Where Do We Go From Here? Part One

I still remember my first day of year 7 really clearly. I had only ever gone to what was then my new school a couple of times before, and with my mum driving me, I was obviously late (cos you know... black people timing). Rushing down the pathway to the school entrance, I realised that I missed the introductory assembly and I saw everyone filing out. Great way to start a new time in your life! When I look back at it, being late on the first day was just a standard Eman thing to do. It always has to be me.

It was still an exciting new chapter of my life though and I had no idea what secondary school life was going to hold for me. I had no idea what I was getting into...

And now, hopefully a better person than I was back then, I'm on the verge of another exciting new chapter. 6 years have flashed by and suddenly, I find myself 7 weeks away from legally turning into an adult, 7 months away from A Levels and 10 months away from what some call the best years of your life: university. And it's exciting, don't get me wrong, but it's scary at the same time.

When you've been in your comfort zone all your life, with work being organised for you at school, with food already on the table when you get home, with the hassling of teachers to get work done and get it done on time, it will be surely be a shock to suddenly have to do it all by yourself.

Everything instantly just comes your way, whether you're prepared for it or not, whether you're relishing it or not. Managing your money, actually reminding yourself to do beneficial work, having an active social life, keeping yourself and your room tidy, keeping yourself fit. All at the same time. You're not a kid anymore and within 4 months, you move from still being treated like one in 6th form/college to being an independent adult at uni. 4 months with hardly any preparation. So when I write this doom and gloom tale of the standard worries of university life, it doesn't surprise me that some people decide to opt out of paying the £9k a year.

The daily sessions awaits...

But let's stick to the positives. A fresh start, a new opportunity to make friends, (possibly) new surroundings, new social opportunities and new interests/sports to try out. The world becomes your oyster. Life won't just be about grades, you won't be stuck in an exam factory and... AND you can be free from your parents. All of that just 10 months away. You can dream about it all you like but some of us need to make sure we get there first.

Wherever 'there' will be.


Part two is about the process and feelings of applying to uni, interviews and any rejections. Coming in January!