It’s (not) a Student Life for me - 2014

I packed my suitcase with sweats, dresses, pretty tops, jumpers, pyjamas and all things weatherproof (it is Northern Ireland after all), whilst cramming as many pairs of shoes as I possibly could into a small plastic box. I stuffed my mum's car with bed sheets, toiletries, plates and picture frames and then that was it; half my life packed up in a car and off we went. The beginning of "Student Life".

 I was becoming an adult, flying the nest...growing up!

After our eventful, cow interjected journey along the country roads, we arrived at my "home" for the next three years. Unpacking didn't take too long before I had to face the awkward small talk with my new flat mates. We discussed our favourite drink, whether or not we were "going steady" and which cupboard belonged to who but, now, it was time to begin my independence.

The morning of my first day of induction, I woke up early (basically unheard of in my world), got my breakfast and waited. Waiting means thinking..."Is what I'm wearing ok?" , Should I bring paper?", "Who is on my course? Will they like me?" But, soon enough time was up! Off I went, 15 minutes down the road and I'm there. University. This is what I wanted, right?

Well, no. Apparently not!

After 5 weeks of unenthusiastic teaching, flaky classmates and being wakened up at 3am by loud, drunken flatmates, I was done. I couldn't handle not feeling comfortable in a place I was supposed to call "home" and I hated that something that I loved doing was being turned into a boring career.

Don't get me wrong, there are aspects of Uni that I enjoyed; meeting new people, building my confidence, gaining independence, parties and new societies.

But the pro's just couldn't eliminate the con's.

It wasn't a decision I made overnight but that was it, I just left. I had an exit meeting, packed all my stuff and handed my keys in. Well, it wasn't as simple as that but I'll spare you the awkward conversations and financial details.

Even though I was only there for a short period of time I felt like it was beneficial; I didn't waste all of my time, I did meet new people, some I loved and some I would rather not see again. I pushed myself, whether it was striking up a conversation with a complete stranger or buying toilet roll by myself. I grew in my faith; spending a lot of time not really doing much, drew me closer to God, time to read and study my bible and distracting myself from my over dramatic flatmates (now that is saying something because I am definitely a drama queen) by blasting Matt Redman and immersing myself in prayer.

 I don't feel like I took the easy way out, I don't regret the decisions and you never know I may be "Uni-ready" sometime in the future.

The thing is, God's is in control and I will never know what He has planned for everyday of my life or how long that life may be but I have learned that the difficulties I face in life aren't for me to become self-sufficient and find inner strength but to rely solely on God, use His strength and to lean on Him. He is all I need.

Psalm 61:4