Sims Transgender Option

So I logged onto my Sims 4 today after a long time of not playing it, I sat and installed the updates and when I went to create a new set of Sims I noticed something new... You can now choose to not give your Sim a gender, by doing this you are faced with four options; Physical frame (Masculine or Feminine), Clothing preference (Masculine or Feminine), whether the sim is capable of becoming pregnant or impregnating others and the ability to use the toilet standing up.

This is really different to my normal blog post but I just wanted to address this briefly and comment on how great it is that this has finally become an option within the game. Allowing the diversity and accepting that some people choose not to define themselves as male or female or perhaps as transgender demonstrates how more accepting society is becoming of this. Of course if you were to read the news then you might disagree with this after the attacks at the gay clubs in Orlando. Or from the drama that was caused by parents when it was revealed that you saw a lesbian couple for a couple of seconds in Finding Dory - like do they not realise who plays Dory? Its Ellen freaking Degeneres people and this is 2016, get a grip with yourself and become more open to accepting different sexuality's and identities. Although I consider myself to be straight, it really bothers me that people can't just be accepting and treat those that aren't like they have a disease.

Hopefully with The Sims being such a popular game among the younger generation, it will help to change the way that society views sexuality and identity regardless of their parents views. Weird comparison to make but if Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty can affect a child's behaviour then surely something like this could have an impact in a positive way as well.

Does anyone else view the world in the same way as I do - that no one can give themselves a label as far as their sexuality goes because we are all attracted to both men and women just some towards one or the other more than others?

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Graduation, Celebrations and Your Questions Answered

Some of you may know that I have recently finished my three years at Bath Spa university and yesterday I can proudly say that I got to wear a cap and gown whilst accepting the official certificate on a stage infront of hundreds of people at Bath Abbey.  So I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you about the day and hopefully answer any questions/worries that you might have about graduation. 

What is graduation?

Graduation is the name of a formal ceremony that you attend after completing your degree at university (or college if your American) whilst wearing a mortar board and gown. 

So up early at 6:30am and out the door by 8 for a 10am ceremony...I had a lot of nerves and so only ate a very small bowl of rice krispies. Before getting to the Abbey I had to  register in a hall where they also fitted your gown, hood and hat onto you and gave you a seat number. In the hall there were loads of tables set up for registering and gown fitting as well as a professional photo area, a fun photo booth and a number of advisory alumni 'what to do after uni' type of advice stands. We then walked over to the Abbey where a crowd of graduates with their family and friends had started to gather outside and we all started taking many photos together. I hadn't seen many of my friends for almost 2 months so it was nice to take the opportunity to have a catch up. It turned 9:15 and the front doors opened so everyone started to file in, I left my family with my belongings to go and sit in the graduates area where I found a programme full of names of everyone graduating on my chair which made a nice souvenir. I was fortunate enough to be sat near a few people that I had worked closely with so we got chatting.  

The ceremony was announced open by the head of the school of Humanities and Cultural Industries. He announced the arrival of various staff whom then paraded solemnly through the middle of the Abbey, taking their seats on stage to a piece of music that could easily get played at a funeral. The head of the school then made some long speech about the digital industry evolving throwing in a number of jokes and references about Brexit and taxes whilst of course congratulating everyone on finishing their degrees. They then started reading out names as we each got our moment to cross the stage, shake our head of departments hand, collect our certificate before sitting back down. This surprisingly didn't take as long as you might think and whilst waiting for your turn you clapped as hard as you could clap each time one of your friends names was read out. The student valedictory then gave a brilliant speech,  quoting Lord of the Rings before we were told to take off our caps. The ceremony was then announced as closed where the staff started a procession back out, this time followed by graduates to a much happier tune,  another crowd was waiting outside of the Abbey to watch everyone leave where we then continued to socialise and take more photos this time with our degree in hand. 

