Semester two began last week, and so far I'm feeling pretty settled back into university life. Next week has a very busy schedule with two deadlines coming up but I feel somewhat calm and collected, in knowing everything will be fine. I remember how last year's assignments and practicals used to throw me but a lot of it was very much in the mind, if that makes sense? Last year, I was scared because it was the unknown and I didn't really know what was expected of me. But now I do and it feels good! Ironed out all of those creases in first year. Ironing. Sigh, I'm looking at all the clothes on my floor that need washing, forget ironing.
I think it's definitely reflecting in my university performance as well. I mean, Alhamdullilah so far, every single assignment I've handed in has been over 70% (yes!), and that makes me feel so happy. It's not just the itsy bitsy practicals worth 10% either. Just before the Christmas holidays began my Molecular Biology & Applications module came to an end, and we were examined in a Data Handling Test which was worth 33%. I remember coming out of that exam feeling confident it went well and my work had paid off. And it did! 85% I achieved and when I found out it absolutely made my day, heck, my week. It meant I only had to achieve 63% in the second exam for that module to get a First.. I sat that exam last week, and hopefully, it'll be good news when the results come out. I'll let you all know as soon as I get my mark!
My message is, for all those second (or third, etc) year university students out there who like me, felt they could have done better the year before, is don't give up. Everyone comes into university with an idea of succeeding and doing incredibly well, and very often it's not always how we imagined it to be. The experience you take away from your first year, and the lessons you learn however are valuable in themselves and should drive you to make amends and improve. It does get better, but only if you keep trying!
How's your university experience going?
Lots of love.
Lots of love.
