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Friday, March 16, 2018

Starting University



Three weeks ago, I officially started Uni. I was planning on writing this post after my first week of classes but since I was feeling a little uncertain about things, thought I'd give myself a few more weeks to find my feet. For just a little bit of context, I'm staying at home for my first year, studying at a design school in the city and hoping to major in graphic design. I'm really enjoying my classes and the work involved however this is only a newfound feeling. When I first started out, I didn't feel the least bit optimistic about design school. In fact, I even doubted whether Uni was right for me. 

Looking back I think that had to do with the fact that I felt quite alone during that first week of classes. Going into Uni, I didn't really know anyone. All my high school friends had either moved away or taken a year off to work or study abroad. I'm really happy with the institute that I'm at but during that first week of classes, I felt so out of place. After spending five years at high school, I was so used to getting assignments where the teachers were very clear on what they wanted and how they wanted it. I was used to being surrounded by the same group of people six hours a day, five days a week. Uni is very different. I expected this much but that doesn't mean that it still didn't throw me off a little bit. There's so much freedom and artistic license at design school. You're encouraged to interpret the assessments in your own unique way. As well as this, getting fully accustomed with every person in your class is almost impossible. There are so many people and when you're only seeing them once or twice a week, that doesn't leave much time to properly get to know them. Everything was just so overwhelmingly unfamiliar and the fact that I didn't know anyone prior to starting Uni made me feel even more lost and confused. I now know that many of my fellow classmates were in a similar situation to me however during those first few days where I had little to no interaction with anyone, it felt like I was the only one feeling this way. 

Three weeks in, I'd say I'm in a much more positive headspace now. I know the hardest part of the transition from high school to uni is over and I've begun to look forward to the rest of year and what's to come. I almost feel silly for ever thinking I was alone in feeling alone. I've been able to connect with a couple of people from my classes and instead of focusing on getting to know everyone, I'm going to work on getting to know a few people really well instead. Did you feel a similar way during your first few weeks of Uni? How long did it take you to get settled? I know that's everybody's different so I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading!


28 comments:

  1. I actually start uni next year, but I find these kinds of posts really interesting as I'm still so unsure and nervous about everything.
    Aleeha xXx
    http://www.halesaaw.co.uk/

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    1. Ooh, exciting! Good luck with everything! I'm sure everything will fall into place soon. You'll figure it out, no doubt. :-) AnnieChanie

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  2. I might be starting Uni in September but my head is all over the place about it and im so stressed!

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    1. Oh no, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling stressed. Starting Uni can definitely be a challenging time in any person's life but everything will turn out fine, I promise! Don't worry, it'll all work out! :-) AnnieChanie

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  3. I'm glad it all worked out. I was the exact same when i started my first year of college in September but now I could never imagine my college life without the people I know. xox


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    1. That's so nice to hear! Thank you for your comment Larayeeb. You have no idea how much comfort it brought me. :-) AnnieChanie

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  4. I’m on my fourth year of university so I can totally understand this! I found university so hard to begin with but it gradually got easier and myheadspace was much more positive after the first term x

    Kayleigh Zara 🌿
    www.kayleighzaraa.com


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    1. Thank you so much Kayleigh. Wow, fourth year! Good luck with all your studies. :-) AnnieChanie

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  5. I'm just finding up my 3rd year at university and what you're feeling is normal - in fact, I'd even say at any point in your university experience, if you were to experience these feelings again, it is still normal! I relived some of these feelings again this year even though I would say in your third year you would think you'd be more settled, and have more of a routine with work and friends. But honestly, it's ever changing, even when you're going to the same classes, same place and see the same people every day - it's an emotional and tough journey, but worth it. Have fun with it 💖

    astrobeks.wordpress.com

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    1. Your comment is so lovely Rebecca! I really needed to hear this. I'll definitely keep that in mind as I continue my University experience. You're completely right. It's going to have its ups and downs but by the end of it, I'll have some amazing memories to take away. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I will! :-) AnnieChanie

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  6. I finished university a year and a half ago now. It seems so far away! Starting uni even further away! i remember that i was a bit scared but at the same time ready for something new! moving abroad to new zealand was a much bigger challenge for me though! xx corinne

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    1. Wow, that's so cool that you came to New Zealand! That'd have definitely been a big adjustment! Thank you so much for commenting Corinne! :-) AnnieChanie

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  7. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better about it now! I felt really uneasy during my first few weeks of uni because I didn't seem to be enjoying my course as much as my peers did. I made some incredible friends though! Enjoy every second you can! x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Sophie! That's great advice! I will! :-) AnnieChanie

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  8. Congratulations on starting university! Glad you're enjoying your classes so far. I enjoyed going to uni more than highschool, and I'm sure you'll meet some great people along the way. Sending you lots of good vibes to power through your degree! My primary focus when I started uni was to get good grades; good friends can follow after settling in :)!

    exquisitely.me

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    1. Aw, thank you so much! I appreciate the good vibes! I'll make sure to remember that. That's very true! :-) AnnieChanie

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  9. I'm so glad to hear that everything's worked out for you, the transition is never easy!

    Ashleigh | http://ashleighwrites.co.uk

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  10. I totally get this! I graduated last year but that first week is so scary. You don't know anyone but you have to remember, everyone is in the same boat. I'm glad you're feeling more positive and once you've found your little group of friends I'm sure you will feel far more comfortable. I made friends with 3 other girls in my first week and we stuck together for the 3 years we were at uni and we'll be friends for life now! Good luck with your studies <3

    Em ~ thisisemsworld.com

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    1. Aw, thank you for sharing such a sweet story. That's so lovely to hear! Definitely! I can feel some friendships building already. :-) AnnieChanie

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  11. Glad to hear you’ve settled in. Best of luck in your studies.

    Leann x
    https://arthritisfighterleann.com/2018/03/15/managing-my-fibromyalgia-during-pregnancy/

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment Leann! :-) AnnieChanie

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  12. It can take some time to settle but it will become the best time of your life! You will also make friends for life.

    www.mjw.wales

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  13. I’m still in high school but I’m curious about what life will be like in college. Right now, I just keep reminding myself that I have to first actually be accepted into college haha!! I think everything works out for the best though, like it seems to have done for you. Sounds like such a creative place!

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    1. Exactly! I'm sure that whatever happens, you'll find yourself in the right place. Thank you for commenting! :-) AnnieChanie

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  14. Congratulations on starting university! It's definitely a huge transition from the much more structured environment that was high school. You have a lot more freedom, but freedom comes with responsibilities, and you are free to fail classes and get kicked out if you don't keep yourself committed. But at the same time, it's probably one of the most fun times of your young adult life! I made friends in college that I'll hopefully keep for life, and learned a lot about myself and the world there. :) Hope you'll enjoy school! It's definitely a transition, but once you get used to it, you would ask yourself how you managed to do 8 hours straight of classes during high school!
    Hiro | http://twistedpaths.org

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    1. Thank you Hiro! I love your comment so much! You made some really good points! There is a lot of responsibility that comes with being a Uni student. Self discipline is so important. But of course you can't forget to have fun as well! Haha, I've already started asking myself that exact question! :-) AnnieChanie

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