After the ceremony, still in cap and gown we decided to hop in the car and to take some photos up at The Crescent, The Circus and throughout the picturesque grounds of uni. (If you go back to 'Bath' you'll find some info on what the circus and Crescent both are) We all had a lovely family meal at one of the first restraunts we visited in Bath when I first arrived before returning my cap and gown. I stayed an extra night in my old student house with all of my fellow housemates as we of course decided to go out for cocktails in celebration of our achievement!

Question time!

I had a lot of questions and worries before graduation and starting uni so I thought I would answer some of them here as well as Q's about my own degree for anyone with the same thoughts. (Disclaimer: different unis may vary this is just based on my own experience)

What degree did you do?

Media Communications BA (Hons) and I achieved a 2:1.

How hard is university?

Very hard but don't let that put you off because I can honestly say that it was the best three years of my life. You meet so many new people, create so many memories and learn how to live in the real world.  

Can anyone go to university?  

Yes...well technically yes, you have to earned the awards before reaching university age. In the UK that means you need GCSE's and A-Levels (or equivalent).

Is it scary attending graduation? 

Like I stated above, I was super nervous right up to the point of being stood by the stage waiting to hear my name but the second they call it you immediately forget the nerves and just concentrate on walking, shaking a guys hand then sitting back down. 

What if my cap and gown doesn't fit?

Before you graduate you have to fill out a form with your measurements but they have a pile of different sizes on hand as well as a big pot of hair pins to hold your hat on your head if need be.

What if they call my name wrong?

They confirm your name on the day before you go up onto the stage and if you have an unusual name then they contact you in advance to confirm the pronunciation of it. 

Do I have to attend graduation to graduate? 

No, they just send your certificate in the mail but you don't get to wear the fancy hat.

I don't drink and I feel uncomfortable in social situations is uni for me?

SNAP! This is me all over and on the first day of Freshers week after being dropped off I sat in my room and cried through fear. The uni tends to offer non party events through out as well as a more recent thing of an alcohol free event. I sucked it up and forced myself to go out with my housemates to the parties to be social but then left after 30-60mins. The people I came across had so much respect when I said I didn't drink (confused after my night of cocktails? I started to drink in 3rd year). To answer the question,  yes uni is for you as it is so much more than parties and drinking.

Should I go to uni?

Personal choice, more and more other ways are becoming available to those who don't want to go to uni they are just a lot less advertised. 

If you have any other questions feel free to drop them in the comments and I shall try to answer them.

I did it! - Bath Abbey

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A Trip to Prior Park, Bath

So you will probably know, if you live in the UK, that the past few days have been scorching!! If your not in the UK then I imagine you will still know this because of how crazy we brits have been going on social media about this mad weather. In a moment of stress and depression because I was not out in the sunshine and I was instead inside doing the last piece of work for my degree I decide to take a day trip to Prior Park. A National Trust landscape garden on the outskirt of Bath, for the three years that I have lived here I have wanted to go there and today was that day. Now our trip started off badly, we discovered that actually...we were terrible at buses so ended up getting on the right bus route but in the wrong direction so a 10 minute trip actually took almost an hour. At a small cost of £7.50 the gardens was definitely a place worth visiting as it had a gorgeous lake and it was able to offer us some amazing views over the city. On that note, here are some of my wonderful photographs for you to enjoy...

If you've reached this far then great! My next post will be a recipe for some of the most delicious millionaire shortbreads!!!! Very easy to do so come back on Friday to find out how to make them!!!

