I know it hasn't really been a month and that I've been posting here and there since I've been at uni, but I haven't had much time to go into great detail about a lot of things, or praise enough new artwork, welcome new members, or wish happy birthdays to birthday people...for all that I'm sorry
Though it's been a busy few weeks since I've arrived here in Gloucestershire.Again, for those who don't know, (or can't quite remember
), I'm doing a course here in Illustration Which so far, I've really enjoyed the work and have even made a 40 page book! 
As for uni itself,...well..the first few weeks were probably the biggest struggle I've ever been through in my whole life....I was really effected emotionally a lot more than I thought I would be. Though I should really start from the beginning....(To those who have helped me through this, and have actually read all this, many thanks
Much appreciated!)The whole summer I was anticipating uni and all along, I was told by many people I'd "be fine", and it "was gonna be the best few years of my life". I have always seen myself as a "capable" person, someone who could live independently as long as they had some company. I have also never really been one to be homesick. My family + Mat headed up with me to Pittville Campus on the 14th of September, more or less packed up with essentials, and ready to go! The journey was a 3 hour drive West from my little town to Cheltenham
. We got there a little late though as we had a late start that morning. Anyway, once at uni, I got given my room key and free chocolate. We packed as much stuff into my room as we could before Mat and I headed down to the welcome meeting. Once we headed back to my room, Mat's parents had also arrived to greet me and take Mat home.
I had a hard time trying to stop myself from crying when it was time for everyone to leave, and ended up waving everyone off in tears since it suddenly hit me, I was alone, and completely self reliant from now on...It was much scarier than I anticipated..
In all honesty though, I wasn't COMPLETELY alone here in Cheltenham. I did have 2 other girls I was friends with going to the same uni, but on a different campus/different halls than me. One being one of my best friends, Emily. Soon as my parents and Mat's family had left me, my phone rang. It was Emily calling to see if I wanted to meet up. We had a cup of tea in my room and discussed how our days had been, then tried to head down to the free BBQ at the Union bar. However it was incredibly busy and we couldn't get past anyone, so we eventually gave up and went back to her halls which was down the road from me. We then cooked dinner at hers and went out with the rest of her halls to a really nice pub/restaurant place. It wasn't too loud, or busy, but just right, however, we were both desperate for an early night and so we both left the big group at 9:30.
That night, I didn't get back till 11:30 as we both took one wrong turning and got completely lost in the dark around this big strange town...Guess I can look back on it now and laugh but at the time, it was very scary, and we were both really upset. Whilst everyone else spent their first night at uni partying, we spent it upset and worried for our lives...x_X I eventualy got back with help from the Student Adviser women who got me a taxi back...
Soo, that was my cruddy first day...the other days weren't too great either, found it hard to fit in with everyone else on my flat, (and still somewhat do). Although they're all nice and easy to talk to individually, when they're in a group,...it's harder. Although I enjoy a drink, I'm not really a "party animal", and they all are...I don't think they mean to, but I somehow always get a bit left out and I'm sure some of it is down to myself being socially awkared without meaning to be...I went out twice with them so far in total, and only the first time I went out I really enjoyed...
It wasn't till two weeks own the line of being here in uni did I really start to relax a bit more. On the Saturday my family came down with a bunch of stuff I forgot and lots of food, and I was spoilt to a very nice meal out. This helped me feel a bit more at home having more things in my room such as a new printer/scanner/ photocopier, and a Doctor Who poster ^_^; Then unexpectedly, I had Mat and his parents visit me the day after which was really nice
They got me a fan for my room too (Thank your parents again for me please!! 
) So...after that weekend, I have felt a lot better here.As for my course itself, it's getting easier to talk to the people in my group, and we've been set various projects/assigments. Although it's a lot of work, our deadline is just the end of term pretty much, and we get a lot of help, guidence, and most of all, enjoyment out of our work
So overall,...I would like to thank you guys on LTS for being here for me, wishing me luck, and supporting my move out. Although it was a struggle to fit in and get settled, I'm starting to feel a lot better now ^_^
Thanks for reading!
