Looking back on first year: Moving in

So the day had finally come when I was due to pack my belongings, to leave the security of my parents’ custody, to seek my fortune in the wide world, and to become a man.

Or at least, it felt something like that!

Having somehow got the results I needed to confirm my place at Southampton, I remember the days leading up to the start of University life were a bit of a haze: I’d been lucky enough to go abroad with some close school friends for a ‘one last hurrah’ trip of swimming, sunbathing and souvenir shopping, I’d visited countless household item shops comparing kitchen utensils and selecting my preferred plate and cutlery design, I’d packed everything I ‘might’ need (most of which I probably didn’t, but will still probably go back in September!) and all of a sudden the day of moving had come. It felt surreal getting into the car for the five-hour journey to Southampton, sensing butterflies aplenty; it was like I was, but simultaneously was nowhere near, ready for what was about to come. Uncertainty was in a titanic struggle with complete and utter excitement. Overall, I just wanted somebody to tell me what the heck was going to happen!

My first acting of the year: smiling for this camera! And yes, that is a lot of stuff!

I guess it’s something which everybody reacts to differently, but for me arrival day was equally as nerve-wracking as it was exciting. There were a million and one questions I was asking myself when I was dropped off at Montefiore halls of residence, Wessex Lane, armed with boxes, bags and bedding, that first day: Will I like my room? Will I enjoy my course? Will I get on with my flatmates? Will I be able to live independently? What am I actually going to DO each day?!

Plenty of people had told me beforehand not to worry, that it’d take a while to get used to things, and that I was going to have the time of my life. Although upon reflection I agree with them wholeheartedly (University’s amazing!), on that late September day the lack of definite answers made it quite difficult to convince myself! I think this was my first true test while living away from home for the first time; combating what I nicknamed ‘home on Monday syndrome’, where the surreal nature of the experience made the more permanent change feel like a temporary trip or holiday.

Some people may find they adapt to the new independent lifestyle straight away, others may take longer, but I just tried my best to persevere with growing into new responsibilities and, by keeping myself busy and learning from the many, many, many early mistakes I made (like accidentally leaving my milk on its side to leak over everyone’s fruit, or the ‘cooking’ in the photo below!), by the end of Freshers’ Week I was much more comfortable with looking after myself. So if you’re not sure about cooking, shopping, laundry, the Uni-Link bus system (which is very handy, particularly because residents of university halls get a free bus pass!), whatever, don’t feel afraid to learn through giving things a go – even if you mess up, you won’t be the first or last.

What I was meant to have for dinner on day three was Chicken Pie with Mashed Potato. What I ended up with for dinner on day three was Chicken Pie with Potato Lumps (I’ve since learnt the value of boiling potatoes for longer)!

Fortunately, the process of settling in was eased by my very understanding and friendly flatmates (who hopefully aren’t reading this!). Initially we discovered we were from vastly different courses, regions of the country and backgrounds (which was evident just from standing in the hallway and listening to everyone’s music!) but we quickly found lots to talk about, even if most of it was just trying to figure out what on earth to do and when we were supposed to do it (go grocery shopping, fill in various forms, register with the health service etc)! Together, we managed to work out most things and, if we were ever unsure, the University offered plenty of avenues for advice and support (such as the very helpful staff in the Student Services building on Highfield Campus). The occasion our microwave suffered an untimely death the third time we used it springs to mind; mourned particularly by the male members of the flat, whose package meals had to stay in the freezer, the receptionists at Montefiore were particularly helpful in arranging for it to be replaced quickly!

Half of the flat. One of the earliest occasions we needed fancy dress, but certainly not the last!

The prospect of your early days in Southampton can be daunting, and a universal adjustment in your way of living isn’t always easy to grasp straight away, but I think it’s all about giving yourself time to get used to your new circumstances and surroundings.  For me, my first week and term was a period of great discovery. I learned more in my first month here than during any other timespan in my life, so I’d encourage any incoming students to not to be afraid of the uncertainty that surrounds settling in, because the extent to which support is available, from each other and the University, is such that you’ll find a way to deal with any issue which might arise.

Welcome to the rest of your life!

