When major aspects of our lives come to an end, we start to appreciate and miss it more than ever. In my experience, this certainly rings true when you graduate from the University of Roehampton.
Personal Tutor
I had a great relationship with my personal tutor, and there’s no shame in admitting you will miss their engaging lessons, words of support and encouragement, and the conversations and laughter you shared together.
Studying Your Favourite Course
Just waking up in the morning knowing you are going to study a subject you’re truly passionate about brings ultimate happiness and excitement in your life. As soon as University was over, I missed spending three years studying my favourite course.
Independence
If you live away from home, you would have established newfound independence. You can live your life exactly the way you want to without having your parents around to stop you. Want to listen to music loudly at 3 in the morning? You sure can! Want to party every day? You sure can! Want to eat crisps for dinner? You sure can! But when I graduated, I moved back home β your parents having a go at you because you woke them up for listening to music loudly at 3 in the morning, that’s the very moment you scream to yourself βI WANT MY INDEPENDENCE BACKβ!
Friends
The friendships you form at university have a great impact on your experience, as you create fond memories together β such as chatting away and laughing at social events and in your shared accommodation. If it wasn’t for your friends, university without a doubt wouldn’t be as enjoyable and memorable for you. After graduation, I went from seeing my friends every day at university to not as often as I would like to. You all go down different paths, moving back home, pursuing further studies or securing full-time work, and this can make meeting up regularly more difficult. During the times I spent apart from my university friends, I just wished I could go back to chatting away and laughing with them everyday at Roehampton.
Freedom
While at University, my timetable would usually consist of lessons running for two to four hours per day which means I had plenty of free time during the day to study, volunteer, listen to music and participate in any other activities which interested me. However, before you know it, your days of freedom may suddenly be over and you will have to get used to working 9 to 5 while wishing you were catching up on your favourite television programme in your pyjamas instead!.
Being surrounded by so many people your own age
University is one of the very few places where you are surrounded by thousands of people your own age, who are mostly in the same stage in life as you. Most would have left home for the very first time at the age of 18 or 19, just finished college or sixth form, and have their whole lives ahead of them. I found it very comforting knowing many others could relate to me. As soon as you leave university and enter the world of full time work, you may find it harder to meet a large number of young people β this is when I started to wish that I hadn’t taken for granted how easy it was to meet so many people my age at university.
Long summer breaks
Over the four-month summer break, I got to spend time relaxing and chilling and catching up with friends without having any upcoming essays and exams to worry about. Once you graduate and start working full time, you’ll be lucky to get a two-month break!Β I didn’t realise just how fortunate I was to have a long break over the summer.
Partying
With parties taking place frequently in Monte Hall, the Union Bar, halls of residence and student houses, there’s no denying that partying can be a huge part of university life. At events such as BOP, dressing up as Mickey Mouse and showcasing your cheesiest moves on the dance floor is perfectly acceptable and is part of having a good time at Roehampton! However, when you start working full time, you may find that after a long, tiring week at work, you are too knackered to party regularly. Not only that, when you attend work parties, you may have to put the days of crazy outfits and wild behaviour behind you, or else you will be creating an unprofessional impression that won’t go down well with your employers.
Surroundings
The University of Roehampton campus is truly beautiful. Nothing makes you feel more at peace than taking a moment to freely explore and embrace the stunning views β from watching the swans in the lake, to eating your lunch on Froebel Lawn on a lovely hot day. I quickly missed walking around the campus.
Joining Societies
At university, you are given the chance to participate in a diverse range of societies, such as Cheerleading, Disney and Debating, as much as you want throughout the academic year. Joining societies enables you to explore your own interests, broaden your horizons and discover new hobbies. If you enjoy watching films, the Film Society would be perfect for you and if you’re a fan of drama and decide to join the Writing Society, you may uncover a newfound passion for writing. Getting involved in societies is what makes university great fun! After I graduated, I found it more difficult to find clubs that I can regularly commit to alongside full time work.
For those of you who are currently studying at Roehampton, make the most of every single second. Once you graduate, you’ll probably miss being a university student and wish you could start all over again.