17:29:00

Singapore

Earlier this summer, while we were on our way to Australia, we stopped off in Singapore for a couple of  days. Whilst we got off to a rocky start after Emirates lost our baggage (not what you need when you're jet lagged and travelling to the other side of the world, trust me), I fell in love with Singapore. The tropical climate was a shock to the system, but it felt incredible to be in a lush, green oasis surrounded by nature and innovative architecture that was so unlike anything I've seen before. My only regret is that I didn't get to see more of this beautiful place.

If you're heading over to Singapore, I'd highly recommend you visit Gardens By The Bay and partake in the Cloud Walk as it's an Instagrammer's paradise. Also, go to the Raffles Hotel to try their famous cocktail, the Singapore Sling and if you're wallet allows it, eat in their 1st class restaurant. It was honestly the strangest experience of my life being waited on like I was royalty and the chef was so kind as to create a 3 course, vegetarian meal just for me.

I'll be back, Singapore.

15:07:00

2016 Highlights

For me, 2016 didn't have the best start - after dropping out of uni at the end of 2015, I had no definitive plans for the future and was just generally feeling a bit down. There were no jobs going and it took a couple of nail biting months until I finally heard back from ucas to say that I'd got an offer from a uni I really wanted to go to for a degree that I really wanted to study. During this time, I was feeling so poor, isolated and frustrated that I never would have guessed that 2016 would turn out to not be so bad! Here are my 2016 highlights (most of them take place in the second half of the year as that was when everything started to fall into place and I finally got my shit together!):

• I went to see the Britain's Got Talent auditions in London - thanks for inviting me Hannah!
• I became a vegetarian in February and haven't looked back since!
• Went to London with the fam, had cocktails on a rooftop bar and shared a lift with Alex from Made In Chelsea. 
• I ran my very first 10k at the end of May! I didn't finish it very quickly at all but was super proud of myself for finishing, especially as during my training I had never ran that distance before.
• I then ran 5k for Cancer Research in June with my friend - again, wasn't very quick and ngl I struggled more than I did for the 10k, but felt good to have raised some money!
• I finally got a job!!! $$$
• I went to sunny and colourful Copenhagen in June with the fam. It was so hot that I burned on the first day but I enjoyed exploring the city and particularly Tivoli World. The only bad thing about Copenhagen was the lack of meat free options for me :( I still haven't gotten round to sharing any photos from that trip on the blog but let me know if you'd like to see that!
• At the end of June I got to see my absolutely favourite band in the whole, wide world - Coldplay! Perhaps not a band for everyone but I absolutely loved it! Didn't really feel like paying £££ to stand but next time maybe!
• Saw the Red Arrows at Farnborough Airshow in July. They didn't do their usual performance due to safety concerns but was still awesome to see them fly over.
• I started a new degree at a new university and I am absolutely loving it!
• Again, not a highlight as I miss her terribly, but I said goodbye to my sister who's gone travelling around South East Asia and Australia, but a definite highlight for her.
• After doing my exam/handing in a bunch of assignments at uni (some which I've got the mark back for, some which I haven't) I'm  consistently getting 2:1's which I'm pleased about (although I'm determined to get at least one first in semester 2).
• I worked my little butt off at uni in November/December so that I'd be able to go to Berlin with my parents without having to worry about any assignments. Berlin was absolutely amazing and so so so festive! I would love to go back! Still need to post photos from that trip too...
• Despite my sister not being home for Christmas for the first time ever, I actually had such a lovely Christmas! We had a bunch of family members stay with us for over a week (some who I rarely get to see) and it was so fun!

I'm well aware that 2016 has been a bit of a shit show, you only have to look at the headline news stories to figure that out, but for the first time in a few years, I'm actually feeling pretty optimistic about transitioning into the new year. I've already got a few potentially exciting plans for 2017 including running (possibly) 4 more 10ks and (hopefully) going to see my sister in Australia in the summer!!! Bring on 2017.

What have been your highlights of 2016? What are you looking forward to in 2017?

10:36:00

University: Commuting From Home

University is considered a right of passage for most and it's only assumed that everyone will move straight into halls for their first year. Let me assure you that this is not the case. If you've been reading this blog for a while now, you would know that I dropped out of university last year after just one semester. Part of this was due to the crappy course I was on, part of it was because I made like two friends but a large part of it was because I hated living in halls. I was lucky since my university was a half an hour drive away from my house, meaning that I could go home easily whenever I wanted, but I realised pretty early on that living in halls just wasn't for me. This post isn't meant to scare or intimidate anyone who's just applied to uni, because after all, I am just one person and I know plenty of people who have thrived whilst living in halls, however maybe it will reassure the handful of people out there who are considering commuting from home but are concerned, that commuting is perfectly normal and that there's nothing to worry about.

I feel as though people often consider commuters as boring since they're missing out on the social scene in halls. In fact, if I had a penny for the amount of times neighbours or other random people question me why I commute, my purse would be full. They all voice the same concerns about me missing out on the social side of uni and quite frankly it pisses me off. I used to get quite flustered and self conscious whenever the topic of uni would come up in conversations and it's only after attending uni for two months and meeting half a dozen commuters that it's made me not give a toss about their opinions. You know what, I'm so much more happier commuting to university every day than when I was living in halls last year, and that's the most important thing. My life motto at the moment is you do you, and I'll do me.

If you're worried about being the only commuter, don't be. I was too and within the first few weeks of uni I had met 3 other people on just my course alone/taking one of my modules who were all commuting. Apart from one girl I often get the train with, we all come from different directions. I've also made friends with lots of other people on my course who live in halls, most of them are having a fab time, some of them don't get along with their flatmates but that's just proof that your course mates are just as important as your flatmates. I was initially worried that people living in halls would look down on me for living at home, but not one person I've met so far has criticised me. It's refreshing not to be asked invasive questions about my reasons for living at home and I feel so grateful that I've managed to make friends with such lovely people.

Don't get me wrong, commuting has its disadvantages - sometimes my train is delayed, I have to get up earlier than most people and most of my modules involve group work, meaning it can be a struggle to find the time to meet up to work. On the other hand, the train journey is a perfect time to study, I don't have to worry about getting homesick and I'm also saving SO MUCH MONEY (which is honestly a relief after wasting so much money when I dropped out of uni last year). I'm glad that my student loan is enough to cover my train tickets as well as food from the M&S at the train station which tempts me every single day but it's also nice to have the extra money from working part time too.

At this moment in time, I don't know where the future will take me. Most of my friends who live in halls are already looking at houses for next year and I still haven't decided whether to start looking with them or continue to commute. Honestly, I actually don't mind living at home but I'm also not against living at university so we'll just have to wait and see.

If you're considering commuting to university, I would 100% recommend it but it's completely up to you. Don't just go along with what everyone else is doing and actually put your needs first. Living at home works for some people and doesn't for others. Just do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable and remember, whatever you choose, you're not alone.