University Isn’t the Best Experience for Everyone, and It’s OK
Most students you come across at university are so integrated into their societies that you’re pretty sure they’d be happy walking around in a mascot costume for the rest of their lives. And it can be quite disconcerting for some.
Looking at others talk about a particular event and observing people’s enthusiasm in lectures can leave those who aren’t involved feeling a little bit bemused. It might raise the question, should I be this involved too?
What makes this question take a larger toll on its subject is the outside expectation one normally experiences prior to university. How many times did you hear relatives, friends or colleagues say, “it’ll be the best time of your life? Or, you’re going to drink so much alcohol!”
Seeing your friends on social media platforms at different universities across the country partying it up doesn’t help, either, especially when they’re surrounded by dozens of brand new ‘friends’. Shouldn’t you be doing the same?
Just remember nine times out of 10, social media is a false illusion. The people in your friend’s Instagram story posing with a paddle of sambuca shots probably won’t speak to each other until the next social event. Or your friend in your group chat boasting about how well they’re doing with members of the opposite sex is most probably concerned themselves that they’re not doing university ‘properly’. Take everything you hear with a pinch of salt; if someone went out and drank 12 pints last night, they probably only drank six.
What we’re trying to say is, they might be going out every night and painting a picture to make it look as though they’re having the time of their lives, but you never know what’s going on beneath the surface.
You’re in university for the long run, it’s a big part of your life. How you do university is completely up to you. If you don’t fancy going out every week, say so and own it. If someone is pathetic enough to mock you, laugh with them and say it how it really is. Don’t make yourself endure something you really don’t want to just because you think it’s expected of you.
It’s unhealthy to be tied to a socially preconceived idea of how to behave while you’re studying for the degree that has the potential to change your life. It could have a seriously negative effect on your mental health, tarnishing your learning experience.
You’ve worked hard to get into university, and now you’re there, focus on completing your degree in the subject you love. But if the feeling persists, there are people you can talk to; whatever you do don’t try and hide it away, it will only fester.
Understandably, you probably don’t want to talk to friends, but your family is always there ready to listen. All universities will also have their very own support services, employing people whose job is to listen to you and advise you on the best course of action.
At the end of the day, do what makes you happy. University is a learning curve, and eventually, you’ll learn that whatever you want to do, you should do, despite what everyone else thinks.
Originally published at https://www.kortext.com by Matthew Maynard