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The 25 Question Tag

What is your middle name? May which is also my birth month

What was your favourite subject at school? Media and History

What is your favourite song at the moment? Oh gosh, I don't really have one at the moment I don't think... I am loving Coldplay's Hymn For The Weekend though and Mia's Paper Planes

What is your favourite food? Fish and Chips with a curry sauce or Pizza or Chicken Pie...basically I just love food

What is the last thing that you bought? A memory stick :') and something I didn't buy myself but is for me is a new Naked palette.... Naked 2

Favourite book of all time? I really liked Zoe Sugg's Girl Online books, I struggle to get into reading so I love finding a book I enjoy enough to want to keep reading

Favourite colour? Purple

Do you have any pets? A 7 year old dalmatian, Chesil and I have a black cat called Casper...we had his brother, a tabby called Ginger but he passed away last summer

Favourite perfume? Calvin Klein Euphoria

Favourite holiday? Oh my gosh I can't choose just 1!!! NYC was amazing but so was Florida and Rome and Switzerland :')

Are you married? No

Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times? Probably about 10 or 11 times

Do you speak any other language? I can count to ten in German?

How many siblings do you have? One, a sister...Jas who is two years younger than me

What is your favourite shop? Does it have to be fashion? I have recently discovered an online store called Typo and I also love ASOS

Favourite restaurant? I love the Hall and Woodhouse restaurants but I also love Italian food and Prezzo's does a great Carbonara

When was the last time you cried? A few days ago when watching Say Yes To The Dress...the bride had a touching story and I just welled up 

Favourite Blog? Honestly?....I don't really read any particular blogs

Favourite Movie? A sucker for Rom-Com's....Footloose, Tangled, Saving Mr Banks, Sex and The City

Favourite TV show? Pretty Little Liars and Teen Wolf although I have recently gotten into Orphan Black and I am loving it!

PC or Mac? Now I would say I am a MAC girl but only because of how great their graphics are and how lightweight they are too...was very very against getting a MAC but it's been a whole year this month since I got one and I have fallen for it big time

What phone do you have? iPhone 5C in Blue...can't wait to upgrade soon though and go back to a Samsung!

How tall are you? About 5ft 5/5ft 4

Can you cook? I like to think I can...I can do the basics at least 

Tell me something about you in the comments below

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Two Gigs In One Week: Adele

*Voiceover lady* "Previously on Two Gigs In One Week...Sammy went to see Little Mix in Cardiff" Ok so to continue on from my previous post the following weekend I went to London to see the legend that is Adele at the O2 arena its gonna be a long one so grab a cuppa tea and get comfy. We made the most of the weekend and spent a couple of nights there, the hotel/apartment place was awful other than the amazing view and brilliant location which was right across the river from the O2.

We arrived late Friday night and then spent Saturday exploring London. We had breakfast in a Weatherspoon's on Grace Church which ok is nothing special but when you walk into the building it looks amazing! Honestly, it looked like the inside of Gringotts bank from Harry Potter with grande ceiling to floor pillars and the room was massive, if your a lover of spoons then I recommend a visit. If your from the outside of the UK then Weatherpoons is essentially a chain of British pubs with cheaply priced food and drink. We then walked through Leadenhall Market which was completely empty with everything locked up, somewhere I imagine would normally be very hustly and bustly in the middle of the week. 

A very empty Leadenhall Market

The Shard

The Tower of London

We continued our walk seeing the Shard and the Gherkin building before ending up down by The Tower of London which was an area that was full of tourists. We decided to visit the Tower Bridge exhibition which meant climbing the many many stairs up to the top and walking along the bridge where we got some incredible views over the city.

The Tower of London

View from the top of Tower Bridge including St Pauls Cathedral, I particularly loved the cranes that you can see because they were all different colours and for some reason in my head it looked as if they were dancing around each other

When walking down the otherside of the river we came across Borough market which was another incredible experience. You name it and I am sure that they sold it...Lobsters, Meat, Flowers, Fruit, Vegtables basically everything! There were so many people shouting about their produce to the overwhelmingly busy crowd as we pushed through between them, I had never seen anything quite like it. Yes I had been to a market before but not one like this, it reminded me of something that you might have seen in Oliver.