PS. To those who have just finished their school exams: first things first, congratulations on completing them! Now, regardless of how they went, I’d recommend just putting them behind you and making the most of the summer – you deserve the rest!

Robin

A letter to my eighteen-year-old self

As my first post briefly explained, I have just moved out of my student house, finishing my undergraduate degree and therefore leaving the last three years of my life behind. I have only briefly touched upon this, and have not yet given my university experience enough justice. I want to look back on the last three years of my life through an open letter to my eighteen-year-old self, predicting what I will go through from 2009 to 2012 and what I may or may not have done differently. Some of you reading may be looking forward to three years of university, perhaps anticipating your A Level results or similar. I hope this gives you a good idea about what you have to look forward to. Enjoy!

Dear Me

You’ll be starting university three months from now, and I know you don’t know what to expect. You can’t imagine living away from home, taking care of yourself in an alien city, and having to make your way in a strange educational system. But I’m just about to graduate, and I have to tell you: it’s not as scary as you might think.

You will settle into your new flat straight away. Your flatmates will be the most important people in your life for years to come and you’ll end up living with them throughout your undergraduate career. The friendships you make will last, so don’t be scared to go up and talk to people. Have fun, relax and enjoy first year! It’s not the end of the world if you don’t get the hang of things straight away. I would advise you, however, to get involved in a society now, and don’t leave it until the end of your second year. Take that leap and join Theatre Group, because you’ll always wish you had done otherwise. Write that article for the Wessex Scene. You’ll develop a fondness for cheesy chips and burger sauce after a night out, and then realise how disgusting burger sauce is by the end of the year. Beware of the dry ice in Whitehouse. You will never go to Kaos, the club directly opposite your halls, despite constantly saying you will. Making tuna pasta bake really isn’t as hard as you think, and neither is casserole, really. And by the way, that hand-sewn elf costume for Christmas 2009 will be the best thing you’ve ever made… along with the spider costume for Halloween… and the time you went as the Ocean on an underwater-themed night out….

Flat 203 ready for the the Fresher’s UV Party, September 2009

Second year is not going to be as much of a change as you might expect. You still have time to have fun and chill out, and you’ll look back at it with real fondness, even if you’re not going out every other night like you used to. You’ll begin to realise that not every Monday night has to end with an evening in Bliss. Regular screenings of Don’t Tell the Bride and Million Pound Drop will brighten a quiet evening in, accompanied of course with tea and copious dark chocolate digestives. Don’t be scared to go up for Lifestyle Editor in May 2010: you’ll do a fine job, and the people you meet will make it all worth it. Trust me; you’ll grow to love that crumbling student house of yours with the awful garden and wonky sink. Just invest in a pair of thermals before third year – winter is cold when your parents aren’t paying for the heating!

Snow = cancelled lectures, a standard snowman in the back garden and five very excited 20-year-olds…. 

Third year is tough. Let’s face it, we all know it; you know it before you’ve even started university. There’ll be late night study sessions, moments of tears and frustration and many chocolate binges blamed on stress. The word ‘Dissertation’ will send shivers down your spine and make your hair stand on end. But you’ll graduate with a grade you never thought you’d get, you’ll write a great dissertation on American Poetry, and you’ll be elected as Deputy Editor alongside a fantastic new team for the magazine. The work is tough but you’ll come out still wanting to study more. Apply for your Masters with less hesitation. Third year doesn’t kill you, and you leave with a healthy addiction to How I Met Your Mother and a fondness for that run-down house you nearly cried at when you first moved in. You will cry when you move out though, as much as you try not to. But you’ll be ready to move on. Just about.

To my eighteen-year-old self: You are about to embark on the best three years so far. People say that all the time and it sounds stereotypical but you will come out of university hardly recognising the girl who moved into Flat 203 of Orion’s Point halls all that time ago. And that’s a good thing. You have so much ahead of you. If I could go back and do it all again, I really would. So go ahead and have the time of your life and do as much as you can. You won’t regret a thing.

…Just learn how to make a decent cup of tea, for the sake of all your housemates. Nobody likes a weak cuppa….

The original Flat 203 getting ready for Grad Ball, June 2012 – the end of an era!

Joanne

Where there is a will, there is a way….

