Farewell

Time has flown past and my time at university seems to have come to an end as quickly as it began. Graduation is complete and I am now officially no longer a student at the University of Leicester!

Before I started uni I was often told by people that had been to uni that it is a ‘once in a lifetime experience’. At the time I didn’t really understand or believe it, probably much in the same way that you might be hesitant to believe me when I say the same to you. It is easy to understand the value of that BA, BSc, MSci etc, but much harder to explain the value university beyond that qualification.

University has provided some of the best memories, friends and achievements so far in my life but it has also provided me with some of my hardest and most difficult challenges. There were times when it was really tough and I genuinely worried that I might not be able to make it though. I feel that this is a really important thing for me to say, not to put anyone off,  far from it in fact. We have to face all sorts of challenges in ours lives and my experiences at Leicester University, both good and difficult, have prepared me for these challenges in a way that I don’t think any other path could have provided. University also provides great support networks not just through official services such as student welfare, student mental wellbeing and the careers service (all services that were invaluable to me, check out the links if you want to know what they do to look after Leicester students), but also through the personal connections you make with staff and fellow students.

If I were to go back in time and tell a younger, pre-university me some of the things I have achieved over the past few years I know that she wouldn’t believe me. Don’t get me wrong, I still have much more to learn (always room for improvement!), but university has helped me to grow, not just academically but socially and personally in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. I have changed a lot from the unconfident girl I once was.

As I am sure you have guessed from the title, I am afraid it is unfortunately time for me to bid you farewell as I reach the end of my university career*.  I have very much enjoyed my time blogging for you; I hope that you have managed to get at least a little something out of reading and sharing in my experiences. Even though sometimes it was tough, it was all worth it for the pride I felt in that graduation hall. Braving postgraduate life is a little scary but I know my four years here have been well spent and I am ready to face whatever comes my way.

I leave the Natural Sciences blog in the more than capable hands of my friend and coursemate, David. Make sure you badger him with lots of questions!

Who would have thought that four years could go so quickly…

*For now… I do intend to be back in the uni environment soon for a PhD!