We then took a boat down the river (like one of the ones you can see in the picture above) before then taking the cable cart over the river before hopping onto the DLR to get back to where we were staying. I was super nervous about the cable cart as I've never always kind of feared anything like it or flying etc but it was really cool getting to see everything around you from a different perspective and it was really smooth as well. Quick stop for a shower and a rest before heading back out, this time to the O2 as we had booked a table at All Bar One prior to the show. The food was great, I had the Fish Cakes and then shared the Churros with my sister for dessert which I can not rave enough about because they were mindblowingly delicious! 

Our trip to the O2 made us all slightly nostalgic as last time we had all been to the O2 together it was when it was still called the millennium dome back in 2000, I was 4 and my sister would have been 2. 

Just a coincidence that my dad was wearing red in both of these images...
2016 and 2000 - Jas, Dad, Me in both photos

So Adele was absolutely incredible, I can not emphasise enough how powerful her voice is live and she brought everyone in the room to tears. For me the tear jerker was Someone Like You and when she sung Make You Feel My Love which I completely forgot was a song that she sung and apparently Jas had too when she turned to me right at the start to say "I was not prepared for this". Adele sung all of her hit singles including Skyfall, Chasing Pavements and Rumour Has It whilst hopping between the main stage and the B stage, she interacted with the audience pulling individuals up on stage for photos. There was also some story about dolphins and how they rape each other or something... random but completely hilarious. 

v

View from Block 418 Row M

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Two Gigs in One Week: Little Mix

Hi Guys!
Longtime no blog I know! I have been so super busy going between home and uni for a few weeks to help out at work as they are short staffed and now it is easter break I am at home for a solid 3 weeks which allows me more time to actually sit and blog between being a waitress and doing uni work. Guess which of the two I actually haven't done yet (oops) only 4 weeks almost to the date until my dissertation is due in... So anyway, in between all this crazy that has been going on in my life I took two trips to two different major cities for two very different types of gig all within 7 days of each other. (Split into two posts)

The first trip was to see Little Mix at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena on the first night of their 'Get Weird' tour with this lot of loonies...

I was completely buzzing with so much anticipation for this gig as I hadn't been to one in so long because of uni commitments and it wasn't until two weeks before the show that I knew I could go, thankfully my presentation deadline was changed!! I absolutely love the motorpoint arena as well because no matter where you are situated you have a perfect view of the stage and you don't feel like your miles away even if your up on the balcony!! We had well positioned seats, right in the middle 17 rows back, not a problem because like it said it was a perfect view and as a result of the nature of the audience most of the three rows in front of us had actually emptied by the time we had gotten halfway through the set.

(Thanks for unknowingly letting me steal your photo Zack)

The girls put on a brilliant show, in comparison to the previous year on their Salute tour I did have extremely high expectations and I wouldn't say it was as strong of a show this time round however I did still really enjoy it. The show was set in a forest environment with a number of videos in between songs showing the girls travelling to Club Weird and at the start the girls were thrown into the air and then dropped down to the stage as if they had been thrown into some crazy world under a spell. After the gig we ended up walking around Cardiff for ages only to find that we had basically walked right past the bar we had been looking and then the following day we went out for breakfast together at Eds Diner. I loved the two days that we spent together in Cardiff as we haven't all seen each other together since last summer so it gave us a good chance to have a catchup.

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Social Anxiety

So this blog post is more of a serious topic, I am quite a shy person and just over a year ago I was diagnosed with social anxiety. This is something I have had to deal with all my life along with many other people, it made school life really hard as I found it hard to talk to new people and when I did make friends, after a while I would become very paranoid which made me feel like they didn't really want to be my friends and that they were simply putting up with me. When I got to college life didn't become any easier as I was placed into a class of just guys and then little old me and considering I only had one friend whom went to a different college I became very lonely.

During this time at college I quit my job working at a hotel because my boss was a terrifying person, which again made my life easier as she accused me of being rude and various other things simply because I didn't say hi to her each day. So I left my hotel job to work in a cafe that was just starting up, everyone that worked there turned out to be lovely and 3 years down the line I am still working there between my studies at university.