It is indeed difficult to take a decision in life which affects you and more importantly the people around you and even more difficult is to stand by your decision. At times, when put to the test, even you feel a little jittery and not-so-sure about the consequences of your plans, but it is the “courage of conviction” that pulls you through these tough times and the manner in which you stand up to your conviction sets a benchmark for you in times to come.

The decision to come to the UK for my masters was not an easy one. The world is going through tough times and we are all bound to be affected by this. I distinctly remember the day I broke the news of my decision to come to the UK to my wife. At that moment, I had a few offers in hand but I was not sure where I would ultimately land. She just smiled and said that I should be sure of what I was doing and if I were sure enough then I should be ready for what lies ahead. Well, at the cost of deviating from this serious discussion, here I would like to talk a little about my wife. Being an introvert, she speaks little but always seems to talk sense – quite contrary to myself, a complete extrovert who loves to speak his mind. I have always wondered whether she speaks only when she is sure of what she means to say or is it the other way round and whenever she sees sense, she speaks. Well, I am still in the process of figuring that out in my life but do remain impressed at each and every occasion.

I got an opportunity to visit one of the UK education fairs in Mumbai a few weeks later as recommended by a friend. I was reluctant to go in the beginning as I was not very sure how much an education fair would help me in making my decision of choosing a university. By then, through numerous nights spent surfing over the internet about UK universities, I had a fair idea about the universities here and I can rightly say that I had done my homework beforehand.

Well, the sight of the fair was usual and nothing different from what I had expected – every university trying to sell itself in a bid to lure the prospective students. I spoke to representatives of a few universities and was rather disappointed not to find answers to my questions regarding the courses it had to offer and so on. All I could get to hear from them was some general information about the university and how easy or difficult it was to get an offer.

Interestingly though, I found the representative from the University of Southampton to be different. She not only answered all my queries but had a thorough insight into each and every course on offer. The University of Southampton was definitely on my list beforehand but the half an hour discussion with the International Officer not only helped me to make up my mind but also cleared all my doubts about the induction process. I would be failing in my duty if I do not express my sincere gratitude towards her for answering my numerous emails regarding various doubts I had and in such a helpful way. Well, I could sense the beginning of a journey already.

Every cloud has a silver lining

It was not long before I did get my unconditional offer and ATAS clearance required for my course. But I was yet to realise the most difficult part of the whole journey and that is securing a Tier 4 visa from the UK Border Agency. Well, I had heard numerous stories from friends and relatives about how agonizing it was to get a visa, so much so that I was scared to undergo all that myself. It was an arduous task to collect the whole list of documents – to satisfy any possible doubt that the visa officer might have. You need to prove that your father is your father, your mother is your mother, their money is theirs and the money in your account in the bank is yours. Well, by the time I ended up collecting all the documents, I was totally exhausted. On a lighter note, I feel that I worked harder to prove that my money was mine rather than in earning the money itself!


However, perseverance paid off and the long wait was over and I did get the visa a couple of weeks before the start date of my course. And throughout this process, I had the unconditional support of my expecting wife who took all my idiosyncrasies with a smile.

All set to embark on a new journey

Coincidentally, my wife’s due date coincided with the date of the beginning of my course. Despite my prayers, the doctor said that there were no signs of an earlier delivery and therefore, I had to make a call. Again, I would take this opportunity to thank the school office, for understanding my cause and issuing me the permission to join a week late after securing special permission from the faculty to enable me to be at my wife’s side during the arrival of our bundle of joy.

Well, on my flight to Southampton, I was very content and satisfied. I realised that the obstacles that get in the way only help you to strive harder to reach your goal. The path to the realisation of your dreams is a long and tricky one. But as they say, “Where there is a will, there is a way”.

Rohit

Please Miss, teach me something new?

So you’ve probably heard of the Isle of Wight Festival, but have you heard of The Times Festival of Education?

Perhaps not.

However, last weekend I wasn’t in a muddy field, I was at Wellington College listening to some of the most incredible and inspirational people in the field of education, and honestly, I learnt so much.

