18 Things I've Learnt in 18 Years

Over the last few months, I feel like I've learnt quite a lot of valuable life lessons. It's been a tough few months, I'm not going to lie, but I've made my way through it and now I'm in a good place. So for this post, I thought I'd share just 18 things that I've learnt in my 18 years of life.

1. If people want to be in your life they will make the effort! Since moving to Stirling, it has been a common occurrence for people to say that they will come and visit me, yet they never do. It's always me that is expected to make the effort. It's taken me a while to realise that friendship works both ways, and that there has to be an equal effort from both sides for the friendship to work.

2. Manners and kindness cost nothing! This is a lesson that working in retail has definitely taught me. My parents always brought me up to be polite, but working in retail shows you just how rude some people can be.

3. Before you can let someone love you, you must first love yourself. If you hate everything about yourself, how you can allow someone else to be completely in love with you? You need to firstly accept who you are, and accept all of your flaws, before you can let someone else do that for you.

4. Always appreciate your parents and the things that they do for you! My Mum and Dad would do anything for me, no questions asked. They do everything they can to make sure that I am happy, and I truly appreciate what they do for me.

5. As annoying as it is, your parents are usually right

6. It's okay to want to help people, but always make time for yourself, too

7. Some people won't like you, but that's okay! This is one that I've had to learn the hard way, especially over the past few months. Of course, knowing that someone doesn't like you can make you feel bad about yourself, but at the end of the day, who really cares what they think.

8. Always do the things that you enjoy, regardless of what other people think

9. It's not selfish to put yourself first sometimes! I'm the type of person that would much rather do things for other people than for myself. I love seeing that the people I love are happy, but I often forget that sometimes, I need to be too.

10. Don't let people walk all over you and treat you like dirt

11. It's okay to change direction! I still have no idea what career what I want to pursue once I finish university, but that's okay. You don't need to have your entire life completely planned out, as you never know what might happen one day.

12. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you feel lost! I've always been quite independent and I like to do things by myself, but this can sometimes be to my detriment. If you need help, always ask for it. Don't struggle with something just because you're too proud to show your softer side.

13. Apologising is a strength, not a weakness

14. People will always have their opinions, but you don't have to agree with them! But by the same token, other people do not have to agree with your opinions. Never push your ideas and opinions on to others.

15. When you have the chance to start over, always give it your all

16. Don't be afraid to be on your own! I love having some time to myself, but I sometimes have too much of it and I tend to get a bit lonely. But over the past few months I've realised that it's okay to go and get a coffee by yourself or to go and get something to eat.

17. People change

18. Losing someone that you love will be one of the hardest things you ever have to deal with

An Open Letter To My Grandma

On the 4th of February 2014, my Grandma sadly passed away. She was diagnosed with cancer just 11 months before, and those few short months were the quickest of my life. My Grandma was one of the most important people in my life, and her lack of presence in my life is something I still struggle with every day. Our relationship was truly special. My Grandma would've done absolutely anything for me, and she taught me so many valuable lessons about life. This post is particularly personal for me, and I debated about whether to publish it or not. But my Grandma was a wonderful lady, and my blog is a place where I express a lot about what's happening in my life, so that's why I'm choosing to upload this.

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Dear Grandma,

It's been a couple of years now since the last time we were together. I can't believe it's been that long. It feels like only yesterday that I was by your side, holding your hand and wishing that things were different. A lot has happened over the last two years. If only you could see for yourself how much I've changed and grown up. Every day, something new happens that I want to call you up and tell you about. It breaks my heart not being able to do that, but I know that you're watching over me and helping me along the way.


As soon as I turned 17, I started learning to drive! I know that you were so excited for me to start my lessons. It was all thanks to you and Grandad for saving up all that money for me and buying my lessons for my birthday. I can't thank you enough for that! Less than 9 months later I passed my test and was on the road all by myself, if only you could've been here to see me.

I finished high school with pretty good grades and managed to get an unconditional offer for the University of Stirling. I got off to a bit of a rocky start at university, but now that I have changed my degree, I'm so much happier. You'd absolutely love the campus! There's so much wildlife and a beautiful loch that you would have loved to wander around. I've just finished my first year, and whilst it's been quite an eventful few months, I couldn't have done it without you and Grandad. I know that you had been saving for my tuition fees since I was only a baby, but since I don't need to pay for my fees in Scotland, it went towards my rent. In order to repay you, I will make sure that I do my very best and try as hard as I can to hopefully finish university with a first in my degree.

Christmases and birthdays aren't the same without you. I miss your Christmas dinners and the huge chocolate cake that you always used to make me for my birthday. My mum makes Christmas dinner now, and she does an amazing job, but I think we all miss your presence around the table. I wish you'd been here to celebrate my 18th birthday with me. It was a pretty big milestone in my life. We all went for dinner as a family though, Grandad too, and I had a great time. Everyone made it super special for me.

