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Oliwia writes about the ups and downs of starting university

Posted 17th March 2022
by Oliwia

Starting university in September I didn’t think I could possibly be more prepared than I was. I was fortunate enough to be moving with a close friend of mine and therefore feeling lonely wasn’t an issue I was worried about - we weren’t going to be living together however close enough that I could always have company. We were both very excited to start this new adult life but the first week of moving definitely dragged us down to reality. I found myself feeling very lost and uneasy all the time. With Sheffield being such a large city, the smallest of tasks became a big chore and filled me and my friend both with homesickness – having to google map your way any time you leave the house left us feeling anxious. I was also starting a new job at the same time which unquestionably added to the feeling of intimidation by this move.
As unprepared as we both were to feel so negative it has definitely passed. I may still panic any time I have to get a bus or find a new place but I’m more than happy with my choice to move out of Hull and explore a new city. I’m pleased with where I am now and how my life is going and I’m enjoying my course quite a lot.

Now coming to the end of my first year I don’t regret anything. I do however tell people who ask me about university about the whole experience being very “positives and negatives”. If you’re reading this in college or whether you have just moved into your first accommodation – I want this post to be honest. Every week of being here I seemed to use the phrase “negatives and positives” and I found others agreed with me. You may not find new best friends in your first year, you may not like your flat mates, you may find the work hard or the timetable annoying, maybe you found out you’re bad at cooking or maybe it costs £5 for you to do your washing and it still comes out wet. These things can happen and you need to be prepared for them to happen because it’s not all positives. Luckily, it’s not all negatives, you may find great friends, eat new cuisines, go to music events, explore new places, spend nights laughing with people and days doing a course you love and are excited about. University for many and definitely for me is “I’m having the best and worst time of my life” but we don’t regret it because the positives can be worth the negatives.

JVenn helped me by giving me the opportunity to stay in an accommodation that suited me best. They gave me an opportunity to visit my family, who were in a vulnerable state, more often as I was able to afford the travel. They gave me an opportunity to not have to work long hours and therefore spend more time focusing on my assignments rather than stressing over a tight schedule. And most importantly they gave me an opportunity to start seeking help for my mental health – for that I’m very thankful.
- Oliwia

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