Ok so that was a lovely story but what was your point Sammy? I am saying that as terrifying as getting a job, one of which consistently required endless amounts of socialisation with the customers each and every day it was one of the best things I could have possibly done. My confidence improved and I soon found that my day was basically scripted, greeting each customer with the same "Hello how are you today?" taking their order and then saying goodbye. Because of working at this cafe in such a friendly environment I gained the confidence to go to university, even though I panicked several times during the summer period before leaving home and cried on the first night after being dropped off by my parents because of how terrified I was about doing the whole social, club nights, drinking thing. The fact that I didn't drink and had never been to a party/club didn't help but I can honestly say, being sat here now 3 years down the line and about to graduate I am so proud of myself for doing it. I have a great group of friends who are in the complete know about my paranoia and will listen to me and re-assure me that I am crazy when I do freak out.

So for anyone who is in a similar situation to what I was 3 years ago I advise you to make the jump and to get a job and go to university as you will find people that understand you and how you feel. I don't feel like I am in a situation of telling people what to do I just remember feeling so crappy and scared about things and so I'm simply saying that life can get better.

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Why I love The Range

Anyone that knows me can tell you that I absolutely LOVE homeware! The Range is a chain store in the UK...if you don't know it then think of Ikea but smaller and more home accessories as oppose to flatpack furniture and it is so affordable. My room is full of stuff from The Range and even being sat here now I'm looking at my rug (thats under a pile of stuff) and thinking yeah that might have come from there too...I've lost track but here are a few things that I have purchased in the past year from there, they don't rotate their stock too often so they may have a few of these things still if you see something you like.

1- Pack of 2 White wicker baskets with a blue, fish covered lining. I don't have much space in my student room so its all about temporary storage and different ways to organise things.

2- Cushions, all four of these cushions are from from The Range, I actually brought two of the white fluffy cushions and left one back home because they are so soft

3- Fake Flowers, just something to brighten up the room a little bit.

4- Colourful bins, I keep these three on my windowsill with all my bath bombs from Lush in them - NOT Bath Melts...I learnt that the hard way and had to share a bath with the pink bin

5- White old looking watering can with some more fake flowers in them

6- Floral Bunting

I can't wait to get my own place as I will be spending an awful amount of time in The Range.

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#InternetFriendsDay

Happy #InternetFriendsDay !!!!! I thought I would make the most of this day and the fact that I have an empty day to tell you about my #InternetFriends. Theres me, Eddi and Lauren... it all started about 5 years and 2 or 3 months ago...I am a huge Jedward fan and 5 years ago it was at the point of obsession but thats another story. It all started when Eddi was writing fanfics and I had been reading them for only about a month or so (yes we were those kids but trust me it gets worse) and one day 14 year old Eddi posted onto Twitter "Is anyone from the South going to see the twins in Cardiff my dad can't take me anymore" and myself and a friend from home had organised a mini bus of people travelling up there for the gig and she seemed like a normal person so I dropped her a message.

So yeah on the 5th December, young Eddi with her quiff and Jedward inspired outfit came down to where we lived and travelled with us to Cardiff and back to see the twins. You could say that it was a bit of a risk for all involved and not the best way to meet someone through the internet in that way but we trusted each other and neither of us turned out to be a pedo called Paul who is 58 years old. So anyway thats how Eddi and I met and then 4 months later we grouped up with about 10 other Jedward fans to do a flashmob and also film a music video to promote Jedward's latest song Waterline down in Torquay.

So Eddi and I got a lift from my friend at the time, Zack who I had also only met once which was when I met the twins themselves for the first time a month or so before meeting Eddi. Lauren was the last person to arrive and we were trying to find her, Eddi had her number but freaked when calling her so threw the phone at me which was the first time I spoke to Lauren, hadn't even spoken to her on Twitter!!! We actually didn't really talk much on that day as I'm quite a shy person especially in big groups and at the time I was beyond shy so kept myself to myself even though I had spoken to a few of the girls online before we all met that day. After that however we all spoke online a lot and met up with each other individually...we actually all met up together again 2 weeks after we had been to Torquay as the twins were in Bristol filming Deal or No Deal so we went along to see if we could meet them again which we of course did!

