Having seen so many people graduate over the past few months, I thought it was fitting to do a post about uni. This post is about deciding what to study, if it will really benefit you and a little about uni life too. Not going to uni isn't the be all and end all but no matter what you do, make sure you have a plan!
A while ago I tweeted that I dislike when people say "education isn't for me", having explained myself one fool said "you can't say that. It certainly isn't for me!" Well if you had decided to educate yourself further by reading my other tweets you wouldn't have replied with such a comment now would you darling!? Anyway, the reason I say this is because all things in life must be learnt. No skill needed to do absolutely anything is given to us at birth, from walking to reading all things are taught. If you are street wise then you probably learnt from watching those older than you, if you are good with fashion you learnt by following and to some extent studying designers and their signature cuts, designs etc.
Education is for everyone but people automatically associate the word with a strict education institute, which isn't true but the image often scares people away from potential opportunities so they say it isn't for them. Once you find something you have the passion for you will be determined to educate yourself about it.
As for university, it honesty may not be for everyone. I remember teachers saying it'll be the best time of your life, oh how they lied! I personally had no intention of going to uni, I had so many business ideas I wanted to look for funding and training courses whilst working full time so at least I wasn't doing nothing and had a little start up money. But like most mothers my mum dropped the 'do it for me' line when I called her crying on my second week. Instantly I felt guilty and now I am waiting for September so I can start my dissertation. It is only by the grace of God that I managed to make it this far without having to repeat a whole year because I really HATE university. In all fairness, I didn't want to go to my uni, I got lower A level grades than expected so I had to pick my insurance over my firm. The uni then told me I had no place and had to look for a uni through clearing when all they needed was evidence of my B grade in GCSE maths -_- so things were going downhill from the start. Because of this delay, I had no room on campus and had to live in private accommodation which wasn't bad at all, if anything I preferred it. 2 of my house mates were hilarious but never cleaned,I was basically the house girl of the house. I'm going off on a tangent now but lets talk about the education side of things.
Why are you going to uni and what are you going to study are the two questions you should ask yourself. Last year I met several people studying subjects which I would consider 'common sense degrees' these are degrees that you don't necessarily need in order to get a job in your desired field as it would probably be better if you got first hand experience then went straight into work, also saving yourself some money. Certain sectors require a degree but I believe many people just study anything so they can say they went to uni. Some of these degrees include events management or entrepreneurship. Yes you read correctly entrepreneurship. Not to knock your confidence if this is what you are studying or intend to study but such a degree defeats the whole objective of the actual job. Even if we look at many well known entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerburg, (who is now worth $33 billion might I add) they either had little education, dropped out of higher education or did something that had no relation to their degree and was a hobbie or passion of theirs. Make sure what you are studying is worth the debt if you're getting student loan, it is you who must pay it back not your parents. Are the 3 years going to be worth that picture in your cap and gown so your mum can boast to your friends? Pick something you enjoy or something that you know will pay well with a good chance of employment pretty soon after graduation. I know people that graduated over a year ago and they are still yet to find a graduate job so they're working a normal paying job and now regret going to uni altogether, you may get lucky but a lot of people don't. I've also seen people drop out of uni thinking they're going to be the next Bill Gates but have no plan like he did. Do not be this person, you'll probably end up on a shop floor getting paid next to nothing for a pretty long time. Before you decide to drop out speak to someone whether it be friends, tutors, counsellors or your parents always let someone know how you feel. That is the one thing I didn't do for a very long time and when I finally did, things got a little better.I have a friend who recently dropped out after her first year. She took her time to start uni because she wasn't a fan of education but I'm so proud that she at least decided to try for the whole year. Luckily she was able to keep the job she had before uni whilst she was in uni so she's back to working full time and looking for something that she wants to do long term.
Work load - Believe it or not university assignments aren't as hard as what you might think they are, unless you are doing maths or anything that involves statistics then prepare for the worst especially psychology, SPSS will make you cry. The level of research and information needed for assignments is a lot more than what is required at A Level, references are key. You'll be taught different referencing formats like MLA or Harvard. There are programmes to help you do this so you'll be fine. They say don't use it but Wikipedia will be your best friend along with Google scholar and the library. The library in uni is rarely every treated like a library, it's more like a youth centre or social club especially during exam period. You'll get there at 5pm, talk and eat till 10pm and start your work at 11 which usually means you'll be doing an all nighter. All nighters will be your saviour when it comes to finishing assignments, especially last minute you'll often find people you didn't even know existed on your course struggling to meet that 11.59pm deadline. You usually have about 6 to 8 weeks to finish an assignment. Plan it early, try to do 300-500 words every other day or week so you just have to edit it when it gets closer to the submission date. I am the queen of last minute.com and always say I'll never do it again but I always do. Don't fall into that trap, make use of all the free time you have especially if you're already on campus, go to the library and do a bit so you can enjoy the rest of your day.
Social Life - Uni is about 60% learning and 40% social life. It's very easy to let your social life take over especially because lecturers don't molly coddle you the way teachers do and chase you if you haven't turned up to lectures or done any work. Make friends with people on the same course as you to keep you motivated and make sure you meet deadlines. Although I do recommend going to the library or studying alone so you actually get work done, find people that will keep you on track but know how to have a good time too. There are usually club nights everyone Monday and Wednesday and coach raves will often be on a Tuesday in the middle of the term because most people don't have lectures on Wednesday and Thursday or Friday if it's end of term. I don't know what your uni experience will be like but raves and house parties were way better when I was in first year, a lot changed but make the most of it. Alcohol is disgustingly cheap at uni events or weekly club night so drink responsibly. You'll probably smoke at least once whilst at uni but don't let it consume you. It happened to one of my housemates in 1st year, eventually he didn't go to lectures, was too drunk to concentrate and got sent home then stole from my other housemate to get weed money. It was sad to see but always remember why you're in uni and how much you're wasting by letting such things become a priority.
