5 Ways University Helped Me out of My Shell

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Picture a lonely young teen, reading her Harry Potter in the corner while wistfully admiring those laughing with their friends in the playground below. Yep, that’s me.

Okay so maybe I wasn’t THAT bad but up until last year, I was a shy little Indian girl nervous about making friends and ‘finding herself’ at university. A year on and at a recent family meal, an uncle tells me how I used to be so shy and have really come into my own since starting university. I still think I have a long while to go, but I believe my time so far has provided a great head start. It can be hard being shy and introverted especially at university, especially in an environment which encourages openness and loud personalities. These are just a few things that helped me develop. And if the biggest sceptic/pessimist can do it (that’s me if you didn’t guess), there’s no reason you can’t!

 

1. Make an effort with flatmates

This is probably most applicable to first years but still relevant; after all, you do live with these people! Try as much to secure strong friendships with these people as you’re going to be seeing a hell of a lot of them. I was worried that I was too quiet (and quite frankly a little too weird) for my group of friends until we all became close enough to really be ourselves. You might think you’re an exception to the rule but give it time, trust me. 

2. Join societies

With regular meet-ups and induction events for newcomers, societies are the perfect way to meet new people and develop your social skills. If you’re like me and Ladies Hockey slightly intimidates you, join something more on your wavelength. I do believe the Cheese and Chocolate society is looking for a new president and has your name written all over it! If you’re worried about braving it alone like I was (and probably still am) then there’s no reason not to get your friends involved to help you gain confidence in large groups.

3. Make friends on the course

When you don’t think there can be anything better than the friendships you’ve made in your halls, your course mates can surprise you. I honestly feel I’ve made some of my closest friends on my course and it was with the people I’d least expect to get on with. It’s even easier to strike up a conversation because you can moan about how much you hate/dread your lecturer or how you haven’t done the seminar work. (Student life am I right?)

4. Engage in intellectual debate

If you aren’t the most outspoken person like myself, little victories such as participating in a mini debate between your peers or your friends can make you feel on top of the world. Voicing your opinions even if it’s not as much as others in your group doesn’t matter because it still counts as a personal milestone.

5. Life begins outside of your comfort zone

Lastly, whenever I feel nervous about doing something new I just think about how university is about trying new experiences. These three years of discovery won’t come around again and you’ll be filled with regret if you don’t make the most of them. Of course it’s about studying but it’s also a time for personal development before you enter that big, scary thing they call ‘the real world’. Why not make the most of it?

Original post found here: https://medium.com/@EdAid/university-helped-me-out-of-my-shell-3659677ae370#.zaz70scnj

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Boozy Britain: Are We Encouraging Alcoholism in Our Youth?

 Imagens Evangélicas / Flickr

Now I enjoy several drinks as much as the next student, but how much is too much? With many uni events solely based on alcohol, I find myself sympathising with those who don’t drink – there is very little left in uni culture if you don’t ‘down it, fresher’! I personally know people who just don’t like drinking or simply can’t for their own health, and I can’t help but wonder if we should do more to combat our overly boozy culture.

In a 2010 study, 83% of students in the UK classified themselves as drinkers, which means only a mere 17% chose the sober way of life. So why do we students drink our own body weight in liquor, I hear you eagerly ask?

I believe it boils down to a simple fear of missing out (or FOMO); when almost all social activities are based on drinking games and not being able to remember the night before, it’s no wonder we are a generation of binge-drinkers and budding alcoholics. What’s more striking is the way uni culture promotes this behavior, as if harbouring a hangover on a Sunday morning is almost expected of you. You’re labelled as ‘boring’, ‘no fun’ and a ‘killjoy’ if you don’t participate in Ring of Fire as opposed to your peers who can’t go one day without drinking.

 In the real world, this would be a form of acute alcoholism, yet in university culture, it’s acceptable. If you find yourself in the minority that doesn’t drink, I would suggest immersing yourself in similar company; heck, there are even some societies that dedicate themselves to not drinking, you shouldn’t be made to feel alien for not completely destroying your poor liver.

I’m not saying you should abstain completely, but maybe the Italians are on the right lines with their culture of drinking with food rather than shotting with Sarah (or any friend of your choice). By all means get to the merry stage, but is it really fun when Sarah is holding your hair up while you’re being sick in the grimiest club at three in the morning? Of course it is completely understandable when you’re bogged down with hundreds of assignments while juggling a social life to have a drink (or seven), but before you know it you’re being carried home on a stretcher (because every decent club has a spare stretcher going) and I don’t know about you, but for me, that’s not the way to end a night.

There is no shame in curling up with your favourite stuffed monkey (shout-out to Albi) while watching a bit of Benedict Cumberbatch in the evening. I don’t know about you, but to me, that sounds like heaven on Earth. Even the hardest party animals need a break and unwind with a four hour Come Dine With Me marathon especially when you’re watching sore losers. Even trips such as going to the theatre, or watching a movie makes a pleasant change and don’t come with the added plus of a hangover the next morning.

Maybe it’s different in other universities, but I feel like more of an effort should be made for sober socials. Don’t get me wrong, I acknowledge the effort that is currently being made to combat this, such as the £90,000 spent on tackling initiation drinking, but I feel like this is an issue that should be more at the forefront for societies in general – especially those with a notorious reputation.

Enjoyment is fine in moderation, as is not wanting to drink at all. However maybe Universities should do more to combat student alcoholism, or at least supply more supervision to tackle dangerous coercive drinking. I’m not putting my Gin + Lemonade down just yet, but I’m thinking about it.

Original post can be found here: http://thebroaduk.com/2016/01/09/boozy-britain-are-we-encouraging-alcoholism-in-our-youth/ 

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