactive thyroid which is basically a hormone, so when it’s not at the
right level like mine it can really play with. I actually thought I was a head
case at the time, imagine PMS times 1000. It made it hard to feel normal and level
headed. I didn’t get diagnosed with this until after uni but it’s nice to
understand why I was the way I was now!
Finally I applied for my course on a whim, I thought it was
what I wanted at the time but I ended up not enjoying it fully. The course I
studied was for a particular profession and was very intense. There were parts
of it that were fab but the rest I didn’t like at all. I came out with a 2:2 at
the end and am glad I stuck it out and got the qualification. I would be doing
what I am now without it.
I think it was just a lonely experience for me, I had some
wonderful friends there and they were amazing people. I just struggled and
never felt fully at home. I did have
some pretty fun times so it wasn’t all bad, in general I was very lucky, just
in hindsight it wasn't a high point in my life. Looking back (isn't it funny how it all becomes a little clearer then?!) I've also realised that I am a pretty creative person and that a life of academia massively stifled this, it also didn't help that I get bored quite easily, I constantly need to be challenged, Its how I thrive.
Saying all this I don’t regret going to university, I wouldn’t
have got my current job, or even be who I am now without that experience. I
genuinely don’t believe in regrets. I guess the purpose of me writing this post
is to say that University can be awesome but it’s not for everyone and can be
hard going if your hearts not in it.
I just want people to follow their hearts and know that
everything happens for a reason and contrary to all the hype out there at the
moment, uni isn’t the be all and end all! If one person reads this and can
relate then that’s why I’m writing this post, so people don’t feel alone. There
is so much hype about how amazing uni is and what an experiencee it is, I just
want people to know that it’s okay if you’re not enjoying it, if you find it
hard and it’s not all sparkles and glitter.
I apologise for the waffle and hope it makes sense? If nothing else, its been pretty therapeutic for me putting all this into words. Odd post for me hey! But I would love to hear about others
experiences of uni?
