“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle.” Lewis Carroll.
Finding out who you are is a crucial element in the pursuit of happiness and fulfilment, but once you’ve achieved this, it is more important to release everything that you are; to be yourself.
By this I mean breaking out of your shell, revealing your personality. For most of us, how far out of our shell we go, depends entirely on the situation and/or environment we are in. At home, we are likely to be open and comfortable with our natural actions and personality, whereas when we are placed in a new situation we are more likely to retract into our protective coating and reveal only the bare minimum. As the situation and environment becomes more of a regular occurrence, we begin to leave parts of our shell behind, until it has been completely discarded; surplus to requirements.This first term at University has demonstrated this process throughout. Fresher’s week was a case of poking your head out to say your name, where you’re from and one interesting thing about you (much like those awful ‘icebreaker’ exercises which make you feel more uncomfortable than when the ice was left untouched) before frantically sipping your drink, knowing that as the glass gets emptier, things get a lot more comfortable and you’re willing to tell almost anything.
As the weeks have passed by at a very intimidating speed, people have become cosy in each other’s company and completely natural in the environment. This growth of comfort has enabled good friendships to blossom, some that could develop into strong bonds that last a life time. We all know that these friendships will rarely come close to replacing or even matching our relationships with friends back home, but they dig the foundations for a home, away from home.
It’s amazing how quickly someone that you have just met becomes a good friend, someone that you can trust and confide in. We all have our highs and lows; everyone has experienced the vertigo of fresher’s fortnight; right down to the murky depths of having no money and more than enough work. It’s when somebody notices that you’re feeling down, without hint or cue that you realise they’re a friend.
This term has been incredible. I’ve learned so much academically, but far more in life education. Unfortunately there isn’t an exercise book or any academic sources for the latter, but that’s half the fun. At least you don’t have to reference it.
So, Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat and if anyone wants to chuck a penny in this young man’s’ hat, that would be most appreciated. The only negative that overshadows this term is the sorry state of my finances. If it wasn’t for the Royal Bank of Mum and Dad bailing me out here and there I could well be malnourished by now. It’s ok I’m not expecting a Christmas present and after reading this, I’m hoping no one else will be, not from me anyway.
There are other things that I have learned from term:
1. Whoever said that you don’t have to do any work in your first year at University was quite clearly lying.
2. Chips are best accompanied by burger sauce, but only from Ali’s.
3. University destroys your sleep pattern. To back up this statement, it is currently 02:09am and I am still up writing this rubbish.
4. My decision not to invest in Football Manager before coming here was a wise one, having seen the levels of addiction it has caused to others.
5. And finally, just because the Fire Alarm goes off, it does not necessarily mean there is a fire. It may just be some drunken idiot on the third floor playing silly buggars.
Anyway, as noted it’s getting late so that’s enough from me. Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year awaits us. A year of Ashes retention, house hunting and.........oh yeah, exams.
I’ll sign off by quoting a Christmas poem that was read to me every Christmas eve without fail, back in the days when Santa was still alive.
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.”
x
