Honestly? I didn’t expect to love campus life as much as I do.
Uni Life: Not What I Expected
First-year me thought it would just be lectures, sleeping, and panicking about assignments… and maybe crying quietly into my pillow. It’s been way more than that and definitely not as scary as I thought it’d be. There’s something comforting about having everything you need so close: lectures, the library, the gym, and emergency snack runs to Co-op.
The Little Routines That Make Campus Feel Like a Community
The routines you get into at uni are unexpectedly fun. You get to enjoy the small, everyday moments: making a late-night cup of tea, running into someone you barely know and talking for ages, raiding vending machines or finding the quietest corner in the library that becomes your personal spot. It’s the tiny things that make campus feel like a community rather than a collection of buildings. You bump into the same people often enough that even strangers start feeling familiar.
Becoming Independent (One Small Victory at a Time)
Living on campus has also made me way more independent. Suddenly, I’m juggling my own schedule and meal prepping some Gordon Ramsay-level meals. Even small victories like finding a free laundry machine or making it to a 9am lecture ON TIME feel oddly satisfying. And the best part? You have your own space to retreat to when it all gets a bit too much.
A Social Life That Happens Naturally
Social life on campus is a bonus. You can join someone for lunch on a whim, meet random flatmates, or attend a society event last minute. It’s lively enough to keep things interesting but quiet enough that you can actually get work done. I didn’t expect the environment itself to shape my mood so much. You see other students in the same situation as you, and it makes uni feel that little bit less isolating.
Would I Choose Campus Life Again? Absolutely.
Although some corridors are noisy, kitchens aren’t exactly Pinterest-worthy, and occasionally someone steals your milk. But the convenience, the little interactions, and the sense of routine make it worth it.
Living on campus has made uni feel more like home, and that’s the part I love the most.