I have applied to study Film and Television Studies with a Foundation Year at the UEA and I have a conditional offer. I am very excited and also extremely nervous so I thought I'd share some of things I've learnt through my application process and my journey to Higher Education.
Firstly, remember that University is not for everyone, there are many other options you can choose and your parents/teachers should not be forcing you to go if it is something you are not 100% happy about.
Apply for the course and University that you feel is best for you. Something you are passionate about and will enjoy for three/four years. It is a long time and it is supposed to be fun so make your decisions wisely. Choose a University that you love rather than the closest one or the one that your big brother went to. Sure, if you like those ones then go for it but definitely visit a couple before making your final choice. I chose UEA because I am 100% happy when I go there, the staff make it feel like home already! Yes, it is the closest one to home but I made my decision because I want to stay close to my family and I don't do well when I'm away from them for long stretches of time.
Talk to people that are going to be on your course/freshers before you go. I have spoken to so many lovely people via Facebook and they are the most amazing group of friends I've ever made! I feel like I've known them for years and I love that they all have unique personalities. I started texting Callum a few weeks ago and we literally never run out of things to say. Ash, Travis, Ellie, Sarah, Sarah, Leanne, Kam, Zoe, Ewa, Mattia, even though you're crazy, you are genuinely the greatest bunch of people and I love you! I can't wait for September. I'll be making tea and cakes for me and Ewa whilst everyone else goes out clubbing! Hahaaa
Think about your accommodation. Will you be able to live at home or would you rather live in halls? Do you want to share a bathroom with other people in your flat or have an en suite? Campus or village? Do you want to have a twin room so you can share with a friend? I'm pretty certain that I'm going to share a twin room with Ewa! She is the loveliest girl in the world and one of my best friends!
Organise a meet up before you start university. This is something we have decided to do and I'm really looking forward to it! Some of the group live in London so they've never seen the night life of Norwich before so we're having a meal together and then going clubbing. I've never been clubbing before so it'll be a new experience for me too.
Don't be nervous, stay positive. It sounds cliche, but everyone is in the same boat as you. It's likely they've never lived away from home before and they don't know anyone else. Make friends, be confident, keep your chin up. I am guilty of being the shyest person in the world, I get nervous in social situations. I have anxiety and suffer from panic attacks. Sometimes people don't understand what I'm trying to say or I don't understand them because I have Asperger's Syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is very personal to me and I don't talk about it very often. These disabilities stop me from going out with my friends to parties at the weekends, they stop me from using public transport because I get scared and stress myself out. What if there's a delay and my train is late or I get to wherever too late to get on the next train? What if the bus doesn't arrive on time? What if there's no seats and I have to sit next to a stranger? What if?
I haven't been posting for a long while and life has been crazy but I wanted to share this because University is going to be a new start for me.
That's it for now,
Kazia x
