Putting Myself First

If you're a regular reader of my blog, then you might have noticed that I haven't really been active recently. A lot was happening in my personal life that meant blogging just wasn't something I wanted to do. It was a pretty tough month for me, meaning I wasn't exactly feeling very creative, but I want to explain a little bit about why I haven't been active. I now feel so much happier both within myself and my every day life, and I want to start working on my blog again. 

Over the past few weeks, I've learnt a lot about myself and my character. When you're in a long term relationship, you tend to put your significant other at the centre of everything you think about and do. But when that person suddenly leaves, life can become extremely lonely. I've always been particularly independent, or so I thought, but I didn't realise just how little I actually focused on myself until I truly was on my own.  I've always put other people and their wants/needs before my own. A trait I seem to take from my mum. You could argue that this is both a good and a bad thing, but there comes a point when you have to start putting yourself first. Something I haven't done in a very long time

Being in love is amazing, and having someone to share your life with is a beautiful thing. But you don't realise just how much of your life is taken up by that person until they suddenly aren't there anymore. I put my all into my relationship, doing as much as humanly possible to make my ex-partner happy. Something I hope he would agree with. So when I became single, I had so much free time that I was unsure what to do with it. As I live on my own, one of my main worries after my break-up was that I would feel lonely. However, I've felt quite the contrary. I haven't actually spent all that much time on my own as my friends made sure they were keeping me busy, which definitely helped me get over everything I was going through. But even when I am on my own, I've just been enjoying focusing on myself. I actually feel less lonely now than I did before. 

There's no way I would've gotten through the last couple of months without the help of my friends and family, both of which have been the most amazing support network. My Mum was there for me when I was upset and needed a shoulder to cry on, and my Dad was always there to pick me up and give me the harsh truth that I needed to move on. All of my friends have been so amazing too, such as Sophie, who helped me realise how to be confident in myself and how much happier I am now, and also showed me that night's out and nightclubs are actually a lot of fun. Something I never used to think. But also Amy for still being there for me even though she's just started a new chapter of her own, and Annya for just being a text message away whenever I needed a friend. But I definitely wouldn't be as happy as I am now without Emily. Emily (my BFF for life) is the most incredible person I've ever met. The amount of support and comfort she's given to me over the past two months is something I'll never forget. From coming to my rescue late in the evening because I was upset, to cooking me dinner at least twice a week and putting up with my moaning for hours on end. Emily truly is one those people who is beautiful both inside and out. Everyone needs a friend like her in their life.

What the past couple of months has taught me is that time really does heal everything. No matter how low or down you may feel about a situation, as long as you have an amazing support network, you'll defintely get through it. Over the last couple of weeks in particular, numerous people have told me how much happier I seem and how they're glad to see that the "old" Jade is back. And I really am. My aim for now is just to focus on me, spend more time with my loved ones and just have fun. I'm excited to see what the next few months will have in store for me.

Goals For My Second Year Of University

I've just recently started back at University for my second year. I can't believe how quickly the past year has flown by, as it doesn't seem that long ago since I was moving into university accommodation and getting to know my flatmates over freshers week. I'm so excited to get stuck into my second year and get back into a proper routine again. 

This year, instead of staying on campus, I'm staying in a flat in the city centre. This means that I now have to get the bus into uni every day, so I'll have to make sure I don't get lazy and stick to my schedule. When I first started university last year, I started out doing my degree in history, sociology and education. Half way through the year, I realised that history definitely wasn't for me and I didn't really want to be a teacher either. So after a mini break down in December, and questioning if university was for me, I decided to change my degree and give something else a go. I'm now doing my degree in sociology and criminology, and so far I'm really enjoying it. I haven't started the criminology aspect yet, but I get to start that this year, so I'm excited to see what it involves. 

Now I'm not going to lie, last year I did a lot of procrastinating and defintely wasn't as studious as I probably should've been. Don't get me wrong, I was still very pleased with my overall grades, but this year I want to go that little bit further and put in more effort. So I've come up with a few goals to help make the most out of my second year.

1. Attend all of my lectures

At university, lectures aren't usually registered, which makes them super easy to skip as no one will know you weren't there. My university also puts our lectures online so that we can re-watch them later, which also makes them easy to miss. But this year, I'm going to make it my priority to attend as many of lectures as I can. Of course, if I only one lecture in a single day, I probably won't travel into uni just for that as I could be working. But I'm going to make sure that if I do miss one, that I make sure to catch up properly.

