I have made it through the first two weeks of University pretty much in one piece!
I would, however, be lying if I said this hadn't been one of the hardest things I've ever done.
Let's get the bad stuff out of the way...
Leaving home and moving to University is hard for everyone! There's so much to adjust to. Everything is new and it takes time to find your feet and to feel at home. I knew this before I came but what made it harder for me was that I was already really ill before I got here. I didn't want to talk about this in my last post because I didn't want the celebration to be overshadowed, but the truth is that I was really struggling. As I mentioned a few posts back, old mental and physical health problems have been creeping back in over the past couple of months. I've been really working on this but the stress of starting Uni definitely made everything worse! For the first week of freshers I was so ill with anxiety that I could barely eat anything and just felt awful. My poor mum had to receive a tearful call from me on more than one occasion. I felt so frustrated that I was so ill and couldn't be the version of myself that I really wanted to be. When you're constantly meeting new people it's natural to feel you want to present your 'best self'. I wanted to be funny, happy, smiling, interesting Katie and instead I felt like a quiet, low, shaky version of myself. I certainly didn't want to go on any nights out and really felt I was missing out on freshers life. It turns out that even making small talk is pretty difficult when you're constantly being hit with waves of nausea.
When you're in a negative place mentally it feels like you'll never escape it. You just can't for the life of you see a way out. Because of this, last week seemed to last a lifetime! Every day was a battle - forget that, every meal was a battle! Every conversation was a battle! Every minute alone was a battle!
During this time my friends and family were my rock, God's word was my fortress and the knowledge that I had been through periods like this before and had come out the other side was my hope.
 |
| Hannah and I walking through our accommodation grounds. (Photo creds to Mella) |
Skip to the good bit
I have so much to be grateful for, it's actually unreal. First of all, the biggest thing I was worried about before coming to Uni was whether I would get on with my flatmates or not. I had seen from friends' experiences that getting on with the people you live with can make or break your first year at University. I didn't need to worry though because I have been blessed with the best girls I could have asked for! We are all different but just seem to compliment each other and have established a really good group dynamic. I can honestly say that I love each one of those 4 girls already. We look out for each other, take the piss out of each other and love spending time together. I am also so grateful that they were understanding last week and never pressured me into doing anything I didn't want to do. I'm afraid you're not going to be able to stop me now that I'm feeling better though, sorry ladies lol. We also have a 6th member of our flat but he hasn't really bonded with us yet despite our best efforts. But you can hardly blame him! It must be hard living with 5 women!
I'm also really lucky to live in the place that I do. Although it feels like we have to have maintenance staff in every day, our little flat is fab and I love my room. I thought that living in catered halls would be a bit of a 'mare as it wasn't what I had wanted. In reality it is working out really well! It's so handy and I think it will be a huge help in the new year when I'll be leaving early and getting back late on placement. It also means there's less washing up - always a bonus!!!
 |
| Left to right: Me, Steph, Mella, Hannah, Milly |
 |
| 💗 |
The next thing that I am very grateful is my course. The thought that you might have chosen the wrong place or the wrong course is always going to be in the back of your mind - especially as I was so close to continuing in my pursuit of an acting career. The past two weeks have proven to me without a doubt that I am in the right place and am on the right course. My course leaders/lecturers are all great and are so passionate about what they do and about shaping us into the best teachers we can possibly be. I've made friends with lots of my course-mates and I am really excited to start this teaching journey with them. At the moment I feel like I'm still finding my feet in terms of how the course works and what is expected of me; but I'm sure it will only be a few weeks before I'm really in the swing of things. Over the past few days I feel that I've really solidified my reason for getting in to teaching. I think it's always important to establish your 'why' for everything you do - otherwise what's the point? In terms of teaching I know that I might not be able to change the world but I can change
their world. I am determined to become the best teacher I can in order to make a positive difference to the lives of every individual child that I teach.
Aside from my flat and my course, I have met amazing people in other places too! Particularly through St Peter's Church and the CU here. These people have been a huge part of me settling here as I feel like Brighton can be a spiritual home for me - as well as a physical one.
I've met people through these places who I now feel I've known for a lot longer than a week! It's crazy how quickly you can 'click' with someone.
 |
| Our team came 3rd in the St Peter's pub quiz! A truly proud moment lol. |
I'm still gutted that I've had these frustrating health setbacks but I feel like I'm getting on top of it now. I'm looking after myself and feel I have a great support network of people around me - both here and back home. Overall, the main emotion I'm feeling right now is excitement! Excitement to see relationships develop, excitement to really get in to my course, and excitement to fully immerse myself in Brighton life - it truly is an amazing city.
Thanks for reading!
Love,
