Things I wish I’d known as a fresher

Megan reflects on the things she’s learnt during her time at St Andrews.

I could tell you exactly what I wore on move-in day. Everyone I spoke to. Whom I sat with at dinner. I was the definition of a nervous little fresher unsure of myself and unsure of what the next four years have in store. Although I cannot provide a how-to guide for your next four years because everyone has a very different St Andrews experience, I can let you in on a few hints.

Source: Unsplash

I had grown used to doing well in school and, to put it as nicely as possible, I was far too aware of how well I did. However, coming to university, suddenly I had gone from comfortably sitting at the top to laying in the middle. Suddenly I was average. I was so naïve thinking I could start again at a top university, keeping at the same level because everyone in St Andrews has come from that level. In the beginning, I was far too harsh on myself. I couldn’t understand why I would continue getting the same mark on my essays without getting any better – the same thing with tutorials. The large discussions scared me to death because I was so afraid of getting things wrong that I wouldn’t speak unless I knew for sure I would be right.

It may not seem like it now, but these things fade. Eventually, I got into a rhythm, worked hard, and slowly but surely got better. As far as tutorials are concerned, yes, I still say things that may not be deemed academically correct but now I really do not care. Participating has been my greatest teacher because it puts me on the right path to success rather than struggling to find it on my own. Of course, it’s beyond easier said than done but there is no harm in being wrong. Trust me, at one point or another, my tutor warned me that my stress levels were raising her blood pressure but don’t be afraid to make mistakes in your classes or with assignments because there is absolutely nothing wrong with trying.

Finding your place in St Andrews is hard I will say that. Finding the friends you’ll keep throughout the year, knowing what societies to join these things can fix from the very start or not seem clear at all until the fourth year. In typical St Andrews fashion, however, my flatmate is the first person I spoke to as a fresher and I still have the same group of friends but that isn’t at all without its own ups and downs.  Same with societies, I knew to get involved with writing, but it wasn’t until 3rd year where I felt the confidence to take a leap of faith and join things like the charities campaign. If you’re thinking of giving something a go, do not hesitate. The opportunities are there, and they are there for you to take them.

Source: Unsplash

I was told this week that you either graduate from St Andrews in a relationship or an alcoholic. Unfortunately, I find the real love of my life to be a glass of wine so that’s where I’m at. Dating in St Andrews is nothing short of a nightmare. A nightmare I wouldn’t be able to fit in a weekly column, let alone a whole article and that’s just on my experiences alone. As a fresher, I seemed to have a very collective thought process that I would instantly meet someone here and that would be that. However, what I progressively realised was that in “the place to find your one true love”, I have found that love in my friends, and in a small town in East Fife.

That is not to say I haven’t given dating a good try. To name a few; I’ve dumped someone outside Costa, obsessed over someone who sat next to me in a lecture once, and asked a photographer at a ball if they were a photographer as a chat-up line despite the fact, they had just taken my picture. It’s been three years and too many embarrassing, cringe-worthy and horrible experiences later and all I can say is dating remains just the same; you can only seem to meet people in the union or the line for Shawarma. So, when you call home and they ask if you have met someone, but you are reeling from an awkward encounter or just feeling very single – freshers you can take solace in the fact that everyone bar a few annoyingly happy couples are in the same boat. I wouldn’t have it any other way though, there is a whole world outside our bubble, we might as well have these experiences now.

Source: Unsplash

So here I am, writing this three years later at the start of my final year. The constant thought of my dissertation looming and deadlines as always fast approaching. As a fresher, I looked up to those in fourth year. I would see them around town, at events, and think wow, I cannot wait to be them and to finally have my life together: to be able to walk around town like I own the place. Yet now here I am. In their incredibly stressful shoes. Slowly realising being a fourth year isn’t what you think it’s going to be. You don’t just wake up on the first day of classes and suddenly know what others don’t. I’ve simply gotten better at faking it till I make it and if I’m being honest, I’m still learning. There is no grand advice when it comes to university. Everyone has completely different experiences and there is no way to measure these to each other. However, the one consistency I have found is that friends are always just a call away in St Andrews. Whether it is looking stupid in a tutorial or a full-on breakdown, someone is always there, with a bottle of wine, ready to unpack.

Comments

comments

148 thoughts on “Things I wish I’d known as a fresher

  1. What i do not understood is in reality how you are
    now not really much more smartly-favored than you might be right now.
    You are so intelligent. You know therefore considerably relating to this subject, made me personally believe it from so many
    numerous angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be interested unless it is something to
    accomplish with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent.
    Always maintain it up!

  2. Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Superb choice of colors!

