Hello everyone, I hope your all doing well so far in this college semester. This is my first diary entry as a first year in NUI Galway. It has been challenging to decide what topics I would touch on in this entry but to be honest, I’m still getting used to everything even though I have been on campus for nearly two months! First year can only be described as a whirlwind of events. I have blinked and suddenly it’s week seven and I have four assignments due as well as a backlog of readings to follow up on. It feels like only yesterday that I moved into my apartment bringing half my life and all of my clothes to Galway. (I own a lot of clothes !!).
It is fair to say there are a lot of ‘firsts’ in coming to college. Living independently, sleeping in a new bed, and living with strangers from across the country. Taking a gamble hoping you get on with your housemates and most importantly praying that they’re not too messy. Independence in college teaches you a lot about yourself. It gives you the space to explore the kind of person you can be without the influence of others. This freedom also means you have your own food shop, chores and washing to do which isn’t glamorous. Last night I found myself running across the road to the shop to buy toilet roll and bin liners. This is the reality of college!
As college is still such a new experience, I tend to forget there are so many new opportunities here, people to meet and encounters to be had. The only problem is that I find it impossible to balance everything. Each hour of the day flies by and I don’t find the time between day and night as I’m enjoying myself so much. Every time I open Outlook or Blackboard (when its working!) I can be guaranteed I will find a lecture sitting there to be caught up on or an essay to be started. Between Harvard style citation, academic essays, and plagiarism there are a few things I’m not too excited to learn about.
I cannot lie – procrastination has really been my worst enemy since I started in college. Even sitting here writing this piece in the library, I’m thinking of the mountain of work that is waiting for me. I have been assured many times though that as long as I’m a student in college I will be behind until the last ever assignment I hand in! There have been a few all-nighters already which resulted in high levels of caffeine and sugar being consumed. Leaving important things to the last minute and causing unnecessary stress has always been a great quality of mine!
Even though the thought of college two months ago was so daunting but exciting, I have been very lucky with my experience so far. Living with great housemates, loving my course, meeting new friends, and eating too much Boojum have been just some of my highlights. Even though I know it’s only the beginning, I know my years in college will fly. Making the most of my time here is very important so I want to try new things, eat in new places and enjoy student life! Honestly, I think this time in college will be the most exciting and I can’t wait to see what happens next!