Okay, now bear with me, I know words such as ‘conference’ don’t conjure up great excitement, but stick with me and I promise I’ll try not to be so sombre. This great conference was set in the beautiful grounds of Wellington College, Berkshire, and there was something very impressive about listening to the value of Shakespeare and Facebook in a nineteenth century chapel. There was however also something quite ironic about the discussions on the relationship between poverty and educational attainment; for the vast complexities of social mobility were being battled out in a school which took fees above most family incomes. If we wanted to see educational inequality we only had to look around ourselves.

I digress… I do not wish to get into a large debate regarding the appropriateness of the setting or the sanctity of Public schools because, at the end of the day, I was grateful for Wellington College for hosting, plus there are far bigger things to focus on. For instance, the amazing efforts of Sutton Trust, Catch 22, Teach First and the work of every motivated and passionate teacher over the country. For these people embody all efforts to make the future greater, and I for one feel like I owe them so much. Now, without getting all heavy on you, it needs to be remembered that poor social mobility is not only morally repugnant but also economically disabling; if our educational system was better GDP would increase, it is as simple as that - we need, now more than ever, a generation of leaders and thinkers, a generation that shapes and moulds this world into a better place.

There was much debate over whether the education system was in crisis, and I must admit I had never thought about it fully, I thought I had, but the reality of it had never really touched home. I was incredibly lucky and went to a very good comprehensive school in the countryside, and for a long time I didn’t believe that educational inequality existed in the UK. The amazing and incredible work of some teachers and third sector organisations acted as a big learning curve. It took just one teacher to alight a love of English Literature in me; before her I studied the subject to please my parents and I could not wait to give it up. Now, I study it at University and adore it. The value of good teachers is immeasurable and I was definitely surrounded by them this weekend, in fact the amount of participants that were students seemed to be a mere handful. This is terribly sad, as what I saw and learnt will influence the amount of respect I have for the profession, the wealth of organisations and initiatives I know of, the graduate schemes I apply to, and most importantly the enormous challenges teachers face on a day-to-day basis with the ever growing animosity towards government ministers.

Now, whilst words such as ‘networking’ still generate genuine fear in me, it’s clear that at events like this it’s all a lot easier (in fact, it’s almost enjoyable). You have Google providing free cocktails and the odd amuse bouche, and at the end of the day you know that everyone has committed to be there because they are fiercely passionate about education; it is a level of devotion which made one of the audience members cry in anger whilst defending her school, and that sheer amount of dedication cannot but be respected. I have a massive fear over the stigma of teaching and the preconception of the role of teachers, because it seems to me to be one of the hardest, most important, challenging jobs out there. It is a profession that deserves a lot more respect than it seems to be given – these are not people who are colouring in with our children and basking in the long holidays, these are people who are teaching the next generation to read, to write, and to think. We’d all be lost without them.

Now, I must admit that this was a fairly unplanned post but I just hoped I could demonstrate that despite the word ‘conference’ seeming horribly grown up and dull, it really isn’t, (yet with all that in mind, I must admit I am still a fair way from getting a Linkedin Profile - thank God). I also wanted to give a little insight into the opportunities available if you get involved with societies, as that is exactly how I got my ticket. Either way, I do think education is pretty much the axis upon which our world turns, and so it whether you like it or not, education does affects you - it affects everyone by its sheer nature. 

Now, with all that seriousness behind us, I promise my next entry will be more light-hearted - get your Sainsbury Bags for Life ready, as next weekend I am moving house. 

Florence

First things first

Before I introduce myself, allow me to give you just one piece of advice; University is fleeting, make the most of it. Grab every opportunity you can, because trust me, there will never be so much on offer again.

This is the general rule I live by whilst at Southampton and it has proven to be immensely successful, I have engaged in such a variety of activities that the past two years have become a whirlwind of excitement and diversity. Every choice I make seems to open a door to a better future, making my time at Southampton far greater than anything I could ever have expected.

Okay, so now to introduce myself, my name is Florence and I am a second (going into third) year English Literature and Philosophy undergraduate. However, to be honest, that little snippet of information really doesn’t tell you much about me. University is so much more than what you study; it is about what societies you join, what causes you fight for, and the friends you make along the way.

