What Term 2 of Year 2 has taught me

As term 2 comes to a close, I find I’m in a time of reflection. It’s been a hard term for me; a lot of highs but some of my lowest lows, but, although I am ready for a break, I’m feeling stronger than ever before to be myself and stay strong through the hardest of times.

1. Make uni work for you

I have always been one of those people who turn up to everything in person, must attend every event because I thought that was how you learn best. This term I had the opportunity to just stop for a minute and what I realised was that the world did not come crashing down. And I realised how tired my timetable was making me if I was working straight through the day. I’ve been listening to my body and notice that around 3 o’clock I just crash. I don’t pay attention in my lectures at this time and I would rather be anywhere else. How is that beneficial to my degree? So now I do the work how it works best for me. Sometimes you can’t arrange everything perfectly, like labs and workshops are at set times. But if I prioritise these things, I can work lectures and everything else around them for myself. I still try to attend as much a possible but don’t beat myself up if I don’t attend. I haven’t fallen behind, if anything I feel more productive than I ever did. The truth is, univeristy isn’t your life, simply a part of it. So make it work around you.

2. Nothing Changes

I get so anxious sometimes that if I behave in a very slightly different way, the world will end. People will hate me. I’ll fail my degree. But in reality everyone else is too focused on themselves to realise if your behaviour has changed. House mates will still be there if you went home for a week. They get on with their lives, as they should, just like you get on with yours. I went home for a week this term, and when I returned, everything was still standing. The truth is, nothing changes. The only thing you can change is yourself.

3. I actually like my degree

I think a lot of the time I do my degree because I think I have to. And then that makes it a chore and unenjoyable. But taking back some control and actually doing the work because I want to was a big shift for me. It gave me the drive to do the bits I don’t like because I realised what I was striving for. I attended a women in chemistry talk last week and there were lots of academics talking about how it was hard to have a work life balance in academia, you have to love it because it will become your life. Don’t get me wrong, I like chemistry, but I want to work to live my life outside of work. I felt quite overwhelmed by these women who made it out I should be more passionate about my degree. But there was one lady there who worked in industry and she said she just worked a 9-5 in the lab, didn’t work evening or weekends and that was good for her, and that’s what I want. I like my degree enough to use my skills in a purposeful work place, but my main purpose is to make me happy. It made me realise that I am happy doing what I’m doing and my goal to work in an industry lab over academia, is the right path for me. So I don’t push myself too hard on the days when I know it won’t help and taking that pressure off has made me so much more happier in my degree. In some weird reverse psycology, by not forcing myself to be passionate all the time, has induced a passion I hadn’t experienced before and I know that I can get the life I want now.

I hope my ramblings resonate with some of you, and that you’re all taking time out of your day to listen to yourself and listen to your body. The world will not end if you stop. Look after yourself.

Sadie