2. Try to do well in all of my modules, don't just settle

It's a known fact that in first year, you only really need to get 40% in each of your modules to pass them. I always aimed to do as well as I could in my modules, but at that point in the semester when everything seems to be getting on top of you and you feel like your work is never ending, the thought "I just need to pass" definitely entered my head. More so in modules that weren't actually part of my degree. But this year I'm going to try and do as well as I possibly can in all of my subjects by putting in that little extra effort. I'd quite like the opportunity to study abroad in my third year, so this year really counts for me.

3. Be open to trying new things

In first year, I was definitely a little bit reserved to opening up and trying new things. I didn't join any societies or sports, and I was quite happy to just keep my head down and do my own thing. But this semester, I'm going to be more open to trying new and different things and try and put myself out there more.

4. Be more organised

It's no secret that I am a total stationary addict. I have countless notebooks, diaries etc all to try and help me be more organised, but to be honest, I end up using them for a week or two and then I somehow seem to just give up. So this year I plan to be better at organising my schedule and making sure that I leave plenty of time aside to get all of my work done and on time.

What are some of your goals for the year ahead?

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A New Chapter

As I am writing this post, I am currently sat up in bed with a cup of tea, still in my pyjamas. I've been pretty busy over the last couple of weeks, and a lot of exciting things have happened, so I thought I would write a bit of a chatty post this morning just to update you all.

I finally moved back to Stirling on Saturday, as I only have one week left until I go back to university for my second year. I'm actually quite excited about going back to university. I'm not entirely sure why, but I think it's because I have so many exciting things planned for over the next few months, and I'm also ready to get stuck back into my course again. Last year, I changed my degree to sociology and criminology, so I'm looking forward to starting the criminology part of my course. I'm also doing an extra business module on the side which I'm quite looking forward to trying. I had a lot of ups and downs at university last year, so I'm hopeful that this year will bring a lot more new experiences and happy memories. It sounds a bit cliché, but I feel like I'm about to start a whole new chapter of my life.

This weekend was the first time I had spent the night in my new flat, and it felt really surreal to me that I now rent my own little place. My mum helped me move the rest of my stuff in on Saturday, and I got so emotional when she left and went home. All of a sudden it hit me that I am actually on my own. Living alone doesn't scare me, but it hadn't felt real that I was moving out until that moment when my mum left my flat. All of my family seem to really like my flat, so I'm hoping that my family will come and visit me a little bit more over the next few months. As I lived in halls last year, they felt a little bit awkward when they came to see me. But now that I have my own space, they'll be able to come more often. 

Something else fairly exciting also happened last week. I now have my own domain name!! I've really been trying to put that little bit of extra effort into my blog lately, and I'm finally starting to see it paying off. So I thought why not purchase my own domain name, and move away from my blogspot domain. From now on, you will be viewing all of my posts at www.studentwanderer.co.uk! I'm going to keep trying to improve my blog, so if you have any feedback then please feel free to let me know.

Now that we're into September, it is officially my birthday month. In just under three weeks, I will be turning 19! I can't believe how quickly this past year has flown by, as it doesn't feel like that long ago since I was celebrating my 18th with all of my family and my old flatmates. I usually get really excited about birthdays, but for some reason, I'm not really about this one. I think it's because I'm in a really good place in my life at the moment, and I feel truly satisfied with everything around me. I just want to have a nice day with my friends and family.

During August, Jordan and I spent quite a lot of our time through in Edinburgh. We had so much fun exploring the Fringe festival, and even just the city itself. One of the highlights of my month was watching the fireworks at Edinburgh Castle on the closing night of the Fringe. They were just so incredible, and unlike anything I'd ever seen before. I've always loved Edinburgh as it is such a beautiful city, but during August I seemed to develop a greater appreciation for the city in a way that I hadn't before.

A lot has happened in my life recently, and I'm sort of enjoying all the changes! I'm excited to get started on my second year of university, but I'm also looking forward to being more independent and getting to do my own thing. Living on own was defintely the best decision for me, but it will also mean that I can see my family a lot more often too. It is also finally starting to feel more like Autumn now, which is my favourite season. Hopefully everything will go up from here, and I hope all of you have a lovely September, too.

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Twelve Tips for University Freshers

I'd like to start by saying congratulations to everyone who got the results they needed and are now off to university! I remember filling in my UCAS form, wondering how on earth I would get the grades to get into uni. Surprisingly, I got an unconditional for my top choice and I'm so grateful that I'm able to attend an amazing university. Starting university can be extremely daunting, even more so if you're moving to a new city and leaving home. I can't quite believe how fast my first year of university went by, as here I am, already waiting to start my second year. 

I know from experience that moving into halls and starting university can be quite scary to think about. You've no idea who anyone is, and the thought of meeting new people can be quite daunting for some people. However, you'll quickly learn how to cope on your own, and as cliché as it sounds, you're university experiences will be unlike anything else. For this post, I thought I would put together a few tips on how to make the most of your freshers week, and how to make your first year of university a little bit easier.

1. Take advantage of Freshers Fairs

During Freshers week, there will be so many events happening to help you meet new people and find out more about your chosen university. I loved visiting my freshers fair last year! There were so many different stalls, most offering a variety of freebies, such as Dominos pizza or vouchers for Nandos. There's also a sports fair and another one for clubs and societies. These are to let you know all about the different sports teams you can join, or to help you find like-minded people by joining a society.

2. If you're staying in university accommodation, make your room as homely as possible

Leaving home at 17/18 can be a scary thought, especially if you're moving to a completely different city. If you're moving into university accommodation, my main tip would be to try and decorate your bedroom, and make it feel as homely as possible. This will help you feel comfortable in your new room, and will hopefully make you feel a little bit less homesick. The best way to do this is to take plenty of photos of friends and family with you to put up around your room.

3. You do not need to buy every book on your reading list

At the start of the semester, you will be a given a list of recommended reading for each of your modules. Your first instinct will probably be to buy every book on the lists, but you really don't need too. A lot of books nowadays are online, so you can often download them as a PDF straight onto your laptop. Another option is to buy them second hand. Textbooks can cost upwards of around £30, so when you have to buy at least 12, that can become pretty pricey. Amazon always sell both new and old copies of textbooks, and your university's book shop probably do the same. My favourite site to buy textbooks last year was from abebooks.co.uk. They sell textbooks really cheap, and all of the ones that I ordered were in really good condition.

4. Check what is included in your rent/accommodation so that you don't overpack

As soon as I found out I was moving into halls, I could wait to go shopping for my new room. A lot of halls nowadays are furnished, for example, my kitchen already had all of the appliances we needed (like a toaster, kettle, etc) and my bedroom came with a duvet and pillows. Of course, you can always buy and take your own, but moving out and just university in general can be extremely expensive, so it's best to save money where you can.

5. Register with the medical centre

No matter how much of a hassle filling out the extensive questionnaire may seem, it's definitely best to register for your local medical centre. I was reluctant when I first moved to university, but I'm so glad I did. No matter how healthy you were at home, you will definitely get freshers flu if you are staying in halls. Being around so many new people, your body is bound to catch something, so it's best to be on the safe side just incase you ever need an emergency appointment.

6. You won't necessarily get along with everyone

This is even more true if you are staying in halls. When you are forced to live with various other strangers, it is pretty much a given that your personality will clash with at least one other persons. Especially when sharing your living space. But there are so many places to make new friends and meet new people at university, so if you don't get along with your flatmates, or you don't particularly like the people in one of your seminars, it's not the end of the world. Make sure you try to meet new people when you first start at university, as you never know who you'll become really good friends with.

7. Never feel pressured to like something just because everyone else seems too

When you mention freshers week, most people will automatically think of getting drunk and going out every night. For some people, that is what fresher's week really is like. But there are so many other things to do, that if drinking is not for you, you don't have to feel pressured into doing it. It wasn't later in the year that I realised I don't particularly like night clubs or drinking, and I felt like by not liking those things, I was isolating myself. But you should never make that a reason to do something you don't like. There will be so many people at university that feel the same way you do about things. Most of my friends at university don't really go out much either, but it wasn't until my second semester that I felt I had made true friends.

8. If possible, do your food shopping online

During my first year, I absolutely swore by home delivery when it came to my food shopping. When you do your food shop online, you are more likely to get the essentials and the things you know that you need. Whereas when you go walking around Tesco with a trolley, you're much more likely to buy extras just because they're on offer, or you were hungry at the time, or because they looked enticing. By shopping online, you'll probably find that you spend around £10 less than you do when you actually go to the shop. Another bonus of online shopping is the home delivery. Whenever I used to go to Tesco, I would end up struggling to get on the bus with my bags, and I used to have to walk over a bridge, which became a real pain when my bags were heavy. This way they are delivered to your door, and you only have to take them directly to your kitchen!

9. Don't be afraid to do things on your own

At university, you really do develop a true sense of independence that you probably didn't have before. There are so many opportunities at university, but not all of them will appeal to everyone. You have to get used to doing things on your own and going places by yourself, because a lot of the time, no one is going to be there to go with you. Don't be afraid to try new things and put yourself out there.

10. Don't be that person that leaves week old dirty dishes by the sink

For the sake of everyone else in your flat, please just wash your dishes. Leaving your breakfast dishes is fair enough if you're going to clean them later that day, but leaving food stuck to your plate for over a week isn't just unhygienic, it's also rude to your other flatmates. It will make your kitchen smell disgusting, and illnesses in halls are frequent enough, without your bacteria ridden week old food sitting on the side waiting to infect someone. No-one wants to be labelled the messy flatmate that everyone gets a bit frustrated with.

11. Don't leave your work until the last minute

We're all guilty of procrastinating and putting things off until later. But when you rush to finish an assignment the night before its due, it's probably not going to be as good as it could. And your marker will defintely know you've rushed it. Set yourself time aside to study and work on your essays or assignments, but also schedule yourself time off and give yourself something to look forward too. That way you'll be able to balance both university and your social life.

12. Attend your lectures

I, for one, know how it easy is to skip a 9am lecture because you'd rather have an extra hour in bed. But it's really not a good idea to miss them. A lot of universities now upload recordings of their lectures online, which makes them even easier to skip. But at the end of the day, you won't be concentrating as much if you just have your lecture playing in the background as you scroll through Facebook. Also, university is really expensive, so its better to attend your lectures and make the most of whats on offer to help you.

If you're starting university in September, good luck! Hopefully some of these tips will help you or help to give you an idea of what to expect. Your first year will fly by, and before you know it, it'll be summer again, so make sure you make the most of it!

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Why I'm Okay About Living On My Own

Yesterday morning, at 11am, I got the keys to my first ever flat. This is a huge step for me, but I'm so excited about it! Thankfully, my parents have been super supportive, and yesterday helped me heave all of my belongings up three fights of winding stairs. They're a lot fitter than me, that's for sure! But ever since I started telling people about my plans, and how I'll be living on my own, they always question my decision. Of course, I realise that its not necessarily the norm for an 18 year old student to choose to live by herself, but that's what people don't seem to understand. It's been entirely my choice.

I lived in halls of residence last year, and I really did enjoy the experience. But that's also when I realised that sharing my living space with numerous other people isn't really for me. I loved my flatmates, but I definitely need my own space. If you were having a bad day, everyone would know about it, and being a private person, that isn't something I enjoyed. The only personal space that I had was in my own room, but sometimes I felt a bit trapped. Which is one of the main reasons that I wanted my own flat.

Whilst living in halls, I learnt an awful lot about myself and the way that I feel about certain things. One thing that I learnt, is that I'm extremely independent. I enjoy making my own decisions and thinking for myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an unsociable person. I'll definitely have my friends and family over most evenings. 

Another perk of living on my own, is that everything will be mine, and will always look exactly how I left it. The thing that I hated the most about living in uni accommodation, was the constant mess. No matter how many times the kitchen was cleaned, it would only take a matter of hours before you could barely see the sink again. That's not something I can cope with again. Call me a clean freak, but I like knowing my tabletops aren't crawling with bacteria. It'll be nice to only have to clean up after myself for once.

But most of all, I'm excited for the responsibility that comes with having my independence. It might sound silly, but I've been truly enjoying setting everything up and buying my own homeware etc. Living alone can definitely be a struggle, especially financially, but I've got a great job that I love, which alongside my student loan, will definitely be enough to get me by. So hopefully this post has shown the people that think I'm too young to live by myself, that I really am capable of doing so, and that it's entirely my own choice.

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10 Fun Date Ideas

Even after having been in a relationship for a while, I still get excited about going on dates together. I know that thinking of unique ideas for things to do together, whether it be your first date or your twentieth, can sometimes be a bit tricky. So here are some of the things that I think would be fun to do for a date:

1. Go for a picnic 

Now that we're finally into summer, a picnic would be the perfect way to spend a sunny day! You can spend the day together lying on a nice big blanket and eating a delicious spread of your favourite food and drinks. Of course, this doesn't have to be just the two of you. You could go with a group of friends, which might make you feel more at ease if you and your partner are still getting to know each other.

2. Go for breakfast

This is a bit different than just going for dinner. It's a lot more casual, and can also be a lot cheaper if you're on a bit of budget. I absolutely love going out for breakfast!

3. Explore somewhere new

I think this would be a really fun way to spend the entire day together. Is there somewhere you've always wanted to visit? Or why not just jump on a train and see where it takes you? You could go together and spend the day wandering around and exploring. You never know what you might find, and in a few years time, you can go back for a visit and remember what a nice time you had.

4. Go to your favourite bar/restaurant 

Do you know a bar that does really good cocktails? You could introduce your partner to some of your favourite places to eat or drink, and it will also help them get to know a little bit more about some of the things that you like. Going for a drink is also a good way to ease any first date nerves, however, I obviously don't recommend getting completely drunk if this is your first time meeting someone...

5. Go to the theatre

This one is a little bit different to the typical "dinner and a movie" date. A theatre show would be a good idea for a first or second date if you're still getting to know each other and you get a little bit nervous trying to make conversation. I would recommend seeing something lighthearted, like a musical or a comedy, but it would also give you plenty to talk about after the show.

6. Go to the zoo or aquarium

I would love to go on a date to the zoo! It would be so much fun wandering around, looking at all of the animals. A fun date like this would also give you lots to talk about if you're still getting to know each other.

7. Go to a concert

If you have any mutual interests in a particular band or type of music, it could be fun to go and see them in concert together. The feeling you get at a gig or concert when your favourite artist comes on stage is unlike any other, so it would be really special to share that moment together. 


8. Stargazing

You could go for a walk or climb a hill, and then once you get to the top, you can wait for the sun to set and watch the stars as they light up the sky! How romantic is that?

9. Go to the beach

If it's a nice sunny day, why not pack up your things and head to the beach for the day? You could go for ice cream, wander along the sea front, or even go for fish and chips! If only it was sunnier more often in Scotland, then I would absolutely love to do this.

10. Have your own movie night

If you're on a bit of tighter budget, or you just fancy a cosy night in together, then this is the one for you! You could put on your favourite film, grab some tasty snacks and cuddle under a blanket. This one can be as romantic as you please, but it can also be super chilled if you just want to relax and spend some together.

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.

My M.A.C Lipstick Collection

I remember buying my first MAC lipstick when I was about 13 or 14! I went into Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh, and with my best friend, I chose what I thought was the perfect shade. It was a matte, light pink shade called 'Please Me'. Although it really is a lovely colour, I realise now that it definitely did not suit me. Five years and hundreds of make up tutorials later, my lipstick collection has grown profusely. Amongst them are quite a few MAC lipsticks, so for this post, I thought I would show you what they are.

Nude Shades

(From left to right)

Hug Me, Creme in your Coffee, Spice (lip liner)

'Hug Me' is definitely my favourite lipstick! It's the perfect everyday shade, and I'm even on my second tube of it. Creme in your Coffee is slightly darker, but still easy to wear, and looks really nice with Spice lip liner underneath it. I also used to own Velvet Teddy, but I'm pretty sure I lost that one on a night out. I'm still mourning its loss now as it was such a pretty nude shade.

Pink Shades

Lovelorn, Please Me, Girl About Town, Vegas Volt

As I said before, Please Me (second from left) was my first MAC lipstick. Although it is a really pretty shade, it tends to wash me out. Lovelorn is probably my favourite pink as it's a lustre finish, so it just adds a glossy finish to any look. Vegas Volt and Girl About Town always look really good with a tan.

Red Shades

Russian Red, So Good, RiRi Woo

Russian Red creates the perfect red lip! Whether it's for a night out or just for wandering the shops during the day, I can always rely on it to stay in place and not move around my face. So Good is one of MAC's mineralise rich lipsticks. I bought it in duty free before my holiday last year, and to be honest, I haven't really worn it very often! It's more of a pinky red, and only really works well on me when I have a tan. As for RiRi Woo, I really do not like it. It was definitely an impulse buy.

Purple Shades

Up The Amp, Plumful, Rebel, Hang Up

When I first bought Up The Amp, I didn't realise quite how lilac it was, so I tended not to wear it! But now I love it, especially as a transitional Spring and Summer shade. Plumful and Rebel, however, are perfect for those colder winter months. As for Hang Up, it's a gorgeous deep red/purple shade. But it never stays in place and is really annoying to apply without a lip brush, so I don't wear this one often at all.

My Travel Bucket List

It's no secret that I absolutely adore travelling. Visiting different cities and exploring new places is without a doubt one of my favourite things to do. Being a student can make travelling quite difficult, mainly because I lack the money, but also because I just don't have the time. Growing up, my parents would always take me abroad for our summer holiday. I was very lucky to be able to spend a week or two in different countries soaking up the sun all day. However, we never really did much exploring. We were very much the type of family who would lounge around the pool or go to the beach for the day. This was purely because my parents both work full time, and would therefore use their two weeks holiday as a time to chill out and completely relax. However, now that I have grown up and have entered the daunting stage of adulthood, I have discovered my passion for travelling.

In this post, I want to share with you all the places that I want to see before I die. Some of them are easier than others, however, my goal in life is to make sure that I see each and every one of one. So here goes:

1. New York

I'm sure it's of no surprise that one of the most famous cities in the world is at the top of my bucket list. New York City has always been somewhere that I long to visit. I want to walk through Times Square and have my photo taken at the top of the Empire State Building. From the exceptional skylines to the world famous Statue of Liberty, my ultimate goal is to visit this iconic city. 

2. Venice

To me, Venice is full of romance. Definitely somewhere I'd like to visit with my boyfriend one day. I'd love to walk along the canals hand in hand, or take a gondola ride through the beautiful streets. This one might have to wait a while, however, as it's no secret that Venice is particularly pricey.

3. Santorini

Santorini is known for it's clear sea, beautiful beaches and the architecture of it's buildings. But the thing I most want to see, is that famous sunset.

4. Budapest

Hungary's capital is full of culture and history. Of course, it isn't called the 'City of Baths' for nothing, so a trip to one of the cities famous pools is definitely on my to-do list.

5. Blue Lagoon, Iceland 

I think the picture speaks for itself. The geothermal pool is known as one of the wonders of the world, and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. One day, I aim to be one of them. A chance to bathe in such a beautiful spa would be an unforgettable experience.

6. Northern Lights

A bucket list wouldn't be complete without the Northern Lights. The chance to see the extraordinary colours light up the sky would be the experience of a lifetime. But I'd most like to view them from inside an igloo, as that would make the experience even more special.

7. Rome

Italy's capital is bursting with architecture and ancient ruins visited by millions every year. The Vatican City encompasses so much culture and art, and is also the home of the Roman Catholic Church. But the thing I would most like to visit, would have to be the Colosseum.

8. Prague

Prague's is famous for its baroque buildings and its Old Town Square. To me, Prague looks like a beautifully romantic city, and is also somewhere I'd love to go with my boyfriend. However, Prague is also known for being extremely cheap, which is probably why so many tourists flood the city every year.

9. Thailand

The tropical beaches and ornate temples are what draw me to this beautiful country. If I am ever lucky enough to visit Thailand, I most definitely want to visit an elephant sanctuary. What an experience that would that be.

10. Interrail around Europe

The final thing on my bucket list is to Interrail around Europe. Of course, this isn't really somewhere I'd like to 'visit', but it is definitely something I want to do. Once I finish my fourth year of university, my goal is to spend a month or two travelling around Europe. Interrail is the perfect way to do this, as the train enables you to travel from one country to another with ease, giving you the chance to see so many amazing countries, such as Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and Hungary.

*I do not own any of the pictures featured in this blog post.