My university experience...

Just a word of warning, make sure you're sitting comfortably (maybe even with a cup of tea) because this is going to be a long one. This post is all about my experience at university with a bit of advice thrown in. 

I've just finished my final year at university with a 2:1, a mark that I am so proud of and something that a few weeks ago I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get. I went to Birmingham City University to study Visual Communication, specialising in photography, the same uni that beauty vlogger and blogger Lily Pebbles went to. On my first day of university, I knew no one, I moved into halls where I again knew no one. It is a very daunting thing, I moved in to a flat where no one really spoke to each other and none of us to this day do. I had to go out there and find my own friends. In the first year I made friends with two other girls from my block of flats, Gemma and Amy. To this day these girls are two people that I know I'll be friends forever with them. I don't think I would have made it through my first year without those two. (We actually ended up living together the next year!) So I'm pleased that I didn't speak to or get along with my housemates other wise I would have never met these girls. Even when you feel like you'll never find someone like you in those first few weeks of uni, you eventually will! Trust me.

Social life was a huge part of what made my university experience what it was. I wouldn't have nearly enjoyed it as much as I did if I hadn't have gone out and explored the city I was living in. Make the most of being independent in another city because before you know it those three or four years have flown by and you'll probably be moving back home again. It is fun to go out every night but remember how gutted you will feel if you don't get the mark you came to university for. I had to learn when was the right time to go out and especially in the stressful final year. You really need to think about what is more important, your degree or another drunken night out. University is hard work and I don't just mean the learning part of it. This is the time in your life where you learn about paying bills, cleaning, managing your money & time and possibly even a job. One thing that I will say is please don't go because your school, mum, dad, friends or boyfriend have told you to. Go because you want to and you feel that this something that is really going to help you in the future. 

I feel with creative courses that they can be a bit of a waste of time, you can spend a lot of time wondering what you paid all this money for. I only started to enjoy mine during the last term of second year. This was due to me putting myself out there, working with bloggers I liked and catering the course to my interests in fashion. I would say that if you are able to get some practical experience or an apprenticeship - GO FOR IT. It's the best way to get yourself in the industry because no one is going to come looking for you, you need to go looking for them. University is not the only thing to do after leaving sixth form/college. However the good thing about university's are the resources and the tutors. You're never going to be able to have such good access to equipment for free or at such a cheap rate ever again in your life! My uni relocated to a really nice new building during my last year and I was a bit of an idiot for not making good use of facilities. Tutors do want to help you most of the time, you just have to pester them sometimes until you get what you want. If you find a tutor you like, stay in contact. It's great to have a reference like that for your CV as they know your creative style and personality.

Now let's talk money: I was one of the luckier people that before the conservatives came into power I only needed to pay around £3.5k a year for my course. There's some people at my university paying nearly triple this just for one year. That's nearly all of my tuition fees spent in a year! It's a lot of money. Really think about how else you would use this money before going. Sure, you don't need to pay it back until your earning again but you could be investing all of this money into equipment, short courses and other experiences. If you feel you are going to struggle with money see if you can get yourself a part-time job. I worked right up until the end of my course and the extra £300 or so going into my bank account each month made my life a lot easier. There are also loads of grants and funding out there, people do have money that they can help you out with you just need to look for it!

I can only tell you about my experience of university and taking part in a creative course however other bloggers have spoke about their experiences, you can see Olivia's and Lily's here. I really hope you found this little guide to university helpful. If you have any questions please let me know in the comments below!

Daisy