So now, almost 6 years later... even though we are spread out across the country because of growing older and university being a thing Eddi, Lauren and I are all the best of friends!!!!

As you can see, meeting your internet friends in real life can be fun and I have met a lot of people from the internet before as for the socially awkward it makes initially meeting people so much easier just make sure you go about doing it the right way, take someone with you, tell someone where your going and when you'll be back and stay in touch with that person because they could turn out to be a pedo named Paul who is 58 years old.

Go say hey to my internet friends as they are both great!
Eddi - @ednalynxoxo
Lauren - @itsonlyylauren

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Learning about Life and Responsibilities

So amongst all of my excitement and anticipation over the past couple of years about the day that I finally get my own place which lets be honest is not going to happen until after graduation potentially for a little while (unless someone who works with a company who needs an Artworker see's this then drop me a message for my portfolio). I have spent so much getting excited and essentially designing and deciding on what it's going to look like and what I am going to buy to go in it that it has taken until now to actually realise that I have no clue about paying bills, getting the gas, water and electric's set up, finding a handy man to fix any problems I have. How do you learn this? Who tells you what you need to do? Is there someone I can call to do general DIY things around my house? I'm not stupid and I am sure I could work it out pretty easily but it wasn't until this year I found out that I need to use a special detector before putting nails into a wall to find out if there are any electrical wires going through it. As a three year university student living away from home I have learnt a lot but because I have always been in a group of which we have a lead tenant I haven't had to worry about setting any of this up...my job is to just make sure I transfer money for bills and rent to their account each month on time.

There is a great checklist over on this blog which I shall leave the link to >>> Checklist when I find out about paying bills and things like that then I shall get back to you to all so stay tuned!

Just some random brain farts coming out of my head that I have decided to write down, I haven't posted much recently (I know I still need to do my weekly PLL post) I have been incredibly busy with assignments for uni as I have had several deadlines. I have an entire week off soon, a trip to Center Parcs, 2 trips to London, with one being to see Adele at the O2 and another trip to see Little Mix in Cardiff and so I am hoping to get a few interesting posts lined up as I know that the closer I get to my dissertation deadline the less time I am going to have to focus on this blog. 

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Meal Inspiration

Quite often I find myself being hungry, going to my cupboard and just not feeling inspired to eat anything so either ordering take-out or just eating a packet of crisps or something which isn't exactly great. I have decided to put together a list of different meals and I figured that I couldn't be the only one with this problem so I may as well post it on here...tweet me or comment below with any other meal ideas/recipes.

Big Meals

Carbonara - Spaghetti, Grated Parmasan, Bacon, Egg

Chilli Con Carne - Mince, Chill Powder, Kidney Beans, Rice or Pasta

Bolognese - Mince, Tin Toms, Bolognese Powder, Sweetcorn, Carrot, Pasta

Mini Roast - Pork Chop, Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding, Gravy

Bangers and Mash - Sausages, Mash Potato, Gravy or Beans

Chicken, Salad and Crusty Bread

Pizza

Lasagne - Mince, Onion, Garlic, Stock Cube, Chopped Tomatos, Lasagne Sheets, Cheese

Shepards Pie - Mince, Carrots, Tomato Puree, Onion, Potato

Chicken Pie - Chicken Pie, Vegetables and Gravy

Ratatouille - Meatballs, Rice, Leek, Onion, Tin Tomatos

Light Meals

Jacket Potato with...Beans, Cheese, Mayo, Left over mince, Prawn Mayo

Sandwich...Fish fingers, ham, cheese, egg, prawns, chicken

Beans on Toast

Egg on Toast

Mushrooms on Toast

Stir Fry - Noodles, Soy Sauce, Stir Fry Mix

Quiche and Salad

Soup

Pizza Bread - Ketchup, Cheese, Bread

Nachos - Sour Cream, Salsa, Cheese, Tortilla Chips

Pasta with...

