Congratulations, you’ve made it! You’ve made it to university. Whether Swansea is your first choice, your insurance choice or you came here through clearing, you’ve made it this far and the fun is just about to begin- right?
It’s common for adults and university graduates to say that university is supposed to be the best years and the most fun you’ll have in your life. It’s a well-known stereotype and therefore you may become pressured into thinking you should experience nothing but pure fun at university every single day. Nobody really prepares you for how hard it can be at times, but I promise you, the good times are amazing.
Nothing really prepares you for leaving home. I don’t think it matters what age you are or what kind of relationship you have with your family; there is no stranger feeling than the realisation that you will never, completely live in your childhood home again. You’ll get through it though. Unpacking all your stuff and making your accommodation feel like home will be the first step, and getting to know your flatmates and experiencing living with people who are all completely different and aren’t your family is the second. It all comes together without you realising it. Freshers week is so much fun- it’s a highlight of university and I promise you’ll love it.
You’ll love it because it’s the first time that most of you will feel independent and free, everyone else in your halls block will be in the same situation and you will experience so much together in that week. Everyone is in the same boat to start with; it’s like starting secondary school again to some extent. You make friends easily, especially if you talk to people and embrace every opportunity. University is what you make of it and how you choose to approach it. There is lots of advice out there to help you adjust to university life, you’ll be incredibly busy most days and you won’t really have time to notice that you’re away from home when you’re experiencing freshers. Just remember homesickness is completely natural.
We are also lucky to be part of a generation that has access to technology 24/7, meaning that you can call, Facetime, text and be in contact with your family as much as you want to be. I know it isn’t the same, but it helps. Semester one goes by so incredibly quickly and you will be home at Christmas before you know it.
Just a reminder that everyone at university is experiencing the same thing, we’re all in it together and we can all help each other through it.
By Georgia-Rose Williams
