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Taking the pressure off…

Hey everyone, I hope you’re all getting excited about starting your course at Edge Hill University! Be sure to check out the social media sites so you can keep up to date on Q&A conversations, campus activities and fresher updates.

Take this blog as a piece of advice from a now second year university student where I talk about why it is important not to let your course dominate your whole university experience and why you should keep up with your hobbies and not abandon them to focus solely on your course.

When I first started university, I was so ready to dive straight in to work and be on top of my assignments, homework and reading. While I did do this through-out my first year, I now realised how much of the experience of university I missed out on. For example, having last minute, middle of the day movies with my flat, going shopping with my flat-mates, having dinner and lunch together and just missing out on moments because I was always in the library trying to be on top of everything.

Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bad thing because you do end up being way ahead of everyone in terms of work and you should still try to do this but just remember that this can be done in a way that doesn’t mean you will miss out on a bunch of memories like I did. This is a classic case of do as I say and not as I do…

Image result for studying

My Advice for not letting your course consume you!

I don’t mean that you should completely abandon your lectures and never do your assignments just in case you thought that was what I was saying. If I were to give my first year self some advice I would tell her to go to lectures and do your assignments in a nice relaxed pace and don’t try and get things done and dusted as quickly as possible!

I would tell myself to hang out with my flat more rather than go to library for most of the day because you’re going to miss out on some really good times.

I would tell myself to put time and effort into my course and make sure that I am performing and achieving to the best of my ability but don’t let it take away from your overall experience.

I would finally tell myself to keep up with my hobbies! Luckily I still went to the gym and went for walks which was something I really loved but I also wished I kept doing photography and used my free time to play around with this hobby. This was the most important advice I could have given myself because I got a sense of freedom when I did take a break from my course and focused on my hobby.

My hobby, Photography!

I hope this helps someone who like me, likes to stay on top of work and feels the need to constantly work! Trust me, this quality is a great thing to have when work needs to be done but, when it doesn’t need to be done right away, live your university experience.

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt-
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Surviving Cold and Flu Season at Uni – Part 2

Now, despite following all the advice from my previous post about how to best avoid getting ill throughout flu season, somehow it still managed to get through- I blame that one guy in the lecture who didn’t stop coughing the whole time.

Here’s a few tips to make being ill and away from home comforts that little bit easier.

1- Stock up on Pain Killers.

Trust me on this one- there is nothing worse than being ill and having to get out of bed to go and buy painkillers and other supplements because you don’t have any in your room. It’s a good idea to keep a ready supply of both paracetamol and ibuprofen stocked up in case of any kind of illness or injury, but remember, most shops will only let you buy either two or three packs at a time, so don’t try to bulk buy all at once. There’s also no need to spend loads of money of them- I find that although the named brands may look prettier- they are not worth the £3-£5 you can spend on about 8 tablets. I prefer the non-branded store own pills that are so much cheaper and do exactly the same job, but also leave money left over for some other treats!

Lastly on pain killers, make sure you don’t just buy the variety that contain caffeine. There is nothing worse than not being able to sleep when you’re ill because your pain killers also contain caffeine.

2- Know your Dosages.

Always read the instructions on the back of any medicine containing supplement, including lozenges and drinks, as the last thing you want to do is to take too much or too little. But as a general rule- yes, you should be able to take paracetamol and ibuprofen together, and this will help fight off any illness quicker- but always check the packaging first

3- Drink Plenty

… of water and other healthy fluids to help flush the illness out of your system- effervescent vitamins are great in this situation. Warm drinks (such as honey and lemon or hot squash) will also help to unblock sinuses and soothe sore throats.

4- Fresh Air

Although leaving the confines of you cozy bed might be the last thing you want to do, getting out in the fresh air will help you to feel better sooner, and it gives you the opportunity to stock up on any essentials you might have run out of, such as ice cream. Make sure you wrap up warm!

That’s all for now, I hope if you’re I’ll you feel better soon, and if you’re not, then lucky you! Disclaimer- I am not a doctor! If you feel really unwell or have any questions regarding health, speak to a professional.