I recently graduated from
university (woohoo!) after 4 incredibly long years of studying, emotional
breakdowns and hangover-filled lectures. Most people are aware that I studied a
languages degree, with my language being French. When I was at college, I was dead-set
on doing a pharmacy degree. I took A levels in Chemistry, Biology, English
Literature and French so I had the options there to get me onto this degree
path- the week before our personal statement was due, I had a sudden change of
heart and instead applied for French and German Studies.
I’m not going to sit here and
bang on about how amazing my degree was, because in actual reality, I lost all
of the passion that I had for French about a year and a half into it. That isn’t
to say that I hated every minute of it; the contrary. There were certain
classes and certain lecturers that made the experience incredibly worthwhile
but as a whole, French wasn’t really for me and I think I would have been
better off doing something a little bit more creative. In the future I intend
on doing a masters in Comparative Literature and I definitely think that is
more up my street than French was.
I was incredibly lucky with
the friends I made on my course; the entire course was made up of people who
were likeminded and friendly and the vast majority of them I’d love to stay
friends with. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule but none so drastic
that it made the university experience difficult. My living arrangements
throughout were slightly more complex: in first year, I lived in a flat of 10
people, some of whom I got on with and others I didn’t. I lived with the same
people in second year and a little divide formed a few months in. I can
honestly say that the people I remained friends with out of my original “fresher’s”
house are amazing and I’m grateful for them. While we don’t see a lot of each
other anymore, which is a shame but I know that they’re there if I need a chat
and a catch-up. I also met my boyfriend in the first class I ever took at
university- he was (and I believe I was for him!) the first person on my course
that I spoke to at university. He was a fast worker as well, getting my phone
number and a coffee date within about 40 minutes of sitting next to me!!
I had a compulsory year
abroad included in my degree, which was definitely a life-changing opportunity
for me. I chose to teach English in a small town close to Strasbourg and it was
honestly the best decision that I made over the course of those four years. The
city of Strasbourg is beautiful beyond words and comprehension and if I had the
opportunity to live there, with all of my friends and family, then I probably
would jump on it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, I’m very much a home girl and
rely too heavily on those around me so I wouldn’t be brave enough to make the
leap and move out there by myself. Maybe one day, eh.
In my final year of
university, I lived with course mates and it was definitely a much more
structured and peaceful experience. We all had similar classes and timetables,
which made the balance between socialising and work much easier to navigate. We’ve
all gone off to do our own things now – one of the girls even moved back to
France after graduation – but I’m hoping that these lovely girls will be
friends for life now.
In all, my experience at university was a positive one. I just wish I’d studied something I was more passionate about as I definitely think I’d have achieved more. I came out of my degree with a 2:1, which I was very happy with, all things considered. I’m excited to see what the future holds for me and how I’ll put my degree to use in the coming months and years.
In all, my experience at university was a positive one. I just wish I’d studied something I was more passionate about as I definitely think I’d have achieved more. I came out of my degree with a 2:1, which I was very happy with, all things considered. I’m excited to see what the future holds for me and how I’ll put my degree to use in the coming months and years.
