I previously mentioned that coming to University was an escape and a chance to figure out where I want to be and to expand and practice my skills more. I can't begin to explain how much I have changed as a person firstly, the confidence I now have compared to one year ago is unbelievable and I never imagined I would be in the position I am now. Self confidence was a big issue for me before coming to university but the moment I received an email confirming my place at Southampton Solent I cried happy and sad tears. Happy because I knew I had what it takes to be a student here and sad because I didn't think I would make it, I thought I would fall at the last hurdle and not end up going all because of my low self confidence. Fast forward to the 17th September 2014 and I am stood in a small room I will be calling home for the next year watching my grandparents from the window as they left and I sat there and cried because I wanted to go home but something inside of me wouldn't let me get in my car and leave.
The first day I went to class I met some amazing people and tutors who made me feel at ease and its thanks to those people mainly Sharon, Lottie, Teri Wheeler and Georgina Clayton that I came back the next day. The next couple of weeks were very difficult for me, My cousin Ben was critically ill in hospital and I got the devastating news he had passed away meaning I needed to go home for a couple of weeks, something I thought would ruin my first year and I would have to do it all over again. When I was home I continued to do my blogging and I was determined I was not going to fail and I didn't. I got back to University after 3 weeks I slotted right back in and I continued with my studies, Those initial weeks living alone in Southampton and not having a support network close and those 3 weeks I had to go home changed me, I suddenly had confidence in myself and my abilities. I knew I was doing the right thing for me.
My studies during the first year were challenging. I found so many aspects difficult and I tried my hardest not to give up and sometimes I did and the failure I felt made me even more passionate to try again and some times that passion enabled me to complete things I initially failed at!
One major difficulty I had was Hair Styling. I always struggle with hair and I even struggle with my own hair which is probably why I got so annoyed and angry during class when I failed time and time again it wasn't until Lottie explained to me that if I carried on while I was frustrated that I would always fail, I would always get frustrated with hair styling because I had never enjoyed it. She told me that the moment I start feeling any anger or frustration towards a task to stop, take a breather and start again and it really worked even if it did take till semester 2! I finally started to understand hair, not enough to take it as an option but I started to make progress, my curls were improving, my up-do's and historic hair styles were better which I am really happy about, However I believe I still need to practice more which is why I hope we can concentrate on hair styling a little during the next academic year!
Days out visiting buildings, galleries and museums are a hobby of mine but due to my slightly embarrassing fear of public transport I was unable to participate on trips to London, Paris and the exciting trip this year and my absolute dream... NYC. I am so gutted I couldn't experience all the things other students did but I have tried to make up for it by going on as many trips to different places this summer. I plan to get help on my fear this year and hopefully I can celebrate with a weekend trip to Paris or Milan next summer, this is a major thing for me and I really want to conquer it this year! This is also an area I found surprisingly inspiring. During a project I had to look at Architecture and I was so astounded by how much I LOVED it and sad that I have actually experienced some great architecture but never fully appreciated it but never the less I now open my eyes to the wider world and find so many things inspiring and I have truly enriched my life after one year at University.
Overall, I am so pleased I passed my first year with some fantastic grades. I only gained one A BUT I am OK with that, It means I have room for improvement academically and I love learning so this is another self goal. I want to achieve at least 3 A's this year particularly in Editorial Writing.
No comments:
Post a Comment