10 things you’ve got to do as a student

Cliché time: You’re a completely different person when you graduate to the person you were at the start of uni.

Ok, put the gun down. I get it. You’ve heard that a billion times before. I have, we all have, but here’s the thing it’s 100% true. For the first time, a lot of us move out of our homes with our parents. We leave everything familiar to us and start a new chapter. Even those who still live with their parents change. We all meet new people and learning at university is completely different from college or school.

It’s inevitably that you will change in some way. You may become more independent, social, confident, reclusive, reckless, careful, extroverted or introverted. There’s no telling. They may be small changes. They may be massive changes. They may be positive changes or negative but it’ll happen trust me.

I’ve been a student three years now and these are some things I couldn’t recommend more to do while you’re attending uni.

• Read as much as you can: Go through your reading list for lectures. Read stuff that goes against your opinion. Read stuff you relate to. Just read! I’d personally recommend “How to Build a Girl” by Caitlin Moran which has quickly become one of my favourite ever books, especially if you’re looking for something that encompasses the whole feeling of change and character growth.
• Visit friends in different parts of the country: Although uni is all about meeting new people, don’t neglect the people that shaped you. I personally have friends all over the shop: Salford, Derby, Leeds, Warwick and, of course, home in Grimsby.
• Be one with nature: This is my inner hippie talking here but it’s easy to stay put in a town or city without appreciating the outside world. Grab a bus to the middle of nowhere or just have a stroll in the park.
• Cook a meal with your flatmates: Love them or loathe them, your flatmates are probably the first people you’ll meet and get to know with at uni so make the effort to connect with them. I’ve lived with two of the same flatmates I’ve had for the past three years now and I can say I’ve found a great friend in one of them especially.
• Learn a new skill: Learn an instrument, a language, a dance, even just learn the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air rap completely. I’ve recommended this a billion times before but trust me, societies are worth it. You’ll meet people you wouldn’t have had chance to meet before and you can learn all sorts. Like for example what tardis stands for (thanks Sci-Fi society).

Ok, puppy break.

Are we good? Ok, let’s continue…

• Watch a new TV show/film you wouldn’t usually watch:  Uni is about opening your eyes to new things and ideas. The media we consume really helps to shape us. For example, 60% of my vocabulary nowadays is thanks to RuPaul’s Drag Race.
• Go to live events: Gigs, theatre, art exhibitions, conventions, talks, open your mind to new ideas.
• Make mistakes: I’ve had my fair share of mistakes. Making the wrong friends, following plans I know are going to fail, making the wrong choices. But, and cliché alert again, our mistakes are how we learn… stop eye rolling at me!
• Stop panicking: Once you realise life goes on no matter what goes right or wrong you’re gonna be a lot happier.
• Have a melted marshmallow and Nutella sandwich: Trust me. You’ll thank me later.

Hopefully, all of that wasn’t too cliché for you. I personally hate all that “be yourself” rubbish but it’s all based on truth, you know! Three years ago, I didn’t think I’d ever want to leave home or be out of my comfort zone and yet here I am, sat in my room in Grimsby waiting for the moment I can go see my friends and eat that ice cream I’ve hidden in the freezer.

What would you say is a must for any student?