Bravo, dear Luca. As an inveterate iconoclast and non-conformist, I can attest that it only gets better. Having a life of one’s own design, accountable only to oneself, and fragrant with emancipation from the madding crowd is priceless.
I think it’s common for people to expect a certain lifestyle when starting university - the feeling of being lost and partying, meeting random strangers, making mistakes etc. But there’s a deeper meaning to it all. It’s about building the person you are, creating your authenticity, investing in your future, and starting to take control of a life that was once controlled by a linear and predictable curriculum and education system. Things become more flexible until you graduate and nobody tells you what to do, nor expects anything. So rather than seeing the surface of partying, getting drunk etc. It’s important to dig deeper and ask why. I personally didn’t do these things but I didn’t feel like I was missing out in hindsight. But I’m definitely not the person I was going into my first year.
"There’s an unavoidable sense of isolation to being the odd one out"
This feels like the quintessential quote to describe my university experience so far. I also don't like drinking or clubbing and instead of engaging with that, I tried making friends on my course and in societies, both of which ended up with nothing gained and the last shreds of dignity falling away like dilapidated wallpaper.
With university, we expect at some point to be like the movies or TV shows. To be sat on a hill overlooking campus with a friendship group where you all get along and enjoy eachother's company. Sadly, this is becoming further from the norm.
Thanks for writing this piece and I hope that you're doing alright. Great piece as usual and one which I think many people, including myself resonate with.
Bravo, dear Luca. As an inveterate iconoclast and non-conformist, I can attest that it only gets better. Having a life of one’s own design, accountable only to oneself, and fragrant with emancipation from the madding crowd is priceless.
Appreciate your thoughts Theodore. I’m glad the essay resonated with you!
“I was certain that my grass was greener, not because anything had changed, but because I’d finally stopped looking over the fence.” YES!
Thank you for reading!
Really enjoyed reading this essay, good work Luca!
Much appreciated, Isaac.
This is an intensely relatable experience that you've articulated so well. Great essay, Luca.
Thank you so much for reading!
I think it’s common for people to expect a certain lifestyle when starting university - the feeling of being lost and partying, meeting random strangers, making mistakes etc. But there’s a deeper meaning to it all. It’s about building the person you are, creating your authenticity, investing in your future, and starting to take control of a life that was once controlled by a linear and predictable curriculum and education system. Things become more flexible until you graduate and nobody tells you what to do, nor expects anything. So rather than seeing the surface of partying, getting drunk etc. It’s important to dig deeper and ask why. I personally didn’t do these things but I didn’t feel like I was missing out in hindsight. But I’m definitely not the person I was going into my first year.
Absolutely, thanks for reading!
"There’s an unavoidable sense of isolation to being the odd one out"
This feels like the quintessential quote to describe my university experience so far. I also don't like drinking or clubbing and instead of engaging with that, I tried making friends on my course and in societies, both of which ended up with nothing gained and the last shreds of dignity falling away like dilapidated wallpaper.
With university, we expect at some point to be like the movies or TV shows. To be sat on a hill overlooking campus with a friendship group where you all get along and enjoy eachother's company. Sadly, this is becoming further from the norm.
Thanks for writing this piece and I hope that you're doing alright. Great piece as usual and one which I think many people, including myself resonate with.
Harry thanks so much for reading! I’m really glad that the essay resonated with you.
don’t worry no one nose
Oh that’s wonderfulllll