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
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