As grad week comes to a close, I’m reflecting and realizing a few things. One; that I loved Exeter with its hills and quirks. Two; the people who took me in were way too patient and loving. And three; that my time in Exeter wasn’t my happiest.

The collective ‘We’ had said; University will be the best years of your life. When I asked why; they said it changes you. You'll grow as a person, learn somethings about the real world and maybe find a love or two. While it certainly has changed me, I don’t think it was for the best.

In truth; I'm leaving Exeter tired, drained - and a little lonely.

What happened?


3 years ago, I enrolled at the University of Exeter. A small city in Devon with a quayside and the highest tree-to-student ratio. I remember being excited to be somewhere new. It was unreal, I genuinely thought it was going to be for the best.

No one leaves Uni the same person they came. For instance, I don’t wear braces anymore among other differences. My hair has grown out and I embraced the sun. Some things stay the same though; my eyes slant when I smile and I still have no idea what I’m doing.

Honestly, I don’t. I’m surprised I made it this far.

Uni makes you feel both empowered and undermined. Everyone deserves to be here, but do you? Maybe you had slipped through the cracks, like a leech sucking off academia. Hyperbolically, of course. The hyperbole stems from some truth though. That thought lingers until it overwhelms you. This Uni is real and this world is real.

Something here is real, but it’s not you.


It felt like I had taken this opportunity of a lifetime to make sour memories and heartbreak. I studied what I did, but never fully embraced the Uni experience. I never went out more than once a month and joined few societies. More late nights were spent watching Netflix alone than with friends. I lost interest in writing and blogging despite promising I would update.

Instead, I missed friends and family. 8000 miles away with a 7 hour time difference. I’m not a texter so I rarely responded unless to send an appropriate cat gif. Everyone close to me was growing up, and the people around me were too grown up. Uni had not turned out the way I had expected - it was stagnant, tiring.

Hills don’t like me very much and the sporty lad culture clashed with my idealization of Uni. I wanted stories from Exeter; of endless nights and strobe lights. Instead, they were sleepless in a cluttered bedroom. The stories I do have are traumatic, boring and loveless. I wish they were better, then they’d be worth telling.


This isn't supposed to sound like I'm whining. I'm not.

I am forever grateful that I have had this opportunity. I got a Law degree from a Russell-Group University, I have made some life long friends and learn a few deep lessons I will carry with me forever. This isn't a complaint, just reflecting on University. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst.

If I could change anything, I would have set reasonable expectations on myself and University. I'd manage my time better and perhaps traveled more. Regardless, life moves on and so will I.

As Term 1 winds down, my friend and I sat down to answer some questions I received from Instagram.  This is my third Q&A up on my channel. This time around, there is a good reason. It can be considered educational since it is a Law School Q&A.

Enjoy!


A big thanks to my friend Sam Boughton for joining me in this Q&A. He's seen me break down in the library, I've seen him knock a bottle before an exam. It's a great friendship based on mutual hatred of law school.

You can follow him on Instagram here.

1 . Find a designated study space at home & elsewhere. A desk at home and perhaps a place outside, like a coffee shop or the local library. A minimal area with minimal distraction.

2 . Listen to music. Any white noise to help your brain focus on the material at hand. I recommend instrumentals rather than any current pop music.

3 . Create a studying agenda or a schedule. Figuring what you will study at a specific time helps your mind focus on the task at hand.

4 . Take breaks often, usually I study for 20 - 30 minute intervals and spend the next 5 - 10 minutes resting, by reading or knitting.

5 . Switch your phone on airplane mode, and laptop without wifi. Let's be honest. We'd get much more work done without internet.
6 . Find a time of day you would like to study. During A Levels, I would wake up at 4am to study, go in morning, and early evenings but I wouldn't touch a book in the afternoon.

7 . Get enough sleep, which is pretty hard. You'll get more work done when you have slept the full 8 hours, or at least 6-7 hours. If required…

8 . Take naps. I love naps, they are underrated. 20 - 30 minute power naps are perfect boosts during the day to get your mind recharged.s!

9 . Figure out your study plan or how you want to study. Some people use mind maps but I don’t like them. I prefer using Lined paper and writing notes there, with highlighters. It's up to you to find a preferred way of studying.

10 . Reward yourself. After a good study session, I eat chocolate because it does help boost your memory. At least that’s what I tell myself because I find any excuse to eat chocolate.

As a law student, I would like to pretend I use all the tips. In reality, I do the bare minimum to get through. As most of my friends do too. If you need more help, I compiled 13 study tips last year!

Still, I hope this does help you get through classes. O Level, A Level and the new semester is just around the corner after all. Yikes.


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