7 Reasons Why You Should Appreciate Your Time at University ...

By Ellie

If you’re currently in full-time education, then I really, really want you to enjoy your time at university. It might be different if you’ve taken time off to work in between studies, but I went straight from school, to college, to university. That meant I didn’t really have any understanding of what having a full-time job is really like, and I feel like I could have done so much more with my time now I know what it’s like when someone else owns most of it. So, here’s why you should enjoy your time at university and make the most of it!

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1

Time to Work

One thing about your time at university is that you have a lot of it – I never had a part time job whilst I was studying and I really wish I had. If you live in a student town, then there should be plenty going, on and off campus. I didn’t want to give up my time with my books and my friends, but really I would have been better giving up my time sat in front of reality TV with a bowl of super noodles. Relish only having to work for a couple of days a week and save the money for all the exciting things that make up student life.

2

Friend Time

Since my friends and I have all left university, it’s much harder for us all to find a time where we can meet up. In a way, that makes the time we do have together more precious, but it also makes it more of a headache to arrange. I wish I’d appreciated the fact that I saw my close friends every day, went out two or three times a week and lived in such a community environment more. Being a grown-up is a bit lonely.

3

Do Your Reading!

Ah, how I wish I had done more of the assigned reading. I don’t know about you, but we all thought that the chapters we were told to read each week were more like suggestions, rather than obligations. I had so much spare time to read but I didn’t utilize it properly. I really think organising my time better would have helped me out immensely. Don’t make excuses for why you can’t do that reading – you have the time. I know you do, because I was you!

4

Volunteer

One thing I did do at university (and I’m really pleased I did) was volunteer. Chances are, you will never get the same opportunities to do so again. I’ve tried to get back into volunteering since I’ve started working, but with a 9-6 job, the hours often just don’t work. There are so many brilliant things to choose from and you should be able to fit them around your lectures with little inconvenience.

5

The Build-up

This is a bit of a niche one; I am a massive fan of Christmas. In fact, any kind of holiday. It’s coming up to Christmas now and there’s normally lots of people you want to see; family, friends, colleagues. BUT THERE ARE SO FEW WEEKENDS. You have so much time at university to get excited about things; about Christmas, about the summer, about the fancy dress party at the weekend. I love that excitement; you should bask in it whilst you have the time to enjoy it.

Famous Quotes

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

George Santayana
6

You Can Make Mistakes

OK, so don’t momentarily fluff up your degree – but university is a time where you can make mistakes and they won’t feel like the end of the world. Personally, I feel like a mistake at work is a BIG deal, even little ones. These people don’t have to have me here, they don’t have to pay me – there’s so many others waiting to take my place! That is generally how my thought process goes. At university, it feels like you have more freedom to feel your way; it’s expected, and you’ll be guided.

7

The Only Time

University is likely to be the only time where you can legitimately devote 100% of your time to learning without profit; you have days, weeks and years to fill your mind with whatever you choose to fill it with; to learn new skills; to start playing something you’ve always wanted to play and to make new friends. I know it sounds cheesy, but this is a unique time in your life. Don’t waste it.

Obviously, there are things about working full-time that are great, and preferable in some ways to studying. After all, life has to go on, right? I often look back at periods or events in my life and wish I enjoyed them more, never really understanding why I didn’t make the most of them. That’s why I’ve written this post. Go squeeze the heck out of life!

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