My journey started with Floor 3, B Block, Montefiore halls of residence - a place of many wonders, and is without a doubt the only time in my life I’d ever get to share a flat with twenty other people, and I loved every moment of it. I was foolish (and perhaps somewhat insane) for I never actually attended a university open day. I had, literally, no expectations or prerequisites; I knew the city had an Ikea and a John Lewis, but I knew little else. Learning that twenty other students would be sharing my kitchen was somewhat terrifying, but living with that many people was the best I could ever have done. I recommend it so highly for I have never had so much fun; also, statistically you are so much more likely to find someone you get on with when your flat is that much bigger. I was one of those incredibly lucky people whose flat was filled with amazing individuals and I had such a blast.

Christmastime on floor 3 (that's me on the right)

The university intelligently compiled our flats, filling our corridor and the one below mainly with people who had also taken gap years and therefore it was natural for us all to unite in our shared interest of travelling. Where my university life began is so important to me; it is slightly unconventional, and people are shocked when I tell them how many people shared my flat, but it showed me the varied and the differing passions people share. In my second year I lived with people from that flat, and I will be doing the same in my final year – Montefiore seems to have served me well.

Unconventional living seemed to persist for me, as I spent half my second year on the Erasmus European exchange programme in Barcelona. This experience changed my life; I gained a type of happiness in that city I had never experienced before. As a consequence a fierce and unrestrained love for all things European started, a love affair I never wish to end.  

View over Barcelona

My time in Spain wasn’t always easy, and at times I was both daunted and scared and longed to be back home; I arrived in Spain homeless and with no knowledge of the language, and I see it as a testament to myself when I note how well I coped. I fell in love with Barcelona and all the people in it, in fact, I have only just returned from visiting my beautiful city again.

Something which is inevitable whilst on Erasmus is integration with amazing and talented international citizens, and becoming friends with these people really awoke me to the truth behind the saying: ‘The world is your oyster’. This became more than a motto for me; it taught me that there are no boundaries to what you want, as long as you work hard.  Consequently it fuelled a passion for other international events, for instance last year I was a journalist in Strasbourg for the Model European Union, whilst this year I am on the organising committee, arranging international funding for the European Union stimulation. The progression of this, and all my other passions, will feature in subsequent blogs – for example, I am also deeply engaged with the society Student Hubs, which is all about connecting students with causes, and because it is so awesome it might be a little difficult to get me to shut up about it.

I hope this first blog gives a little bit of an insight into the sorts of things you can expect to hear from me, I also hope you can appreciate the wealth of opportunities that is to be had whilst at university; I wish to demonstrate the variety of what can be done.  My experience has been unique and I constantly learn from my peers that surround me; no one is ever more inspiring than those who constantly push for what they want – university can give you everything you want, you just need to grab hold of it, and not waste a moment.

Florence

Landing

If somebody had told me nine short months ago that I was about to experience half the things that’ve followed my move from the North-West, I’d have thought them mad. But the other day, whilst packing away ticket stubs, textbooks, photos and other assorted paraphernalia I’d somehow collected over the year (some of which I should’ve thrown away, but it might be useful... one day... maybe... perhaps!) and preparing to move out of Montefiore Halls, I realised how brilliant a first year of life in Southampton I’d just had; if you’re landing in September, you have a lot to look forward to!

Moving the last of the bags from my ‘home from home’ – somehow seems too soon!

Thanks for checking out the blog! I’m Robin, and I’m studying Software Engineering at the University of Southampton, having just finished a frantic but hugely fun Freshers' year here which I spent getting stuck into my first ever taste of complete independence. I’ve dabbled in the domestic arts, like shopping, cooking and cleaning, tried to take advantage of the amazing social opportunities at university (particularly through the Students’ Union, “SUSU”), and attempted a challenging but rewarding course which already seems to have taught me a huge amount – or at the very least enough to entertain myself late into the evening coding crossword apps and the like!

When I’m not tapping away at the keyboard, I enjoy getting involved with the performing arts societies, namely the SUSU Theatre Group and SUSUtv station, hanging out with friends and flatmates, reading, gaming, procrastinating from doing something worthwhile or important, watching films and appreciating some good sports, mostly footy (which team? Why... erm... the mighty Southampton FC, of course!).

Nothing says ‘dedicated’ (or ‘student discount’!) like Southampton versus Ipswich on a cold Tuesday night!

