Amongst the stress of university deadlines and utility bills, so is the dreaded fear of ageing into your twenties. We are shown through film and TV that blowing out those birthday candles adds more pressure to our relationship status, career perspectives and friendship dynamics (in a Bridget Jones type of way). How about you meet your younger self for coffee today and take a piece of advice from her, him or they? Because I’m sure they’d want you to take your twenties by storm, the way they imagined adulthood.
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Be more naïve
Learning the ropes of your new life as a student can make you take life a little bit more serious. Have I budgeted enough for my weekly food shop? Am I spending enough time studying? Although it is essential to organise your university life, take time to enjoy the naivety and flexibility of your young adulthood, the way little you would’ve. As deadlines loom closer life may seem more serious, but please remember you are only young once and deserve to give yourself a break!
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Use less screentime
As Gen Z, we sometimes forget that there is a world outside of TikTok and Instagram reels. If you think back to your childhood, remember the number of books you would read, having to go to the cinema or Blockbusters to find the latest film, the simplicity of it all…
Why don’t you head down to Central library or Chapter One Books today to chat with a friend or purchase that book that’s on your Waterstones Wishlist? Not only would your younger self be extremely confused at today’s use of technology, but I’m positive they’d want you to embrace your student life more than the one in your phone.
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Get active
I think one core memory of everyone’s childhood is a dreaded midweek PE lesson. Although tedious and, may I say, awful, the importance of incorporating a short workout into your routine a few times a week can be beneficial to both your mental health and overall wellbeing. I know, on top of university assignments and part time jobs, we may not have the same amount of free time to balance an array of different workouts and hobbies. But how about join that sports society or local gym we both know you’ve been looking at? Investment into yourself and your health is never a waste!
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Enjoy the little moments
From girly trips to the cinema to making your dinner in your university kitchen, the little moments of your university can be ones to remember for a lifetime. Some of my favourite first year memories include the small, hilarious moments in my old flat’s corridor or kitchen.
When you wake up tomorrow morning, take a minute to reflect on life the way younger you would have. Take that extra 10 minutes to read your book, grab yourself a cup of tea, or go see that friend you haven’t reached out to since freshers week. Your university experience should include those worthwhile little moments… as well a cheeky Tuesday night trip to 256!
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Be more grateful
As students, our workload can be utterly consuming. Most days, when we wake up, the constant cog turn of uni stress never ends. Sometimes I find myself complaining about my studies and how I’m not living the ‘uni experience’ to the best of my ability. However, when I think back to that young version of myself who was so excited for her future career and to live in a big city, I can’t help but feel guilty.
Although education can be consuming and tiring, I think to how grateful younger me would be to learn and study a subject I am so passionate about. So, if you’re feeling stressed about that looming deadline, take a minute and reflect on a more positive outlook on your education.
So, whether you’re reading this at 11pm on a Monday evening or 7am on a Friday morning, put down that phone or laptop you’re on, take a second to sit, and reflect on how your younger self would take on the day.