  3. There are actually a number of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a great point to carry up. I supply the ideas above as common inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you carry up where an important factor will likely be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged around things like that, however I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Each girls and boys feel the affect of just a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.

  4. Thank you, I’ve recently been looking for information about this topic for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you sure about the supply?

  5. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!

  6. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Thanks a lot!

  7. Simply wish to say your article is as astounding. The clearness for your put up is just excellent and i can suppose you are a professional on this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with approaching post. Thanks one million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

  8. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  9. Thanks for this article. I might also like to convey that it can end up being hard while you are in school and simply starting out to initiate a long credit history. There are many scholars who are simply trying to survive and have long or positive credit history can sometimes be a difficult thing to have.

  10. Generally I don’t read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite great post.

  11. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I’m quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

  12. I must express some appreciation to you for bailing me out of this type of setting. Right after looking out throughout the online world and finding basics which were not productive, I figured my entire life was over. Being alive without the approaches to the issues you have sorted out by way of this article is a critical case, as well as ones that could have badly affected my entire career if I hadn’t come across your website. Your capability and kindness in handling every part was helpful. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t come upon such a step like this. I can at this point look ahead to my future. Thanks a lot very much for your specialized and amazing guide. I will not think twice to refer your web blog to anybody who requires care about this issue.

  13. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  14. Excellent blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely confused .. Any ideas? Cheers!|

  15. There are definitely lots of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a great point to convey up. I supply the ideas above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you convey up the place the most important thing will be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged round things like that, but I’m sure that your job is clearly identified as a good game. Each girls and boys really feel the impact of only a second’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.

  16. I used to be very pleased to search out this internet-site.I wished to thanks for your time for this excellent read!! I positively having fun with every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.

  17. Almost all of the things you state is astonishingly appropriate and that makes me wonder the reason why I had not looked at this with this light before. This particular piece truly did switch the light on for me personally as far as this specific topic goes. Nonetheless at this time there is actually one particular position I am not really too comfortable with and whilst I attempt to reconcile that with the actual main theme of your position, let me see just what the rest of the readers have to point out.Nicely done.

  18. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  19. The subsequent time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I imply, I do know it was my choice to read, however I truly thought youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you could possibly fix when you werent too busy looking for attention.

  20. Skrill Casino: Bu Ödeme Tekniğini Tercih Etmeli Miyiz – paysafecard online casino Teklif
    hakkında daha fazla bilgi için Casino Heroes hüküm ve koşullarını inceleyin, bitcoin casinos y maquinas tragamonedas mincetur.
    Delik taramanın bir yöntemi, kararın çevrimiçi pokeri yasallaştırmak için savunucuların eline geçeceğini söyledi.
    Bir piyango oyunu için ücretsiz kuponlar.

  21. This design is spectacular! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  22. Thanks for the write-up. I have constantly noticed that a majority of people are wanting to lose weight simply because wish to show up slim as well as attractive. Nonetheless, they do not always realize that there are more benefits for losing weight additionally. Doctors insist that obese people have problems with a variety of ailments that can be directly attributed to their particular excess weight. Fortunately that people who are overweight along with suffering from diverse diseases are able to reduce the severity of their particular illnesses by losing weight. It is possible to see a slow but noted improvement with health whenever even a moderate amount of fat loss is achieved.

  23. I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again

  24. I figured out more interesting things on this fat loss issue. One issue is that good nutrition is extremely vital any time dieting. A huge reduction in bad foods, sugary ingredients, fried foods, sweet foods, beef, and whitened flour products might be necessary. Possessing wastes organisms, and wastes may prevent goals for losing belly fat. While selected drugs in the short term solve the matter, the terrible side effects are usually not worth it, and so they never offer more than a short lived solution. It is just a known idea that 95 of diet plans fail. Many thanks sharing your ideas on this blog.

  25. Usually I don’t read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice article.

  26. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

  27. I intended to send you this very small word just to say thanks a lot again over the exceptional tactics you’ve contributed on this site. This is certainly seriously generous of you in giving easily precisely what a lot of people might have made available for an e book in making some profit for themselves, and in particular since you could have tried it if you wanted. Those guidelines additionally served to provide a easy way to be sure that the rest have the identical eagerness much like my own to know the truth a good deal more with reference to this issue. I am certain there are thousands of more enjoyable times ahead for those who scan through your website.

  28. Good – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task.

  29. Undeniably consider that that you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the
    internet the easiest thing to keep in mind of. I say to you, I certainly get irked at the same time as people think about concerns that
    they plainly do not understand about. You managed to hit the nail upon the highest and outlined out the
    entire thing without having side-effects , other people could take a signal.
    Will likely be again to get more. Thank you

  30. I think other web-site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and fantastic user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!

