Settling in

The transition to university is something that no one can really prepare you for. I have now come to the end of my second year at the University of Bristol. Looking back, I feel that I have learnt a lot about myself. Starting university in September 2021, I was so nervous and definitely struggled with the transition. The beginning of university is so much fun as you have a new level of freedom, you meet new people and make so many friends. However, there is the transition of living in a new city and being away from home that can also be very lonely and my anxiety was definitely heightened.

It took some time for me to settle in and get used to this new life; I definitely still struggle sometimes, but for the most part I love university now. I have made some amazing friends and I have become so much more independent. I currently live in a house of seven girls and in my third year I will be living in a house of five girls. I have loved living in a house with my friends and also being so near to all my friends in other houses. I love the social side of university and I have particularly really enjoyed the past couple of weeks now that my exams are done, as I have been able to go and sit in the sun in pub gardens with my friends and chat away for hours or dancing away with them in the club - something I feel we missed out on because of COVID during sixth form.

As an undergraduate History student, I have been enrolled on some really interesting modules - my favourite so far being European Fascism in the 20th and 21st century. It is definitely a lot of work (as shown during my recent twelve-hour stint in the library during the exam period), but I am so happy that I chose to do History: it’s something I really enjoy learning about, which is so important when choosing a university course.

Finally, I would say sometimes it can be hard to balance work and socialising at university and I have definitely found it hard at times to motivate myself to work when I don’t have a teacher setting work like we had in school. However, the independence and freedom of university is amazing. I am so glad I decided to go to university and I can’t believe that I only have a year left!

EMMA CONAGHAN History Undergraduate at the University of Bristol

www.bristol.ac.uk

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