Hi all

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!

Although I have never had the experience of uni (i buggered up my life so far lol) I can understand how uit feels to be away from what you know in a strange place without family and to be self sufficient.

I can imagine a lot of people feel the same but hide it behind a facade.

I am really glad to hear things coming together, I am sure you will start to have loads of fun in the courses and the uni life as a whole.

Rememer if you ever fwling under the weather and no-one to talk to I am sure many of us here will be here if a chat is needed, if you fancy a chat over MSN/AIM/Yahoo, also the chat rooms i done are open 24/7 too ( http://www.ejnmedia.co.uk/ltschat/ )and always feel free to muck about on the OC server, even if no-one else is on, just to doodle or just play about really, its open to all (jut ask for server details if not already got them.

Bumpage but for a good reason...
Firstly, I'm sorry for my immature behavior recently...I know it's unlike me to act out and post without thinking but sometimes rage does that...
Infact, I'm still angry, but about something else that I MUST get off my chest..
I could post this in the rant thread but this relates heavily to how uni is going for me.

I'm supposed to be up for at 9:00 tomorrow...
It's nearly 1am...
I need at least 8 hours sleep and I'm certainly not gonna get it now.
I posted a rant on my DA but will copy and paste it here though the language is rather bad so, will cut some out...

Huh, sounds like alot of mixed emotions!

Interesting tale of settling. xP I think it's as much a thrill as it is scary being lost in the dark. Makes you really uneasy, but somehow the struggle to get back in control gives great purpose, and once everything is back to normal it's so relieving. Good times! ;D

Glad to hear you made it to uni though, and very sorry to hear you have to deal with all those jerks. :/ I'd give advice, but frankly I'm handling all that stuff much worse than you do. I basically just go quiet on the world. Which is a good thing sometimes,like Casper said:

I think the whole "best few years of your life" thing is true, but often for the wrong reasons. Those people who are out clubbing all the time are probably having a blast. They don't consider a thing, they're always close to friends and god knows all the things they do on and off campus. They're having the time of their life, the studies aren't everything.
Likewise, you can have a great time developing yourself and just stretch your mind way out on campus, it may just be tougher to fall in with the right crowd if you're picky. It gets really shallow and just not worthwhile at all when you're alone, having to put up with menacing party-mongerers. I'm not really going anywhere with this, most people are inconsiderate (even the ones who seem decent), and it all sucks. Best you can do is fight it as good as you can (Casper's advice sounds healthy) and hope for something better tomorrow. ;| And it still sucks.

Sorry for the pessimism and just stating the obvious, just my way of agreeing with you or something. o_O I DO hope everything works out for you in the end, 'cos as far as I know (little though it may be) you thoroughly deserve it!

All I can say right now is thanks guys *hugs*
I have phoned Nichole now but her phone was on answer machine so I left a message...
Last night was a bit better I must admit.
I was up around 1:30 anyway but when they all came in, drunk and rowdy, I was shocked to hear Alex, (the guy in the room next to me), have a huge go at them O_o...it worked....
However I am still rather annoyed as I've just discovered some ass has USED my saucepan lid without asking, but not only that..has broken it -_- so I bet whoever did it ISN'T gonna own up..
It's annoying since it was a nice set my parents bought specially for me...was one I could use as a drainer as well as a lid so it was handy...

I think the important lesson I've learnt from living in halls is people can be right inconsiderate jerks when it comes down to it...they're selfish and ignorant...and you can't trust people....even when you label things!

Oh and I'm starting to get VERY sick of that stupid song by that Dizzy Rascal guy about dancing...they won't quit playing it!
*puts slipknot on* 

Anyway sorry for being rather grouchy recently on LTS,...it's not been too good here recently
Least my dad's coming up tomorrow, I will show him what they've done and hope he can fix it...then I may as well keep all my kitchin stuff in here.

Thanks for the kind words GH
I should have replied back a while ago but today's been rather good so far...
Thought I'd add another update

Firstly though, turns out the saucepan lid was an accident, but cos I've been tired, can't blame myself for assuming someone was drunk and just mindlessly misused it...but still makes me a bit peeved that someone used without asking me anyway...Thankfully my dad has managed to fix it with glue though yesterday ^_^
Trust me though, I have definitely been grouchy, guess it's not too apparent on LTS...Been drawing a lot of "anger" recently though, some of which can be found on my deviant art page.
Also, GH, as for the school thing...if I were you I'd quit my job..I didn't have a job around my GCSE years for that reason, which I think is around the level you're at in school now...  I felt that a job would just distract me and put me behind my work, there was a lot...

Anyway todays been good 'cos Nichole got back to me and I got to talk to her one on one in the helpzone at lunch today and she was very understanding of the situation.  She said that she aims to try and get the message across with reminders,and will try her best to disable the door bell so people might eventually stop misusing them and once back on, would have forgotten about it.  However, she said if in a week things are still the same/or worse, I should contact her again.  Which, I definitely would do as she's reassured me so much today and said she wouldn't mention names...
Guess I feel very relieved right now. She also said she'd make sure to tell the security guards to keep an eye out on on my block, "Spencer".

Anyway,...now that's over with *hopes for the best*