Girl Meets UNI

Today I want to talk to you about something a bit deeper than writing essays and cleaning dorm rooms. I want to talk about the painfulness of being far away from the people you love when something bad happens and they need you, or you need them.

The last month of my life has been a bit difficult. I received some terrible news. To make a long story short: my parents are splitting up. Being the oldest of my siblings, with two younger borthers, it has been hard, for many resons. First, I am the protective kind. I want to be there for my brothers. To hug them and tell them that everything will be fine (even though I sometimes have my doubts). I know how hard I find it to talk to my friends about it, to find the words to say and make someone undestand my feelings (this is point two), and I know my brothers will find that quite a test as well. And I want to talk to them about my feelings too. I'm used to having people around me, people that I love and people that love me, my family. Third: I need someone to understand me. And even though I have great, truly great, friends here to help, it just seems impossible to find the right words. And I think that would be the case for many others going through stuff as well.

I want to tell you that if you are going through something, and you find it hard to handle, that is okay. Do not think that your problems are of less importance or just silly little issues that does not at all compare to other people's stuff. No one has the right to disqualify your struggles, or to tell you to stop whining because someone else has it worse. You are allowed to feel down. When you are ready, try to process whatever you're going through. Try to talk to someone. It doesn't have to be a friend, there are always someone available to help, but your friends will try and help you in every way they can. Don't give up just because there is something in your way, because it can get better, and it will.

And when you need that hug from a loved one back home, know that the day will come when you will get it. And that one, sought after hug will be one of the best hugs you ever received. It might even make you realize that you can do this. You can.

xx

1: Receive Assignment Brief

Stage number one of assignment writing is one that is sometimes easy and sometimes almost the worst. The first one doesn't seem so bad. There are not that many words to write, and you are ready. Then you go to another class, and get another assignment brief, and you get a bit demotivated. Then the third one is given to you. If you've never felt despair before, that feeling you have might be it.

2: The Super-Motivated Stage

You can absolutely do this! There's nothing stopping you. You can do anything until proven otherwise. Let's begin!

3: Where to Begin?

Motivation rapidly disappears as you realize you don't know where to start and what the assignment is even asking. And you're afraid to ask your lecturer because let's face it, you have procrastinated. You desperately search through books, internet, parents, friends, anything that might help, and you still have no clue.

4: To Hell With It

You don't need school. You can make money anyway. Screw essays and reports! How much do strippers make in an hour?


5: Cracking the Code

You realize stripping might not be for you (especially if you love pizza and hate running, like me) and decide to try and pull yourself together. You find a journal you can use. You have a week left. There is still time. There is still hope. The super hero that is you types out a marvelous (at least pass material) paper, and you walk up (or run, depending on how late you finish) proudly, to turn in what you have. You did it. You're done. Drinks are on me

Have you ever noticed how comfy floors are to sit on? I have. I love sitting on the floor. I don't really know why, though. Maybe it's because on the rare occasion I can actually see it, I am so proud of myself for having tidied up that I just have to sit on it.

You see, I'm not the neatest girl in the world when it comes to my apartment (it's really just a dorm room, but I feel so much more grown up when I say apartment. It does have a bathroom, so...). Every now and again I will have an intense need to tidy it, but usually I can live, even thrive, in the chaos. When I moved to uni, however, keeping my room to a certain standard has become important. I can still thrive in the chaos, don't worry, but we actually have cleaners here. Yes, I know, I am priviledged. They don't get to do their job unless the floors are clear, and, honestly, who would want some stranger to see their bad, messy habits? So tonight the room is getting a makeover.

Another thing that is going to happen tonight is I am going to google how my fridge works, because there's water in it. I don't think there's supposed to be water in it. And I seem to have thrown away the instruction in a moment of insanity.

Wish me luck! I am so easily distracted I will probably only clean for a couple of minutes before doing something entirely different...

xx