A Reflection on my year at University: Freshers advice

Second year is like the middle child of university. 

You have the fresher, which is the golden era of your life; you drink most nights, then sleep most days, missing your 9ams every Thursday but somehow still making it to Casa the next day. Then there is third year, which though I have yet to experience, I’ve heard it's quite hellish, spending most days in the library and losing any stamina you had in second year to go out. Second year is a grey area, some people find it an easy transition from clubbing to pubbing at all hours of the day, and others are blessed with the second-year house curse, which involves lots of mould and damp, and bickering with your housemates. 

If you are a fresher and reading this thinking 'I have got a great landlord', you probably don’t. Sorry. 

Regardless though, second year has been a journey, a fun one but also a harsh glimpse into adulthood. The realisation dawns that there will always be that secondary school drama you thought you’d left behind, and a tiresome weekly food shop when you only have £10 to your name. Speaking the truth, I hated second year at first, I went through an anxious period of not knowing where I fit in. This is something that feels daunting but also is a universal experience for many at university. I spent the first few weeks sat in my fusty room listening to Harry Styles and Sabrina Carpenter and ringing my mum. This didn’t last long though, I met the best people and in true Newcastle uni student fashion, we had a red pint in the pub. These few weeks at the beginning of my second-year journey were nothing short of a nightmare, however, the tables always turn, and now I am thriving with all of my amazing friends and lots of time spent on Osborne Road. The mould still unfortunately lingers, but you can’t have everything. 

I also want to talk about my course and being a part of The Courier. English Literature in first year, looked like empty lecture theatres, spare a few keen students, and lots of last-minute deadlines. Whereas in second year, you still see those familiar faces but also unlock new ones. We all begin to ‘lock in’ and become enthusiastic. For me that is definitely the case, especially because despite my clubbing-filled weeks in freshers, I didn’t end the year with a bad grade, in fact I started to think my course was relatively easy. Oh no. The stakes rise immensely in second year; after getting my first assignment grade back, I vowed to spend a lot more time in Philly Rob, and not as much time in Hoboes. However, saying no to the club and yes to the library, isn’t all too bad; I’ve found myself really enjoying reading the texts this year, and I have actually found it difficult to choose which texts to write about for my end-of-module assignments. This could also be because the modules this year really cater to what I’m passionate about, for example Goblin Market by Rossetti in my Victorian Passions module, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in my American Lit module. These texts gave me an opportunity to rant about male dominated societies and sexism, which I have a great interest in. The lecture theatres have been filled every day, and yes, we all miss the occasional 9am, or bail on our 3^rd back-to-back lecture on a Monday evening, but the excitement to study a book and get the academic validation I had at A-levels, has finally returned. 

The Courier has been an absolutely fabulous addition to my second year, not only have I made so many friends, but I have also learnt so much. The Courier has made me realise how important journalism is, but also as Campus Comment Sub-Editor, I have opened my eyes to how incredible Newcastle University and the North East really are; the vibrant, friendly atmosphere is like no other. I couldn't have wished for a better team of Sub and Senior Editors to work alongside.

I also think it’s worth reflecting on living in Jesmond in my rendition of second year, because the shift from rough nights out and a kitchen debrief in your dressing gown, to coffee mornings in linen trousers and a trench coat, and a cheeky debrief at Starbucks, is a total transformation. I have to say, Jesmond is never quiet, even after a Wednesday night, and I quite enjoy everyone’s morning strolls to get a Greggs or even in some extreme cases, grab a red pint at the pub.  The Jesmond vibes are like no other, and the large amount of pubs on Osborne Road have been incredibly lived in this year, Blanc being my personal favourite, and hearing from me far too much. 

Second year may be the middle child, where everyone is figuring out friendships and sorting out their mould problems, but it is also in some ways a fresh start, to lock in at the library and still go to the pub at all ungodly hours of the day. If you are feeling anxious about the people you chose to live with in the house rush of first year, do not worry, you’ll be in a beer garden more than your damp house. This is far from a love letter to my second year, but it is a realistic reflection on the highs and lows I have experienced. Good luck, I hope you have the best time, let me know when the Longchamp and trench coat arrives, because soon you’ll be a Jesmond girl like the rest of us.