Not the best start
I’d had the worst possible year when I got to Lancaster in September. A friend had died, two of my friends' dads had died, my two best friends had lost their grandfathers, my dog had died, and then my cat, and I had glandular fever throughout the most important exams of my life. Then, to top it off, three days before I moved out and five days before my birthday, my grandmother died. The last experience really shook me and I still haven't accepted it. My grandmother was a lot more involved in my life than most people's grandparents because my mum is divorced. On the whole, I had a pretty poor start to my uni career, but not a common one I’m pleased to say.
So I didn't experience a lot of Freshers' week and haven't gone out all that much, but I don't feel that I've missed out all that much. Even being a miserable sod and really unsociable most of the time hasn't stopped me making great friends who are there for me when I need them.
So this is a piece of advice to anyone who has hard times before, or just after, going to uni. Stick with it. Yes, it was hard - on me and my family - but it's no use being at home, doing nothing all day. At most universities, certainly at Lancaster, there's a counselling service you can talk to if you need to. I haven't made use of this, but I did cry all over the college administration officer and three leaders in the chaplaincy center, among others. I felt like an idiot but, as they say, it's better out than in.
And when I feel down and I miss my mum, I can always hop on a train to go home for the weekend to reclaim my bedroom from my little brother.
Last updated on: 11 February 2009