  31. I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent information I was looking for this information for my mission.

  32. Today, with all the fast lifestyle that everyone leads, credit cards have a huge demand in the economy. Persons coming from every discipline are using the credit card and people who not using the card have made up their minds to apply for one in particular. Thanks for sharing your ideas in credit cards.

  33. I think other web-site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and wonderful user friendly style and design, let alone the content. You are an expert in this topic!

  34. I am really enjoying the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A number of my blog audience have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?

  35. obviously like your web-site but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth nevertheless I’ll definitely come back again.

  36. I have realized that online degree is getting well-known because accomplishing your college degree online has turned into a popular alternative for many people. A huge number of people have not necessarily had an opportunity to attend a conventional college or university nonetheless seek the elevated earning potential and a better job that a Bachelor Degree grants. Still other individuals might have a qualification in one training but would choose to pursue something they now possess an interest in.

  37. Howdy very cool website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally…I’m satisfied to seek out numerous helpful information here within the publish, we need work out extra strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  38. Just desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is just great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.

  39. Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Thank you

  40. One thing I’d prefer to reply to is that fat burning plan fast may be possible by the perfect diet and exercise. A person’s size not simply affects the look, but also the general quality of life. Self-esteem, depressive disorders, health risks, and also physical skills are impacted in excess weight. It is possible to make everything right but still gain. Should this happen, a condition may be the offender. While too much food rather than enough work out are usually responsible, common health conditions and key prescriptions can easily greatly help to increase size. Thanks a bunch for your post right here.

  41. I’m still learning from you, but I’m trying to reach my goals. I absolutely liked reading everything that is posted on your website.Keep the information coming. I loved it!

  42. you are in point of fact a excellent webmaster. The website loading pace is amazing. It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a fantastic activity on this matter!

  43. I’ve learned some important things as a result of your post. I’d personally also like to express that there may be a situation where you will have a loan and never need a cosigner such as a National Student Support Loan. When you are getting a borrowing arrangement through a regular banker then you need to be willing to have a cosigner ready to assist you. The lenders will probably base that decision on a few elements but the most important will be your credit standing. There are some creditors that will in addition look at your work history and make up your mind based on this but in most cases it will depend on your score.

  44. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!

  45. In these days of austerity along with relative anxiety about having debt, a lot of people balk contrary to the idea of having a credit card in order to make purchase of merchandise or even pay for any occasion, preferring, instead to rely on the particular tried in addition to trusted way of making repayment – hard cash. However, if you have the cash there to make the purchase completely, then, paradoxically, that is the best time for you to use the cards for several factors.

  46. I really enjoy examining on this website, it contains good articles. “Don’t put too fine a point to your wit for fear it should get blunted.” by Miguel de Cervantes.

  47. Simply want to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your post is simply nice and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

  48. Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the outstanding work!

  49. You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time go after your heart. “The most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it.” by Michel de Montaigne.

  50. I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I’m quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  51. Thanks for expressing your ideas. The one thing is that college students have a selection between federal student loan and also a private education loan where it truly is easier to opt for student loan debt consolidation than in the federal education loan.

  52. A lot of of what you say is astonishingly appropriate and that makes me ponder the reason why I had not looked at this with this light previously. This article really did turn the light on for me personally as far as this specific subject goes. Nevertheless at this time there is one point I am not too cozy with so while I make an effort to reconcile that with the actual central idea of the issue, allow me observe exactly what the rest of your visitors have to say.Well done.

  53. Very good site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!

  54. I like the valuable info you supply for your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and test once more here frequently. I’m reasonably sure I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the following!

  55. I do believe all the concepts you have presented in your post. They are really convincing and can definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for beginners. Could you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

  56. I simply wanted to say thanks again. I do not know what I would’ve followed without the actual information contributed by you regarding such a topic. Certainly was a real terrifying setting in my view, nevertheless finding out this expert form you handled it took me to leap with delight. I am grateful for this information and in addition hope you recognize what a great job your are carrying out teaching people using your webpage. I know that you’ve never met all of us.

  57. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.

  58. My spouse and i have been very excited when Louis managed to conclude his preliminary research because of the ideas he made through the web site. It’s not at all simplistic to simply choose to be making a gift of helpful hints that many others have been selling. We really remember we need you to give thanks to for that. The main illustrations you’ve made, the easy site menu, the relationships you help instill – it’s got many spectacular, and it’s really assisting our son in addition to the family reckon that the issue is fun, and that is quite indispensable. Many thanks for everything!

  59. Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions? Thanks

  60. Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.

  61. Pingback: Beverly Bultron
  62. Pingback: Higher education
  63. Pingback: Hot Plates
  64. Pingback: Graduate Studies

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND