From first year fresher to second year stresser...

Everyone knows the first year of university is a bit of a write off. You're in a new city, you're living with new people and you're on a new course. This all takes a bit of getting used to.

First year is all about finding your flow and trying out new routines until one fits. In terms of university work it all seemed fairly simple to start off with, easier than Sixth Form dare I say. But soon the deadlines begin to approach and you realise it's time to put binge watching Netflix episodes on hold and get some serious work done.

Specialising in public relations involved doing media relations, journalism, visual design and events for me. Over the course of school and Sixth Form I had touched upon areas helpful for all of these modules bar one: visual design. I cannot resist a challenge so when I know that I am going to struggle with something before I've even started I always try and give myself the best chance, so there was no missing any lectures for me which amongst many first years is unheard of (pat on the back for me). I also made extensive notes when it came to how to navigate the software 'InDesign' because even back in my school years computers were not my friends. The module was a challenge but it was one I enjoyed because I could be as creative as I liked with it so in the end with my enjoyment for the work paired with my extensive notes I didn't do too badly with the module in the end.

Choosing modules that may take you out of your comfort zone appears to be a theme at university, so whether you like it or not you have to get on board and do what needs to be done to pass. This is a lesson I took forward to second year and is the source of my stress as I aim to get drafts for all modules done way before deadlines in order to give myself the best chance at getting feedback and improving those drafts, whether they are in a module I love, hate or tolerate.

First year involved a lot of sitting alone at the desk in my box size room in halls to get essays and research reports done. Naturally with the kitchen just next to my room this work was split up by breaks to get food or a cup of tea or have a little chat in the kitchen or just checking social media on my phone and so you can see how this might end up being a rather long winded way of writing an essay. Then one day I went to the library with a friend to get an essay done and suddenly I had all this writing done without a single break and I was amazed. Since then when I have a big essay due that I know I'll procrastinate for I take a trip to the library with a friend and get in the zone and my productivity massively improves and an essay that would normally take me weeks to get written gets completed within a matter of days!

So although I am a second year stressing over my work I have learnt to use this stress to motivate me to get work done. I also set my own deadlines to work to so although my stress levels may be higher than most earlier on in the semester they don't get out of hand because I know it's helping me to get the work done nice and early to reduce the stress later on in the semester.