Friendship - I saw someone tweet the most ridiculous statement I think I've ever seen regarding uni it was something along the lines of 'primary school, secondary school and college friends are temporary but uni friends are for life.' Considering you're meeting people when you are older and more mature than when you were in school this statement isn't completely wrong but most people in uni are fake as fake can be. Most of the time people are nice to you in uni for their own benefit, whether it be to help you with their work or to make their experience more enjoyable, no-one is really there to see you happy. Not to say you won't meet people you will get on with instantly, I met a few and I'm so grateful I did. Most people I know have very small friendship groups in uni and just about manage to stay in contact with them after graduating so don't think your uni friends are you besties unless you genuinely have no friends at home and believe the bond is that strong. Always be sociable, uni is such a diverse place it's nothing like school. People on your course may be older/younger than you, from different parts of the UK even from different countries and each of them could benefit you when you least expect it. You don't need to be best friends with everyone but there is definitely no need to be rude or standoffish all the time. If you drive everyone will want to be your friend at some point, if you want to be a cab man of the year then make sure you're making your petrol money! Also uni can be very isolating no matter how many friends you have seeing your mum or friends from home will keep you sane, aim to go home every so often so you don't go crazy.
Finances - If you already know what uni you are going to then I suggest you look for jobs in that area from now. If you're looking for work experience to go along with your job then a lot of the time it won't be paid so I suggest retail, receptionist or call centre jobs. Most uni's also have jobs on campus that pay pretty well so also look on your uni website. Student loan is never enough even if you receive the most that is available plus a grant. Unless you're living with your parents you'll definitely be making calls home for extra cash so learn to budget: weekly shopping, text books you might need, money for laundry, clothes shopping, petrol money/money to visit home and enough for going out that week. If you like your flatmates then you can share things like sugar, butter, flour, seasoning and spices, washing up liquid to save money just replace it if you finish it. I would say milk but there are some F I L T H Y people once you get to uni and I wouldn't want them drinking from my bottle. Know exactly what is coming in and out of your account so you don't live the struggle life. Dry food and tinned food like rice, pasta, salt, seasoning and tin tomatoes etc. ask your parents to buy for you before uni along with your kitchen utensils so that one expense you don't have to take care of. To make the most of your money make great use of the freezer, supermarkets often have things on knock down price, especially the high end stuff or meat so buy it and freeze it on the day yo get it and remove all air from the packet first. Use it within about a month of you buying it you won't die because it wasn't expired when you bought it. Cook in big batches and freeze it too so if you get lazy you can just defrost it and dinner is served. If you're not going to eat all your fresh fruit and veg then don't buy loads it'll be in the bin in no time. If you open a student account then I don't suggest going in to your overdraft unless you know you can pay it back immediately, these things catch up with you and the bank may even pressure you into taking out a credit card DO NOT do it you'll ruin your credit score if you aren't careful. Uni is also a great time to start a business big or small so go for it.
Relationships - If you are going to a predominantly black uni then stay clear of: DJ's , promoters and anyone else in those social circles, including pretty boys or the very 'bait' guys. They move to everything that breathes especially during freshers week, many have girlfriends at home or a 'main chick' so he just wants to have sex. It's usually 3rd year guys that prey on 1st year girls so be alert ALWAYS. Don't be silly and cook for these guys either especially if they aren't buying the ingredients everyone is trying to save money so don't find yourself at a loss doing family food shopping for ungrateful boys. If you don't cook another girls will and he has money to order food. If you catch feelings for someone then ask another girl to ask another girl, 9/10 he's saying the same thing to another girl you know so don't fall victim. A lot of girls go to uni thinking they'll meet their life partner, let go of that dream right now most people I know who came to uni in relationships graduated single so bear that in mind. Your sleeping pattern will completely flip so expect booty calls very often especially if you want to keep things on the low, dating a guy from another uni is also very risky they will be whispering sweet nothings in your ear and treat you like a queen when you go to visit them but have another girl laying in those same sheets, if I had time I would tell you the stories some guys really disgust me hence why no guy cheating surprises me now. But if I'm honest just enjoy your time at uni you're still young. Don't be the girl that keeps it in the circle or sleeps with promoters for free entry. Boys talk as much as girls do, so expect your name to pop up. And please guy condoms are a MUST pregnancy is real and so are STI's. A guy I know had sex with a girl, told his friend to get a piece too and this girls also had a boyfriend. Weeks later he got the itch and found out he and his friend caught something from her but she she denied it and was still roaming around in halls with different guys. People do all kinds of stuff when they're away from home so be very very careful.
To conclude, I think uni is more about the experience and finding yourself than actually learning. A lot of employers these days prefer people with work experience as they know they can develop your skills rather than teach you from scratch. Not all degrees offer sandwich courses so try to find relevant work experience during your holidays. All the information I have provided you with is how I feel towards uni and what I have seen and heard from those around me, university is honestly what you make it. I wouldn't ever suggest uni as the route to becoming a millionaire considering starting salary is £20,000-25,000 for most graduate jobs, just remember education is essential no matter what you decide to do, be willing to learn and don't run when you see a text book.
If you have any further questions or think I've missed out anything important them message me on twitter @StaceyLeeBanks or email me staceyleebanks@icloud.com
