University - Discoveries of Kindness.

University - Discoveries of Kindness.

So university offered me, in contrast to my housemates, one very big change. A girls' school student for the whole of my later education I was suddenly thrown into a world, and a flat where 99% of the people I met had gone to mixed schools and were in a relationship or had been some point in the past. This was a shock. Back at school, three friends had been in relationships and that was in a group of sixteen. In no way was this something I had expected. Words were used constantly that I didn't understand and there was an openness on topics that had never been deemed appropriate before.

Emma, leaving notes on my door. 

This was a New World, I felt like Columbus, exploring somewhere unknown for the first time. There was such a difference in upbringing and attitudes of these people that I felt as if I had been thrown into the deep end. I'm a useless swimmer and I was afraid no one would throw me a life ring. As it turned out my life ring was kindness. Despite their obvious differences to myself the housemates never failed to offer me friendship as they attempted to introduce me to the things I had been 'missing out on'. They may not have eased me into it, but they certainly stopped me drowning.

Surprisingly, Ben and I shared a favourite film.

Soon I was returning from the library to find messages from Emma posted on my door, wondering where I was. We went to the pub for the first time and I ended up debating history with Jason, Ben was discussing the finer points of our much loved film,  Back To The Future. The other girls were making sure I felt confident on my first ever night out and before I knew it I was comfortable. I would be first up after a drunken night, where I had remained sober, and cooking the housemates bacon and eggs. We would play 'getting to know you' games come evening and we would toast to each other when pre-drinking. I was not as afraid as I had once been, the New World wasn't so scary after all and there were good and friendly people there.

So I suppose what I want to say is, never feel afraid until you experience something, because you can never know what is to come and until you know fearful speculation is pointless. It gets us nowhere, making us tense and stressed. Walk into situations with a positive outlook and your confidence will aid you in your journey. Amyx