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.

Tea drinking

It is a well known fact that us British love our tea.

Everyone has their favourite type of tea and their own way of taking it, whether it's with sugar without milk or milk without sugar or even without sugar or milk...?! Tea drinking is unique for every single person and some would say that it makes us who we are. Many people will judge you based on your tea habits, it's just crazy! If you're British and don't enjoy a good old cuppa, people assume there's something wrong with you. It's almost seen as a crime if you don't drink it. 'Oh no sorry I don't like tea' *gasps loudly in disgust*. Absolute peasants.

People who enjoy the same tea and tea methods will often get along much better, as it's just more simple when they come round right? You can simply ask 'cuppa?' and when they respond 'ooo yeah go on then' you don't have to be reminded how they like it as you already know because they have it exactly the same as you! Easy.

I personally like a good old fashioned brew. Yorkshire Tea has to be my ultimate favourite, obviously because I live in Yorkshire but also because I actually live in Harrogate where it is made! My claim to fame. I like to keep it simple with my tea, give me a nice cup of Yorkshire with a splash of milk and I'm good to go.

Of course you can never forget the biccies to dunk in as you go! Perhaps that's seen as a less classy approach to tea drinking, however I can never say no to a good chocolate digestive with mine or even a ginger nut or custard cream if I'm feeling adventurous.

Train Journeys

I seem to have spent a lot of my time on trains over this past year, so I have got to know the ins and outs of train travel.

Obviously the most annoying issue associated with this form of transport is the delays. It's typical when you think you're running late and end up in a fluster trying to make the train in time to then find out it's behind schedule...fffs.

Off-peak and peak are two terms which I have become much more familiar with. If I were to give one piece of advice it would be to never ever travel at peak time unless you absolutely have to! There's nothing worse than trying to squeeze onto a train with all the other sweaty people (getting a bit too close to comfort for my liking), then having to stand there for what seems like a lifetime until you can eventually get off and breathe again.

People in first class don't have this problem. They all laugh at us peasants from their nice comfy seats whilst sipping on their complimentary cup of coffee. Oh how I envy them. If I could afford it I would travel first class all the time.

One of the habits of many train travellers is what I like to call 'the hovering hand'. This is where one person assures everyone that they have the door button situation under control and has their hand ready to press it to open the door as soon as it lights up. It almost gives you a sense of satisfaction when you have the responsibility of pressing the button and setting everyone free, don't you think?

Student Stress

Every student reaches that point where they are on the verge of having a breakdown.

For some reason, when students are under stress they find the best solution is to not do any work and instead watch Jeremy Kyle for about 4 hours, have a nap, watch more Jeremy Kyle then complain that they haven't done any work by the end of the day. We're stupid right? 

Some students leave their assignment right to the last minute (and I mean RIGHT TO THE LAST MINUTE) I'm talking 5 minutes before the submission deadline...

Personally I can proudly say I have never done or EVER will do this. I honestly don't know how anyone can do it, I am stressed enough when it's not done with months to go...maybe I'm just a major stress head? Oh well.

Lists have become my favourite thing since being a student. I like to be organised. Shopping lists. Assignment schedules. It's so satisfying when you can tick something off your list, don't you think? Almost gives you peace of mind for a good 30 seconds...until you look at the next thing on the list.

Budgeting is also a constant struggle of mine. Never did I realise how stressful budgeting money would be until I had none in my bank account. When you think about how much you spend on food as a student...it's a lot. We eat ALL THE TIME. If someone asked me if I'd rather spend my money on a night out or a supermarket shop, I would go with the food no question about it. Maybe that's a bit sad for someone at my age? But I need to eat otherwise I will go insane.

My most used phrases since becoming a student are 'I can't afford it' or 'I have no money'. The worst thing is when people offer to pay for you like you're some charity cause, how insignificant does that make you feel? Like ugh, I'm trying to be an independent adult here.

I will have money one day. Once I have payed off my student debt of course...