I received an Unconditional offer to study at the University of Dundee at the beginning of March 2016. So I had a long wait between receiving my offer of acceptance and finally packing my car and uprooting my life. I hope you understand, therefore, that the reality check of actually being at university has been rather overwhelming for me.

As I mentioned previously it has been a whole two years since I waved goodbye to the world of school. The world of textbooks an deadlines and studying – for a while there I believed I was done with that part of life forever. We never know, of course, where life may lead us, and here I am, thrown back into that world from which I was so eager to flee.

My tranquil life of coffee making has been thrown up in a whirl, and while I am feeling more fulfilled than at any moment in the past two years, I am most certainly feeling more challenged also. I forgot the difficulties I have with sitting in a class, therefore my first two hour lecture was most certainly a challenge. It has made me decide I will print all lecture material prior to attending – otherwise loss of focus shall be a constant challenge. I felt so intimidated by reading lists that until half and hour ago I hadn’t even looked at them. Reminding myself that this is what I want, I gathered my courage and ventured into the library to print and read the materials I need.

The course and daily structure of my life has changed dramatically in the past few weeks, and I am beginning to understand what people mean when they say university can be overwhelming. This is me making the choice, however, not to be overwhelmed, and to embrace my new reality.

Nic