AN EXCITING TIME ANDA TASTEOFINDEPENDENCE

Going to university is both the scariest and most exciting time of your life so far.

Although Ihave only moved two hours away from home, to study history at Aberystwyth University,ithas at times felt like an entirely different world.

Simple things, such as going on a weekly shop and cooking for yourself, have given me asense of independence and ataste of adulthood that was new to me.

This sense of independence carried itself on to the main reason you go to university.No, not the nights out, but the possibilities to learn. Morethan some subjects perhaps, choosing history gave me greater control of what Iwanted to learnand write about than Ihave ever had before.

With essay topics ranging from Norse migration into North America to the historical relevancy of protest songs, my education so far has followed wherever my interest has carried it.

Ihave found that the workload in the first year has been abit less intense than I was expecting –awelcome change after A-level revision! But Ihave been told that this will change in years two and three and that had Itaken amoreSTEM-based course things would be different.

The social life, however,has perhaps been the most memorable part of university so far!

After the pandemic and the limitations that placed on my social life, the opportunities for nights out was abig transition! Even for aplace like Aberystwyth, which is probably quieter than many university towns, it can be a lot to get used to. Still, it did not take long for me to take it in my stride, with awhole host of socials and themed nights taking place on aweekly basis.

This leads me on to my next point –clubs and societies. Avital part of the university lifestyle, Ihave signed up for several, including the newly-formed karaoke club, surf club and hiking.

Surfing was something Ihad always fancied learning and coming from the Midlands the opportunities had been limited. Now Iamataseaside university, Iamtaking full advantage and enjoyed a surf trip to Cornwall over Easter.

The hiking club has given me the chance to exploremoreofthe beautiful countryside in Wales, including aclimb up Snowdon.

Ihave also enjoyed being apart of the film club, building on my film knowledge. These have all provided agreat opportunity to have fun and meet new people, helping me to find my ‘tribe’.

Between studying and socialising, thereistimetoexplorethe town you’re in. Ihave enjoyed many local walks in the picturesque surroundings, browsed the stores Aberystwyth has to offer,spent time reading in the impressive National Library of Wales, and enjoyed the lovely views of the sea as the sun goes down.

Living fairly close to home has also reducedfeelings of homesickness, as I have been able to take the train journey across Wales to visit my family,and Ican always give them acall when Ifeellikeit.

It would be wrong to make university sound like an easy journey for everyone, it’snot,but it is alearning curve, with even the bad experiences –like dislocating my knee on anight out in my first week! –anopportunity to learnsothatyou’ll leave university with not only (hopefully!) adegree, but agreater pool of life experiences and memories to look back on in later life.

IMPORTANTTO MAKE THEMOST OF FRESHERS’WEEK

Freshers’Week, also knownas Welcome Week takesplace at thebeginningofthe academic year,beforeteachingofficially starts.Itisaweekfull of events andactivitiesdesigned to help newstudentsmakefriends.It’s also agreat wayto find outabout differentsocietiesand sports clubsthatyou canget involved in Here areUCAS’ tips formaking themost of freshers week: n Findyourtribe:There will be so much happeningduringfreshers’ week.There arecooleventsonall thetime, nights out, freshers’fairs andmore. Most of all, it’s achance to meet people, getinvolvedand find your crowd, whetherthat’sa specificsportsteam, society, or your flatmates, to name afew. n Take time for yourself:With everythingbeing new, freshers’ week canbea bitoverwhelming So,makesureyou take some time outfor yourself.Whetheryou go for awalk, pinupsome pictures in your newroom, or head into thecityortown, youcan chill by yourself forawhileifyou need n Talk to your student reps: Feelingworried aboutsomething? Most unishaveabunch of student volunteerstohelpyou if you’re not sure aboutanything. They’vebeen throughitall before,sowillbe happytoshare theirexperiences andoffer advice n Look afteryourself: Firstly, make sure youeat anddrink enough to get youthroughthe week.Get some cupboard essentials in.Freshers’ week is loadsoffun butgoing to so many events is tiring –makesureyou’re well restedand gettingenough sleep. n Trynew things: You’ll getsent acalendarofevents, or find one when youget to halls, andit’s agreat opportunity to trynew things