Defying Freshers' Week

I'm moving into university on Sunday. I can't wait to go, although I'm beginning to realise how quickly life moves on. After refereeing on Saturday afternoon, I'll be going to bed knowing that the next day, all of my things will have been moved further into Manchester, and within a few hours of unpacking, I'll be cooking my first meal out of home. The next day, I'll be up at 7am - comfortably the earliest I've woken up in the last 8 weeks - and I'll be in a lecture at 9am - comfortably the earliest I've done something worthwhile in the last 8 weeks.

Plenty of people bang on about the "university experience", and this typically means going out a lot and drinking plenty. The University of Manchester have an offer of a £50 wristband that will get you four nights out on Freshers' Week. I've heard almost everyone buys this wristband, so if you don't get it, you're 'missing out'. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a night out but there's no version of next week where I see myself going out four times. The more I think about it, the more I decide that once a week is enough for me, although I can accept twice a week at times. If there are as many options open to me as every university has preached, then I find an hour on a tennis or badminton court or in the swimming pool or gym much more enticing than multiple nights out.

As I've not made any plans to go out at all next week, I'm wondering whether or not I'd benefit from not going out. Yes, I'd probably meet a lot more people, but I'd rather make fewer friends with more in common than have too many to juggle that I'm not exactly hitting it off with. If my demands of more sport and less nights out are too much for some, then I guess that's tough luck on me. I've spent my summer living life on my own terms - it may seem selfish but it means I stay true to who I am and I'm not changing that now.

Oli :)
Twitter: @Chowerz

Thinking about uni

I am one of a few hundred thousand people starting university next month. I'm excited and can't wait for it to start, especially because I've worked hard to get here and I'm looking forward to everything to come. However, one year ago I wasn't even sure I was going, so here are my thoughts on how you should think about university.

If you're set on going to university, pick a course that excites you, not what your friends are doing or what your parents want you to do. This is your life and university is the most independent thing you'll do until you move out, so pick something that you'll be happy with. Also pick a good place to live, especially one you feel comfortable in. If you're living somewhere you like, you'll get way more out of your experience and it'll help you get a better degree. After all, it's the degree you're there for, right?

If you're not sure whether uni's the right thing for you, that's fine. No one's forcing you to go, again, it's entirely your choice. Having a degree can boost your CV, but you'll need at least a 2:1 to have it make an impact. Plenty of people aren't certain as to which subject to study, which is where taking a gap year can help. Maybe getting work experience from businesses in different industries will eliminate what you don't want to do, and narrow your options down to something specific. Alternatively, you might want to pick something a bit out of the blue that sounds cool. I was loosely set on taking Biomedical Sciences, but picked Neuroscience because it sounded cool. And it does sound cool.

Don't forget, university is not the only option in life. There are so many other things you can do that, most of all, it's important to keep a broad perspective and be open to doing anything.

Oli
Twitter: @Chowerz

Time for a change

Continuity is often good in life. Some people like having a consistent routine that means they are able to do the right things at the right times. For example, going to bed at 10:30pm and sleeping for 8 hours is a good routine to get in to, as it means you're getting enough sleep every night to function properly for the next day.

However, at times continuity can be a hindrance. For example, in cricket, a bowling change will carry a greater chance of taking a wicket. If a batsman faces a bowler for a long spell, they will more than likely work out a way of scoring runs off him. If there is a change of bowler, the batsman has to get used to a different line, length, pace etc. Therefore an unexpected change can create a chance to win a game.

At times, continuity can also get you bored stiff. For example, mixing with the same group of people can mean you get too used to each other's habits and things get predictable. Deciding to hang out with others can be a breath of fresh air - different people can bring different things to the table, and such variety is nothing but good, I'm sure of that. Even if it means only mixing it up every now and again, it brings way more positives than you can possibly imagine.

Don't be afraid to change something. I can be stubborn at times, but making a change can certainly make a big difference in life. And just think of the endless possibilities of that...

Oli
Twitter: @Chowerz

P.S. been working since last Monday, which is why the blog has been empty for a week :/