I’m often asked why, given the distance between home and Southampton, I chose to come here – usually by my parents when they drive down to visit! Being so far away does present some difficulties – for example, I can’t just ‘pop home’ like many of my flatmates whenever I yearn for some home cooking or don’t fancy doing the laundry – but I reasoned that university usually comes at the time in life when, to learn how to take care of yourself, you have to be thrown in at the deep end and just do your best. I knew Southampton offered a brilliant course in what I wanted to study, so I decided to go for it - and I’m certainly glad I did! 

Despite the occasional hiccups, I reckon I’ve largely found my feet this year; I’ve practised coping with many a deadline rush, I’ve identified the better pubs, and I know which supermarket chain sells the best value-for-money pizzas. But whereas I was originally unsure why module scores this year didn’t count towards my final degree classification (I just had to pass them), now I can recognise it’s all about easing the learning curve, taking everything in and getting everyone to have a similarly strong course foundation.  I’m going to try to review the year in its highs, lows and lessons over the next few weeks, but overall, I’ve gained so much already from being here, and I say to next year: “Bring it on!”

P.S. If you’ve got a question about anything, don’t be a stranger – please just add a comment below, and I’ll do my best to get back to you!

Robin

The obligatory introductory post (a.k.a. every blogger’s nemesis)

Hello everyone - I think it’s probably time I introduced myself. My name is Jo Fisher, and I’ve just finished my BA English degree at the University of Southampton. I got my results last week, and I’ll be graduating properly in July. It’s a big step – I’ve spent the last three years meeting new people, facing new challenges and working hard, and now the life I have become settled with is changing all over again!

Within the next three months, I’ll be making the biggest step in my life since 2009 when I began my career as an undergraduate. I have applied for and been accepted to study a Master’s in English Literary Studies in September here at the University of Southampton, and cannot wait to get started! It means that I’ll be able to continue to study Literature, which has always been one of the great loves of my life, whilst staying in Southampton and living independently. The last few months have been riddled with fear, anxiety and excitement, but I am sure this is the right decision for my future.

I have a feeling that the next twelve months will be incredibly busy for me. Alongside my masters, I will be filling the role of Deputy Editor for the University’s magazine, the Wessex Scene, and of course getting a job to help fund my course since this year I will not be eligible for government funding. It’s going to be a challenge but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and it’s about time I stopped playing it safe and took some risks.

This is me: just so that you can put a face to a name

This introductory post comes at quite a poignant time for me as I am currently moving out of my student house, which has been my home for the last two years. Since being here at University, things have definitely changed for the better. That sounds very cheesy, but it’s definitely true, and most students I know will say the same. I’ve made some lifelong friends, developed confidence, learned how to care for myself, and really discovered what interests me. I have been very lucky in my time here at Southampton, and could not have asked for a better three years. Words cannot describe how sad I am to see everything changing, and it is certainly going to be difficult to adapt, but things must change in order to move forward.  I suppose I chose to continue into postgraduate study not only to further my studies, but also to continue the lifestyle that I have grown so accustomed to. You could say I’m not quite ready to leave student life behind and enter the real world just yet!

I was going to compile a list of personal aims and objectives for the next year, and then share them with you to look back on at the end. However, I found that far too difficult, and it may have been rather a tacky start to my blogging career for many of the readers! I think the best thing to do is enjoy myself, do what I want to do, and appreciate that things cannot always be planned. I do have aims, but those are to have the year of my life, to juggle everything well and leave as a happy and well-rounded person. I don’t think I could ask for more than that! So here’s to the next year of my life.

I’ve always been a keen reader and I suppose being a budding writer comes with that – but I’ve never really had an outlet for my writing other than my essays and assignments. Although this first post is not too innovative, I hope it’s provided a good insight into my life so far, allowing you to work out what to expect from my writing. I think it’s a good idea to start off with the basics; who I am, what I do, and why I am here in Southampton. You’ll find out more about everything else over time. I cannot wait to share my postgraduate life with you all, and hope that you enjoy reading about what I have to say.

So, Southampton. You’re not getting rid of me that easily. I’ll be back in September to start a new chapter of my life! In the meantime, let’s see what this summer brings…

Joanne