It was not at all conventional and I didn't end up lasting very long, there were curfews, lockdowns, online learning and no freshers. Leaving and joining Bangor the following year was the best thing for my mental health, although, I was quite certain that I wasn't going to make any friends, I was going specifically to get my degree and to work part time; it ended up being quite the opposite. I reconnected with old friends from home, met new people who were totally unknown to me ranging from Anglesey, to Liverpool, to Montana, I've gathered quite the mix of people!

Ok so my first day at Bangor University. I don't remember much except that it was the only day I've worn jeans to uni for the last 3 years, every ounce of effort went out the window after that first day.

Before starting uni I created a Facebook and added myself to lots of different groups and chats, things like accommodation and course chats, as well as following all the societies on Instagram. I met one of my best friends via a Facebook chat. Actually, met is a strong word, she put a message on an offer holders group asking if anyone else would be studying English, I replied that I was too, and got ghosted. When I asked her about how we first met on our frequent Maccies therapy trips we only remembered the awkward meeting as described below. It was only last year we found the old messages and thought it was hilarious, and fate obvs.

On our first day, I remember congregating outside the Main Arts building in Bangor with a bunch of random girls I'd met on a Bangor snapchat group, we were honestly like year 7's.

We went off in our pairs to try to find our lecture rooms and that’s how I ended up finding Ellie, see above paragraph about the girl who ghosted me. In all fairness, I still get lost trying to find rooms even in the 3rd year, I work there too, nothing more embarrassing than having to ask the people you work with where to go, when your job is literally guiding people around the uni.

We quickly settled in, after your first week, you'll tend to be in the same rooms for the rest of the semester, so once you've found your room you should be set at least till January when you'll get different timetables and choose different modules. The workload was so different to what I'd been used to in sixth form. On top of lectures (which roughly take about 13hrs of your week), you'll have weekly reading and preparations for 3 different modules as well as mid-terms around the corner for each. You'll have a lot of support and leniency in your first year, although it's always best to come prepared! You might even decide to work as I did, I worked roughly 16hrs per week in my first year and am currently down to 8hrs per week in year 3, it's entirely possible and a good way of meeting new people, improving your CV and getting a good work/work balance! Also, find time for yourself...so important.

As for working, the uni offers so many different options regarding work, such as internship options, information regarding volunteering or internal jobs (such as Student Ambassador - helping out on open days etc). I've found that this is such a good way of improving your CV and really getting the most out of your uni experience. Although, one thing I would definitely recommend if you have the means, is to travel during your summer, especially if you're able to save some money or you're living at home like I was. I did a summer with Camp America after my first year and truly got the travel bug. Not that I'm trying to tempt you (I definitely am), but you'll probably only have 3 long summers left before your working life (unless you put it off longer like me and end up applying for a masters). Spend your time doing something for yourself and separating yourself from work, it definitely doesn't need to be travel, but you'll need the break after your time at uni!

I'm probably not the best person to discuss joining societies, Ellie and I lasted approximately one session in the netball society before taking ourselves to Maccies and rewarding ourselves for all the hard work we'd put in.

Jokes aside, there are so many to choose from, ranging massively, such as creative societies, language societies, LGBTQIA+ and your usual sports types. One thing to note, is that you don't have to be professionals like Ellie and I to attend, you can be at any capability, it's just a great way of meeting people. They're totally free to attend and normally put on socials night if you like to go out, or if not, just attending can be a great way of getting out of your comfort zone. Most people tend to turn up alone so don't be too nervous!

I'm now in my 3rd year with approx. 2 months left of studies. It's stressful, and different to school and college, you'll definitely have to put the work in to achieve the grades you'll need to pass. But honestly, it's been the best experience. I was so undecided between courses that in the end I took a joint honours (two degrees halved) and it settled my stresses about not knowing what I wanted to do (ref. Sociology and English Literature if anyone is interested!). It's helped narrow down what I enjoy and what my strengths are. Working during my time of study, especially within the uni has built my confidence so much, and even made me think of wanting to work in that type of environment in the future. 10/10 would recommend.