Notes to My Past Self (or, 10 Things I Learned From My First Term Abroad or, The End: Part Un)

Greetings from behind my stack of books and the eleventh hour of the Hilary Term! All around me students are poring over their papers and problem sets, while some (like me) are simultaneously making plans for the upcoming holiday. Two months ago I was an absolutely clueless visiting student and procrastinating by floundering around on this website. And now I am still floundering on this website, but hopefully a little less clueless as a visiting student. As I begin my last week of Hilary, here are just 10 of the many things I have picked up throughout my time here so far:

1. A blog post a week? Ambitious. But sure, go for it anyway.

2. Contrary to popular belief, money does NOT grow on trees. PSA: if your parents fund your education/any aspect of your life, you should thank them now. Right now. After reading this post. I am blessed to have incredible parents who work hard to help me pursue opportunities big and small, not the least of which is this study abroad experience. Having to grocery shop every week, painstakingly plan out my meals, or pay for other random occurrences that come up (it costs HOW much to get a haircut here???), and with money that mostly isn’t even mine, has given me a renewed perspective and appreciation for the sacrifices my parents have made—and a healthy fear of the working world. Great timing, seeing as I have a year left in the security blanket that is college.

3. Tea + milk + sugar = good. The conversion is happening, people.

4. Never underestimate the power of alone time. I’ve always been more on the introverted side; I love spending time with my family and friends, but there are definitely moments when I feel it’s almost necessary to withdraw in order to recharge. In a way, this prepared me for the kind of routine I would get into here at Hertford. With the two forms of schooling being one-on-one discussions or lectures, and readings and essays the only form of assignments, a lot of time is spent in the library or in my room, deep in thought or pretending to be deep in thought. I’m also familiar enough with my writing process to know that I sometimes need complete and total solitude to be able to write at my best: which again goes back to how my studying spirit animal may very well be a cat—I get distracted by anything, I think it's a superpower. But on the other hand...

5. Never underestimate the power of being with others. I can get so comfortable in this routine of studying alone and taking breaks alone that I have to manually remind myself to socialize (fellow introverts, you get me). When I do, though, I don’t regret it. Simply being with other people—whether it's dinner in the evening, a walk on a sunny day, or weekly yoga classes—gives me a sense of peace and contentment that I can’t quite replicate in being by myself.

6. You will never fully understand how roads work here. Sure, the cars go in the "opposite direction," but it’s a scientific fact that standing at the edge of a road in England will make your brain forget which way to look every. Single. Time. Your best bet is to wait at a crosswalk, or until the street is 110% empty, to cross the street.

7. First rule for tutorials: don’t panic. It seemed like a lot, especially because this was something I'd never experienced before. But tutorials also turned out to be the space I never knew I needed; a chance to share my ideas (fully-formed or not), and discuss topics I am passionate about with someone who thrives off my enthusiasm. I have become more confident in voicing my opinion and challenging my entrenched ways of thinking. (And if past me is indeed reading this: don’t worry, you will still love Charles Dickens with all your heart after reading seven of his works.)

8. If you think you’re dressed all nice and snuggly for your walk in the cold, shed at least one layer. Wherever you’re walking, you will be dripping in sweat by the time you get there, no matter how slowly or quickly you move. 

9. Time will absolutely fly by here. Ever have that phenomenon where you look back at something and it seems so long ago, but then the future comes before you know it (and then a week later the same thing happens)? No? Basically, make the most of every minute you’re in, however you choose to spend it.

10. You are much more capable than you think. To anyone who needs to hear this, whether they are about to go abroad, transition into a new job, or embark on any kind of monumental change: you got this. It’s natural that the doubts and misgivings will work their way in there; I honestly don’t trust anyone who goes into something with complete, undaunted confidence. But here’s another little truth: it’s always less scary than you think it is. That tunnel (or 7-hour plane ride) you can’t seem to see the end of does have a destination, a place to stay and warm smiles to welcome you. Those faceless, mysterious people you haven’t met yet are human beings too, who have fears and worries of their own. So if there are times when it seems impossible to overcome the negative emotions inside you, counter it with a positive vision of the future: the endless beautiful possibilities that could happen...and what an inevitably wonderful adventure awaits. 

So what next? After this week I will be going on a seven(!!!)-week break that will probably go just as quickly as these past eight weeks. If all goes according to plan, this might turn into a real ~tRavEL blOG~. But given everything I've just listed, I'm not always the best at anticipating things, am I?