I think that's pretty much everything that I wanted to tell you. I miss you more and more every day, and it breaks my heart that you aren't here to witness all the amazing changes that have been happening in my life recently. Sometimes it hits me that you won't see me graduate or be at my wedding, and you won't get to meet my future children. That always makes me tear up when I think about things like that. My goal in life is just to make you proud, and I really hope that you are. There has been a huge gap in my life since you left. The relationship that you and I had was unlike any other. You were always there for me, and I felt like you truly understood me. You taught me how to be the best that I could be, and I value every moment and memory that we had together.

I love you with all of my heart.
Jade x

11 Things My First Year of University Has Taught Me

Today is the day that I officially finished my first year of university. I honestly can't quite believe how fast these past 8 months have gone by. It's been such an amazing experience, but I've definitely had some ups and downs. Moving to Stirling for university was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I know its cliché, but I really do feel like I've completely grown up over the past few months. Don't get me wrong, I can still be awfully childish, but I can now say with confidence that I know how to look after myself properly. I've learnt a lot over these last eight months, both academically and personally, so I thought I'd share some of them with you!


1. You don't have to live up to the stereotype

This is probably the biggest thing I've learnt this year! Before coming to university, when I thought of the "typical student lifestyle," I thought of constant nights out, messy kitchens and eating pot noodles for breakfast. Don't get me wrong, for a lot of people, that really is the case. My kitchen in halls is always a mess, and a lot of people that I know go out at least 3 nights a week. But I've realised that I'm not your typical student, and I'm okay with that.

2. It's okay to change direction

During my first semester, I was studying history, sociology and professional education. Throughout my sixth year at school, I was so sure that this was the right degree for me and that one day I would become a history teacher. However, once I got to university that quickly changed. I realised that history wasn't for me, and I didn't want to spend the next four years studying something that I didn't like. Now I'm doing my degree in sociology and criminology, and so far, I'm loving it. I find it so much more interesting, and even though I've absolutely no idea what career I see myself doing five years from now, I'm still so glad that I changed my degree path.

3. My family mean everything to me

Moving to Stirling was a huge step for me. Although I'd been looking forward to moving out and having a sense of independence, I didn't realise how much I would actually miss my parents. I love having my own space, but I really miss being able to see my parents everyday. My mum is definitely my best friend, and I never would have gotten through this year without her help. She's been a massive shoulder to cry on. My dad has also been a huge support system for me. Growing up, we really did argue with one another like cat and dog, but now that I've grown up, we get on better than ever and I really do value his advice. He always knows the right thing to say, and I know that he would do absolutely anything to help me. I can't thank my parents enough for all the help and support that they give me.

4. It's okay to hate nightclubs

Nightclubs make me so nervous, especially when you can hardly move because they're so busy. I like going for a dance with friends, but after a while, I just get anxious and want to leave.

5. I like beer more than wine

I should probably thank my boyfriend for this. I agree it's not the most ladylike beverage, but for some reason, I really quite like the taste.

6. Having a job whilst studying gives you a true appreciation for money 

Back in September, I started working at my current job and I absolutely love it. The job itself really interests me, and I also have the nicest manager alive. But working alongside my studies really has given me a true appreciation for money. I'm much more careful about what I spend my money on, and I've been trying really hard to save as much of it as I can. Also, if it wasn't for my job, I probably would never have met Sophie! She is one of the kindest, funniest girls that I've ever met, and I really do value her friendship.

7. You won't always get on with everyone 

I can't stress this one enough. At university, you meet so many new people that you just want to be friends with. But there will always be people that for some reason, just don't seem to like you. I've spent a lot of time over the last few months feeling upset because of things people have said or done, but it has also taught me how to have a thicker skin. I have friends that I love and adore, and I don't need people in my life who are going to constantly put me down or make me feel excluded.

8. You can survive on a diet of pasta

I can't even come to comprehend how much pasta I have eaten this year. Being a student, I live for anything quick and easy, and pasta is usually the answer. Jordan always makes fun of me because I eat so much of it.

9. Moving into university accommodation was the best idea

There have plenty of times over the past year when I have cursed living in halls, but overall, I definitely wouldn't have done things any differently. First year is the time to meet new people and have new experiences, and I definitely don't think any of that would've been the same if I'd stayed at home and travelled in every day. Of course, everyone is different, but I would definitely encourage anyone in the future to move into halls if they can.

10. Relationships can still be successful 

Jordan and I have been together for almost a year now, but before coming to university, I was nervous that being apart for long periods of time would put a strain on our relationship. But thankfully, it hasn't at all. We've been able to see each other much more often than we thought we would, it just takes effort from both sides. I think the distance has actually made us a lot stronger, as we truly value every single moment that we have together.

11. People who want to be in your life will make the effort

Of course this works both ways, but it's become apparent to me this year how much effort I put in to other people, and how little I so often get back. It's been so common for people to ask when they'll next be seeing me or when I'm next coming home, but a lot of the time, it would be just as easy for people to make the effort to come and see me. This year has 100% shown me who my true friends, and I couldn't be more grateful to have them in my life.

The past eight months have been such a whirlwind of different emotions and experiences, but I've had such an amazing time and I've absolutely loved it. I'm excited to go home now though for a few months to just relax, spend time with my friends and family, and prepare myself for next year.