British People

British people are one of a kind. We all have those British personality traits that make us...well...British.

It still amazes me how many different accents there are across the UK and how it can change so dramatically depending on which city you're in. Geordie, Scouse, Cockney, Yorkshire, Brummie, Lancashire...the list goes on.

I don't particularly believe I have any kind of accent and think mine is pretty neutral. I was born in Birmingham but moved to North Yorkshire when I was two years old so I didn't pick up the Brummie accent but I also don't really have a Yorkshire accent either?

In my opinion, British people are over polite. A good example of this is zebra crossings. Everyone knows that it is the law for vehicles to stop at zebra crossings to allow you to cross. However, for some reason British people believe it's an absolute disgrace to go anywhere near the things. Some will actually avoid them and travel further just to get to a proper crossing, where you can press the button and wait till the green man shows to confirm you can cross...just to avoid the humiliation.

I think it's the fact Brits try to minimise their inconvenience to others as much as possible and feel that zebra crossings cause them be a 'complete an utter nuisance' (in the words of a true Brit). They feel completely embarrassed and ashamed to have to cross the road...even though we know full well that people have to stop because it is the law. Oh no, it is still an absolute disgrace. In the event that we have no other option but use a zebra crossing, we always end up doing that extremely awkward quick walking/jogging/skipping notion as we try to get across the road as quickly as possible. We then bow our head in shame and display a quick wave to the people in the cars to apologise for our horrendous behaviour.

That's another thing...why do Brits feel the need to apologise for every single thing we do even though we have nothing to be sorry for? Some hooligan will violently ram their shopping trolley into us in the supermarket (it's happened to all of us) and our immediate reaction is to shout out 'oh I am so sorry!'. What are we saying sorry for?! I'm so sorry that you're so thick and you failed to see I was stood right in front of you whilst you continued to accelerate into me.

Ffffs...us Brits are too nice for our own good!

Student food

Students have a reputation for eating anything and everything. Whatever's in the cupboard, us students will find a way to utilise it in some sort of random meal.

Almost every student always has a tin of beans in the cupboard no matter what, because beans goes with everything right? Egg and beans. Chips and beans. Beans on toast. I will sometimes have pasta, beans and cheese. I know what you're thinking...that sounds disgusting. Don't knock it till you try it. I think one of my ultimate favourite student meals is sausage roll, chips and beans...mmmm so good. Closely followed by spag bol, I mean who doesn't love a spag bol?

Personally I enjoy cooking but some students will just refuse to cook and choose to live off Greggs or KFC all day everyday. They no longer have their mums around to tell them off and to eat their greens so they can eat whatever they like! No wonder most students end up getting over weight with all the junk food and boozing!

Oh and then there's pot noodles, the ultimate go to breakfast/lunch/tea/snack for every student in a time of desperate need of something quick and easy to eat. I can honestly now say that I absolutely despise pot noodles and probably won't eat them every again, I am that sick of them.

Cats

If I had to say one thing that makes me extremely happy in life, one of the first things that springs to mind is cats. Yes, cats. I have been labelled by a number of people as a crazy cat lady but to be honest I can't deny it because I know it's true.

When my cat died a few years ago I was utterly heartbroken. Why can't they live forever?! I've been nagging my mum ever since to get another cat but she says she doesn't want another one. BUT I DO! Ok, so I live away at university most of the time and won't be at home to look after it...but I would definitely be back every possible opportunity if we got another one. Please mum, pleaaaaaaase?

I could easily watch hour after hour of cat videos on YouTube and if you say that you've never done that then you're lying. If you don't believe me, type in cats scared of cucumbers online..I can guarantee that you'll be on the floor laughing within a few minutes.

I would definitely say that if I was an animal I'd be a cat. Cute and cuddly but also has a feisty side. I also love a good cat nap, who doesn't?!