Mascapone Sauce

Tomato and Basil Sauce

Cheese Sauce - Flour, Milk, Butter, Cheese

Cheese

and Chips...

Chicken Nuggets

Fish

Sausage

Chicken

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Things I learnt as a student

I worked out this morning, whilst in the shower that I am now just over half way into my third and final year of university so here is a few things that I have learnt over these 3 years about life as a student.

1- Judgement free zone - When you first start uni you soon discover that it is a judgement free, care free zone, people honestly don't care if you turn up to class in a onesie, if you decide to spend the day in bed watching Netflix, people are understanding and they won't question either of these things.

2- A place for everyone - Whether you just want to get your head down and spend the three years working or if you want to go out and party every night of the week even if you have an exam the next day there will be other people that will be doing the same thing as you. Saying that, this is where societies also come into place; you name it and there will be a society for it, a place for potterheads, photographers, bakers, gamers.

3- Yik Yak is the place to be - Yik Yak is the place full of all of the campus gossip and where rumours are made, you hear all sorts of different confessions about what happened the night before on there and it can be a brilliant read whilst enduring the bus ride to campus.

4- Jobs aren't all that whilst your studying - Its the time when you want to be making the most of your life as you have minimal responsibilities and your a student so people don't have high expectations from you for anything. If you can afford to live off of your student loan then do and if you do have a job then make sure your employer is understanding enough to let you have less shifts when your deadlines start to build up.

5- Organisation is key - Everyone has their own ways of being organised, some have diaries, some have to-do lists but during your time at university I have found that having these things make life a whole lot easier. I currently have a calendar on my wall, a calendar on my laptop and phone, a list of deadlines on my wall, a smaller list of important dates coming up in the next 2 months on a whiteboard. You can get good grades, enough sleep and a decent social life you just have to plan ahead!! Not to say that I stick to my plans but its a start...

6- We all need Netflix - Netflix is the one to have, someone is always talking about what they watching on Netflix last night and it can be a great conversation starter. It might just be because I am a media student but my lecturer in first year started every session having a chin wag with us all about what happened on Breaking Bad.

7- Make the most of your uni life - Everyone says this before you go to uni and I can honestly say I agree with them. If your in a different part of the country to your home town then explore the area, meet new people, travel the world, binge watch your favourite movies. My housemates and I spent our first year hosting 'shit movie nights' where we would watch movies that had a rating of 3 or below on Imdb.

8- Choose your housemates wisely - the number of people I know that after living in halls in first year with people who they became very close to that are no longer living together is crazy. My house got lucky and I have been living with the same people for the entire 3 years because we just get on so well, sure we have our ups and downs but its because we get on so well that we get over them.

9- Student accomodation is...interesting - First year is halls, the best year for getting to know new people and being able to rely on a cleaner and knowing you'll always have wifi, hot water and central heating but...the cleaner will only clean if its clean already...yes I quite literally mean what it says. Our cleaners were really fussy, if the bins hadn't been taken out or if the dishes were still out on the side then rather than cleaning it we would receive a written warning...3 warnings and the entire block gets a fine.  Independent student housing is still great because you've chosen who you wish to live with this time but thats when the arguments come in...how much do you have the heating on? When is it the right time of year to turn the heating on? The house very quickly becomes a tip and slightly drafty...walls are paper thin meaning you hear EVERYTHING and the landlord tends to be a bit of an asshole so it takes a lot of messaging to get anything fixed (took us a year to get 1 of our showers fixed).

10 - You'll get sick of people asking you what your plans are for after graduation

But most of all...just make the most of it...as cliche as that sounds they are genuinely the best 3 years...stressful but full of fun when you can get away with so much

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