I finished college in the first week of May, and it’s only now that I’ve sat down to write this post, not because I’ve been too busy because I’ve been very active with blogging and Youtube but because 3rd year was… something…
Every year I reflect on what I learned that college year, and first and second year came with more than just academic lessons so of course this year was no different.
The first half of first year was spent on co-op where I got to work (for no pay because journalism is exploitative) in a local magazine. It was sort of a pro and a con that they happened to be renovating their office when I came so got to work from home, I meant my part time job that actually pays me got full availability but the downside was I don’t think I got the most out of the experience. Still, I really enjoyed it and it proved that magazine is definitely the journalistic route I want to go down when I graduate, anything I learned from there was related to journalism so I’m not going to bore you with the details.
Second semester was supposed to be Erasmus… and well… I didn’t go.
The idea of studying in a University in Barcelona that’s on the beach sounds like an amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it was, but I don’t regret my decision. I had more cons than pros in my mind such as coming home jobless, being alone, strains on relationships, and the risk of relapse. The freedom would have been great but settling back into life at home wouldn’t go smoothly. Plus, I felt that going was running away from my problems, and it was better to face the inevitable now – when staying at home meant picking modules to take a pass/fail and would have no effect on my QCA – than go come home, stressed over no job and knowing I was entering a war zone in my final and most important year.
It sounds like I care more about grades than living and my well-being, which isn’t the case, but one thing I absolutely will prevent is having to repeat because I know I’d end up dropping out if I had to repeat a year.
Here’s the life lessons I picked up in my third year in university.
What I learned in third year:
- People have not matured since school. It happened to me in school and I’m sure many many others where friends abandon you without so much as asking for your side when someone tells them something nasty – and probably untrue – about you. I lost friends I had my whole life up until that point in school to someone they barely knew and to this day, I still wonder what the rumoured version of me must have done that was so bad. It still happens in college. People are immature in school, that behaviour isn’t okay but it’s more disappointing when smart educated 20-something-year old’s in University do it.
- The people you think are on your team aren’t. This is similar to the last one, the clubs I thought valued me didn’t so much as bat an eyelid when I asked for help or care that I quit C&S altogether
- but people will surprise you in good ways too. People I didn’t think would notice or believe me, absolutely did and it meant the world.
- It made me want to change things. I want to make a difference and stand up for people, so the attempts to knock me down only made me stronger.
- My pace isn’t the same as others, and that’s okay. Of course it made me sad to see all my classmates’ Instagram posts of them living it up aboard while I was not having a good time at home. You would think it would have made me regret my decision but it didn’t. I had a few “I wouldn’t have had to put up with this shit in Spain” moments but not full fledged regret. I wasn’t ready to live abroad, and I fully intend to one day but it wasn’t the time right now.
- There is always a silver lining, and when you take that into account, the bad times wont be so hard.
- My girl karma is gonna come though.
I’m being vague because I’m not ready to talk about it fully yet, apologies for such a grim post. I’ll hopefully have something more lighthearted next time.
If you’re in college, what life lessons did you finish the academic year with?
Chin up. These people will eventually grown up. And those that don’t (well oh well). Your main focus is your end goal. Don’t let others distract your from that. The thought of going abroad to study sounds fun but you probably made the right decision for you. And that’s what matters, you will be great during and in the end : ) xo
http://www.juanitalikes.com
Thank you
Try to stay positive. Remember, what goes around comes around and karma’s a bitch!
I hope you’re ok, it’s hard but sometimes it’s best not to have people like that in your life. Third year seems so tough (I’m heading into it in September) but I’m sure you made all the right decisions for you xx
Thank you. I’m looking at it like “the trash took itself out”
Thanks for sharing your views… I fully agree that some people never seem to mature but as you said there are others who will surprise you and be different. Stay positive and those good ones will come along!
Best of luck in your final year 💕
Thank you so much
Being at least three decades older than you are, I’ll say to keep looking ahead and leave the rest in the rearview mirror. Every experience is valuable..but it’s key to try to not dwell, just do all you can to keep moving forward and things will fall into place:) Wishing you all the best always!
Thank you so much, in a few years I probably wont even remember people’s names so I’m not letting it bother me that much
I hope it gets better but great read and thank you for sharing x
Thank you
Stay positive! I can totally relate having just finished my third year at uni and struggled with immature nasty people. They are not worth your upset. Thankyou for sharing though, it’s nice to know some else feels the same
I’m sorry you went through the same thing, but it’s always comforting to know others know the feeling
I am sorry that you did not have a great experience with clubs! Hopefully you are surrounded with fantastic, supportive friends! Best Wishes, Iga http://www.igaberry.com x
Thank you!
I learned a lot of these lessons the hard way too, but it all works out in the end. It really does. The people you’re supposed to have in your life will fight their way to stay and those you don’t will walk away and you have to let them.
Laura ¦ http://www.laurahasablog.co.uk
I’m more at peace with it now, but thank you
I think it takes a lot of pain and suffering to come out the other end a better, strong and more mature person. You don’t need the people in your life that don’t support you or that leave you at the drop of a hat. I hope things get better for you!
Beka | http://www.bekadaisies.com
Thank you so much
I think it’s quite incredible that you were able to make the decision to not go abroad. I don’t think this is necessarily the best choice for everyone, but the fact you thought about it and made the best decision for you regardless of what others might think is really good. And I can completely understand the reasons as to why you made your choice. I can relate to some of the things you’ve learned too. Like people being immature, still. I think this might be the point in our lives where we need to weed out the bad and negative people in our lives and to only keep the good and that’s okay. I hope things will get better for you. It sounds like you’re already far on your way! Be proud of what you’re already accomplishing!
Thank you so much, that means a lot. I was one of my hardest decisions to make, but I’m glad I didn’t go because of the expectation to do it. As for people being immature, the trash took itself out