The Best Thing You'll Ever Do

University has taken a lot of things away from me. Money, probably years off my life, and of course the all-important dignity – no, it isn’t a good idea to show off when downing a dirty pint and yes, you will end up being carried home.

But out of everything I’ve lost in my time here, I’ve gained so much more.

I’ve gained so many new friends, a great social life, skills I wouldn’t have learnt if I hadn’t moved out, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Because there will always be those personal ones too, things you as individuals gain at university. For me it’s been something really big, and that's been confidence.

Before I came to university I was very quiet – I still am on the whole, but that’s a choice, not a confidence issue – I was shy in front of people, I always had been. I didn’t really like to speak up, especially at school, I preferred to keep my thoughts to myself and just write it down in my work.

I don’t know why. I’ve always been like that. My mom and dad must have been sick of going to parents’ evening every year and being told the same thing “Natalie is a lovely student; she’s just a bit quiet...”

Now, there’s nothing wrong with that. Like I mentioned previously, I’m still a naturally quiet person. I still prefer to be the listener rather than the talker.

But I learnt quickly at university that you need to have a voice in order to be heard. Because if you’re heard it means that you get places; and considering I want to be a journalist, I realised I needed to be more confident.

So that’s what I did. I pushed myself into situations and said yes before it was too late to say no. I volunteered for things, spoke up, and I’m so much happier for it.

In order to get the most out of not only your degree – you should want to considering the £9,000 a year fees we now have to pay – but out of your university experiences too, throw yourself into things.

Get involved, even if it’s only something small. Not only will you gain a lot more personal skills, maybe something to put on your CV, but you’ll also meet so many more new people and make loads of new friends.

I’m so glad I came here and that I chose De Montfort because I know I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities elsewhere. If I could give any advice to people contemplating university, it’d be go for it.

I don’t know a single person who has gone and regretted it, even people who have now dropped out because they decided it wasn’t for them: because at least they gave it a try and realised they needed a different direction in their life.

This isn’t me saying university is the only option. Not everyone is going to go, but if you get the opportunity I strongly suggest you go for it. People will tell you the debt isn’t worth it, but it didn’t take me long to realise that's a lie, told by people who are probably not willing to take the risk. I am here to tell you to take the risk.

And if you are at university already, my advice for you is just do things. Go out, join a team or a society, get involved, have fun, make friends, do all manner of stupid things you won’t be able to do when you finally have to leave and you’re in the adult world.

University is what you make of it, and I’m glad that, now in my second year, I can say I’ve made the most of it. It’s not just a degree you leave with, and that’s why it’s worth it.

Tales to inspire

There’s a part about my slightly (I say only slightly because I’m more confident now) introverted personality that I quite enjoy, and that’s how much I love to listen to people. I will quite happily sit there and listen to peoples’ stories, without having much input of my own, and just take in what they’re saying. In particular, there’s something about people who can inspire with their words.

There’s something about people with stories; people who have travelled and have so many different life experiences, that have been borne out of their quest for something, be it a career or a lifestyle.

These type of people captivate me, and I am left there staring at them and probably making them quite scared with my facial expression.

Either that or they like it because I’m one of the people who actually want to listen!

The other night I was lucky enough (thanks to my incredible little sister) to be able to go and see Passenger’s sold out show at the O2 Academy in Birmingham.

And, aside from his incredible singing talent, the aspect I enjoyed most of his gig was how much he interacted with the crowd and just told us stories.

In between every song, he spoke to us. The little anecdotes of his time on the road, travelling to different places, life experiences he’s had busking, playing tiny venues, the people he’s met. He had me, and it’s safe to say pretty much everyone in the room, completely silenced and moreover entirely captivated with what he was saying.

I just found it extremely fascinating that one man has done so much in his life, and I also feel a sense of pride for him for sticking at what he wanted to do, going through all that, and now doing what he loves and performing to venues packed to the rafters just for him.

One thing I was unaware I’d get from that night, was inspiration. I know how much Mike (Rosenberg – Passenger) has gone through to get where he wanted to be with his music career, but it just made me think a lot more about the dedication of some people to get what they want.

It made me think of the career I want and the life I want for myself. It made me think too, of just how much I want it, and, how even if I have to go through copious amounts of shit to get there, I’m prepared to do it.

I’m glad there are people out there like Mike who are living proof that hard work and serious dedication pays off, and not only that, but they have these incredible stories – a mixture of both good and bad – of their journey to get there. I know my story won't be anywhere near as exciting as his, but I hope to at least have a story.

So, not only did I get to go to a gig for my birthday, I also got a nice little life lesson. If anyone is thinking of 21st birthday presents for me already, organising a one on one chat over a pint with Mike would be favourite…