Navigating growth: this is where I belong
- By:
- Oshan
- Published
University is a big step in your life and opens the path to change. Oshan talks us through how she's changed since her first day at the University of Bradford.
Hi, I'm Oshan. I'm an international student pursuing a degree in BSc (Hons) Computer Science at the University of Bradford. University can really change you as a person and alter your outlook on life - I'd like to share my experience, and some tips to help you become the best version of yourself:
New beginnings
Dreaming is easy. However, pursuing that dream is what makes it an exhilarating experience. Studying abroad, miles away from your home is equivalent to starting a new life. You don't realise how much you've changed and grown at first. But when you look back and reflect on it, you feel proud of all the growth you've achieved from chasing your dreams.
Mixed emotions
To this day, I vividly remember my first day at university. I felt a mix of uncertainty, nervousness, and excitement. However, there was one thing I knew: I was looking forward to it. The first day mostly revolved around enrolment, campus tours, and orientation programs. In the following days, I met people from across the globe, each with diverse cultures, backgrounds, nationalities, and accents.
I went on university trips to Manchester, York, and Liverpool. I also participated in Freshers Fayres, society events organised by the University of Bradford Students Union (UBU), and various webinars from university services to understand everything around me.
While settling in, the emotions and homesickness hit me hard. During these moments, the University made me realise that this is where I belong, as I sought guidance from Bradford's Counselling and Mental Health services.
Embracing growth
I'm currently halfway through completing my degree. In my honest opinion, I'm proud of how far I've come compared to my first day. I can feel my confidence, resilience, and personal growth increasing every single day. Living here for over a year has made me realise my strengths and weaknesses, helped me become more organised, and taught me how to face challenges and failures with different perspectives. Through numerous conversations with friends, professors, seniors, and new people, I've realised that there is still a long way to learn and grow.
Tips for newcomers
Here are few of the lessons that I have learned over the my time here:
- Get involved in various activities and conversations: There are numerous events and activities that allow you to make connections around campus. You can become a student representative, society executive, volunteer and so on.
- Do not forget to look after yourself: It's okay to feel a bunch of emotions and get overwhelmed with academics and social life. Take a break and allow yourself to recharge.
- Do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it: Everyone around here is always there to help you, be it professors, fellow students, or any staff member.
- Do not rush: Be patient with yourself, go at your own pace and do not compare your growth to anyone else.
- Stay organised: Proper planning will help you a lot in university life. You can use various planning tools like Notion to manage your schedules, deadlines, and plans.
If you take one thing from my blog, let it be this: take the chance, you've got this!