CAT CAFES! When I first heard this idea I thought it was a joke, but it's actually a thing. As soon as I found out about them, I obviously had to go? I can honestly say that it was one of the best experiences of my life and I would highly recommend it to all cat lovers (maybe not if you don't like cats). 

I'm worried my obsession may get out of hand and I'll end up as some crazy, lonely, old woman who has a house full of 50 cats instead of kids one day. Let's hope that doesn't happen, but meh I'm not totally against the idea.

Napping

Why is it that naps are so satisfying?

I find it's always the unexpected naps that are always the best too. That feeling when you wake up and have no idea how you fell asleep? Yet you feel so refreshed and alive after it, it's amazing.

There are times in the past where I have actually planned naps, especially before a night out to give me that extra energy boost. It makes such a difference!  Even if it's just 20 minutes, you feel like a totally new person when you wake up and you're ready for the night ahead.

My experience of being a student has taught me that naps always seem to get you through those stressful times. Got too much work on? Have a nap. On the verge of having a breakdown? Have a nap. It's the best solution.

Those people who fall asleep on public transport still amaze me though, I have never been able to do that. I would constantly feel like someone was watching me whilst I sleep and that's just weird...

I am aware I sound like an absolute grandma, but I literally have no shame in admitting that I love a good nap.

Living Alone

Living alone can have its ups and downs.

One of the major advantages of living completely on your own is the fact that you have your own space and can do whatever you want with it. No one can tell you otherwise because it is your flat! Well...technically it is the landlord's flat so you have to live by their rules but other than that you're free as a bird! I mean you can walk around completely naked and sing your heart out and no one could tell you not to (provided the blinds are down of course).

It can quite lonely and boring being on your own when there's no one else to talk to, which can often result in you talking to yourself without realising just to stop yourself from going insane. I mean you could always go round and get to the know the neighbours, but that would be ridiculous right who does that?

Bills, bills and more bills. I didn't realise how many things you actually had to pay for until I lived completely on my own last year during my university placement year. I'm talking water, electricity, rent, TV license, broadband, insurance...where did all these costs come from?! You know when there's always a small part of your innocent student mind that hopes that these things would come for free. But of course, that is never the case. 

University: 1st Year VS 2nd Year

I was warned that the second year of university would be so different to the first and to enjoy being a fresher whilst I could. I thought naaaaaah it can't be that much different surely? I was wrong. Sooooo wrong.

Whilst the socialising and the partying decreased, the workload and stress increased A LOT.

Deadline after deadline after deadline. Did it ever end? I actually had to do work during the week, like what was this? I was used to being a fresher and just lounging around all day because I had nothing to do. Of course I could still relax on the weekends, but even then I was still stressing about the amount of work I had to do and felt guilty for not doing it and taking a break.

My 1st year looked a lot like this...

- Flat parties

- Watching daytime TV

- Late night walks to the shop

- Partying till 5 am 

- Sleeping

My 2nd year looked a lot like this...

- Stress

- More stress

- Work 

- In bed for 9pm

- More work

A bit of a difference right?

I can't wait to see what my final year brings...even more work most likely?

British weather

One of the British public's favourite topics to discuss is the weather. It just seems to be something we can talk about with complete strangers who we don't know..'Lovely day isn't it?'. I don't know why we do it, we just seem to enjoy it.

Britain is renowned for having such unpredictable weather. Some would say it mirrors the personality of a girl with constant mood swings.

It's almost like a miracle if the sun comes out...within 30 seconds everyone is out in their shorts and sunglasses trying to take advantage of it before it starts to pour it down with rain again.

Choosing an outfit each day is always tricky. Even though it may look warm, it's usually not. Even though it's dry, it probably won't be later. Having an umbrella in your handbag is always a must for people in the UK, trust me the one day you don't take one with you I can 100% guarantee you will need it.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live in a hot country for the rest of my life. I don't think I could cope, even after a week in Spain I start to get too warm and have burnt to a crisp. So maybe it's best for me to stay in the rainy UK, at least for the time being.