A NOTE TO MY FIRST YEAR SELF

There are so many things I would love to scream in the face of fresher Livvie and I am gonna note a few down for anyone starting their first year or for anyone who will relate.

Firstly, everything is going to be so overwhelming when you first start, you are going to miss home like never before and panic you have made an awful decision. There are going to be times when you want to drop out, give up and move back, but I can’t insist how crucial persistence and resilience is within these times.

You are going to pre judge people, comparing them to your old friends. Give people time and let them get to know you before writing them off and shutting yourself in your room. Mingle, go to smoking areas of clubs just to chat to others. 75% of uni friendships are made in communal smoking areas whether you smoke or not, it’s a chance to meet people in a relaxed environment and chat. Some people you will never speak to again and some will go on to be your bridesmaids, give it time.

Be sensible with your money.


Don’t go to urban outfitters when your loan drops, I guarantee you that you will hate everything you bought a year later. 

DO NOT BUY THOSE BASIC B FILA DISRUPTORS IN SCHUH YOU ARE BETTER THAN THAT AND WILL HATE THEM IN TWO MONTHS.

Be rebellious. If you want to get a piercing, dye your hair or cut it all off just do it. It is character building and the best time to do it. In years to come you can show your kids university you with pink hair and an eyebrow piercing.

Get a routine. Go to uni, eat well and join a gym. It is easy to slack when you don’t have parents structuring your life for you. Don’t get up after 11, go to Aldi and don’t rinse uber eats.

Get a job. It is the best time within your university experience to commit to one don’t let people tell you otherwise. You don’t wanna be that person in interviews in 3 years’ time that’s never even had a part time job and has no experience in a working environment, it will set you back and further into your overdraft.

There are going to be days when you may not even leave your room to interact with others, eat or shower. Don’t let these dark days take over, talk to someone. It is so easy to shut yourself off from the world when nobody is chasing you.

Sleep properly and eat clean. If you are feeling low, good sleep and some healthy food will at least help your body work towards happiness even if your mind is struggling.

You are going to get through it. You will find your people and you will settle. Call your parents as much as you need to, they’ll always be on the other end to help you. Don’t shut them off and keep them in the dark with how you are getting on.

Have more fun and go out more!!! For the love of god turn off series 1000 of Desperate Housewives which you have been rinsing for 3 weeks. When people invite you out, GO. Don’t say your tired and then watch 5 more episodes in your neon hole of a bedroom til 4am.

Don’t compare yourself to other people. You will meet people from all different backgrounds, don’t think that makes you any better or worse than any of them. Nobody is better or more worthy than you. So what if someone is some rich Londoner or big city boy, don’t let it intimidate or lessen your glow.

 Listen to everyone’s opinions and political views, debate and learn. Take people’s advice on board and spend time getting to know their stories. Don’t be afraid to speak out and challenge people when you don’t agree. Don’t supress your opinions because you fear how others will react. People are dicks and need to be told sometimes.

Your body is going to change A LOT. You are going to gain two stone in your first term (she really did that) and you are going to lose it again in a matter of weeks, but don’t make yourself ill because of it.

Stop eating cheesy spaghetti five times a week and pizzas on the other two. You wonder why you gained stones and then stuff yourself with alcohol, Italian cuisine and sweets.

Do your uni reading. Don’t have the attitude that if nobody is checking you can get away with not doing it. This is the biggest first year mistake that everyone makes. The jokes on you as you are the one paying 9 grand a year to not understand your seminar because you didn’t spare an hour to actually prepare for your 2-hour slot a week you are actually being taught.

Go on awkward first dates so you can re tell the tales in third year cringing at your previous self. Get slaughtered at shit flat parties so they are more bareable and go to shitty students’ events sometimes with your mates, they are always the funniest memories.

Don’t forget about your old friends. It’s easy to lose touch with others as you will be so consumed within your new bubble, but don’t let that weaken bonds with your roots. Go visit all your friends at different uni’s, you will have the best times running around foreign accommodations and going to the vending machines at 4am giggling.

Be kind to yourself and go home for cuddles even if the coach is 5 hours. Snuggles with your parents are worth it.

Don’t compare your uni experience to everyone else’s you are seeing on social media. It is very easy to promote the best bits of your life and hide the dark times. Don’t let endless pictures of prinks and nights out compare to what you are getting up to. Everyone has their down days and will most likely not post them on social media, you aren’t the odd one out.

Be fearless, stick with it and speak to people about how you are feeling.