Steff.me

Overly the last few months I’ve consistently been feeling, “I can’t wait until next week, where I’ll have some free time to relax”. That “free time” never came… until now. I’ve finally finished University and, to be fair, it’s come just in time. No more will I have to do pointless exercises that everyone else is doing, just to get a pointless grade from someone who really doesn’t care whether I pass or fail.

Uni, while enjoyable at times, has proved to be completely unfruitful, except for the fact it’s made me realise that any employer that thinks a degree on a CV matters is a complete idiot. All it proves is that you were able to tolerate annoyance, followed by demeaning tasks that don’t matter.

To the point — I’ve finally finished and I’m glad I can get on with more important things in life. For those who aren’t sure, that would be: happiness, family, friends and love. Unfortunately, happiness comes with a slight caveat of “money”, so I’m going to have to throw in “a job” as part of one of the important things. Other than that; I’m looking forward to spending some time with my family, something that has been neglected while I’ve been turning into the person I am today. I’m also looking forward to spending time with my friends, who have been with me through thick and thin since before University and thus, I’m sure, will be there for a good while yet.

Finally (as we’ll ignore the “money” and “job” aspects), love. This September will be the fifth year I’ll have been with the same girl. I, like many others, am completely shocked that I have been with this person for so long, as I even tend to be the type of person that gets bored of a conversation two minutes in even though I brought up the subject. We started “going out” when we were sixteen, and every day I love her more and more. I’m not going to turn this into a horrible, soppy topic as that’s not who I am, but I do feel that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without this incredible girl behind me. So, with that said, thank you Rebecca.

If I can hope for anything within the next few months, it’s that I will be happy and be spending more time with all of these people; the people who actually make life worth living. In the end, they are the people that matter and life is too short to be wishing time away; something that I hope I won’t be doing ever again.

To anyone starting University soon, or hoping to in the future, let me offer you some advice. The work for the University is not important. It is secondary — or even lower — to the entire experience.

1. Find some good people that you share an interest with. 
2. Do not be afraid to try things — I was, and I regret it. 
3. Meet new people and don’t be afraid to speak to anyone. 
4. Always be true to yourself; never change who you are, just to fit in.
5. Your work at University is secondary to any interest or skill that you learn in your own time. University just offers you the ability to be an independent learner and thinker, if you can do that then go for it.
6. Friends you made before University should remain your friends during. These are important people and just because you’ve moved to a new place does not mean that you should ever take them for granted. Treat them with respect and care; they will be there for you.
7. Don’t expect too much from it. I was always told “University will be the best time of your life”. How wrong these people were. The best points in your life will never seem like it at the time, but will be painfully obvious when you look back at them.
8. Never wish time away. “Just one more week and I’ll have no more work!”, doesn’t happen at University. Make time for people. Manage your time better. Go out, have fun.

I’m sure there are plenty of things that I could say, however these are the most poignant for me and so I will offer them in the hope that my mistakes won’t be repeated by others.

To conclude: have fun, take care and don’t take any loved ones for granted. Words of advice from a slightly drunk twenty-one year old that’s just finished a Computer Science degree…