REFLECTION ON MOVING UNIVERSITIES

After writing my blog post about my university experience last year and my process of dropping out and starting at a new university this year I thought I would update you and tell you about the experience of moving and reflecting on my choices. First of all I am actually happy I completed the year at UCA, as I only really decided in February that I was 100% leaving there was only a few months left and it would have been a waste of time and money to leave that point and I actually came out of the year with a qualification for completing a year of Advertising, I also got to go on an industry day where we visited Tracy Locke Ad agency which was an amazing experience to see what it was actually like to work there and in that sector. I feel like I have more experience than others which will benefit me when going for jobs but I've already found that it has benefited me this year with my work at NTU as I learnt theories and strategies and more creative thinking last year. Advertising is still something I am really interested in for the future so I feel it was benefical to me in the long run, when I was there I definetly didn't think so, I carried on hating it but I came out better in the end. I regret coming home as much as I did but I don't think I could have got through it otherwise. I did also widen my friendships when I choose to stay to really try and make the most of my time there and I actually made some amazing friends near the end which I am so greatful for. I learnt sooo much from my time there, I feel like it really prepared me for my time at Trent. I understood how uni worked, I'd seen the difference between uni and school so it wasn't as big of a step for me, I learnt to live alone, I learnt to throw myself into everything and go out of my comfort zone and so much independence. I used to travel through London up to Nottingham alone every week which I would have never done before, I did the whole UCAS process alone, I sorted all my open days, looking at course and applying to everything all on my own, very different to doing it in school. When I started at Trent I knew what to expect with living, friends and the course so I wasn't to overwhelmed and I knew to try and meet as many people as possible and join any extras to spread my circle and literally talk to anyone which in the long run has really benefited my experience and I haven't felt as lonely as I did last year.

Something I was worried about was being older than other people, but honestly so many people are over 18 for a variety of reasons so I haven't felt out of place at all, I am only 1 year older but at our age its a big difference. I've met a couple people who dropped out of uni last year as well which made me feel better.

But overall I am so so much happier in Nottingham and it was the best decision I ever made so honestly if you are not happy where you are or with what you are doing, just change it, it's not as hard as I expected and the outcome is so worth it. The course here is so much better fitting to me and I have loved all of the experience I have had whilst being here.