International Student Ambassador Lucille is coming back to University after her placement year. She shares her experience settling back into her life in Portsmouth.
It has now been a month since I returned to Portsmouth for my final year of study. I have learnt so much from my placement, which I shared in my Placement Diaries series. The next step in my journey is to settle back into university life and make the most of this year.
Sports and Orientation
There were a lot of things about Portsmouth that I missed during my placement year, such as living by the beach. But it was also the freedom that the University gives me to invest time into extracurricular activities and develop myself as a person – something that can require more energy with a 9-5 job.
I have therefore been diving headfirst into activities these past few weeks, to start off strong into this last year. For example, I am back as a committee member for a Sports Club, in which I will be competing again as well.
My first weeks have also been packed with course preparation and, recently, welcoming new students. Returning to my part time jobs has been a joy and something I felt able to put a lot more time and energy into now that I no longer have a 9-5 placement.
New accommodation
Outside of work and sport, I have also had fun decorating the room I am living in this year and getting to know my flatmates. Moving house is never easy, but returning to a city I love has made it that much easier. I have been getting to know the area around my new place better and figured out all the routes I will be taking to the University.
I have also established routines to match university life again, incorporating things I have learned from my placement (such as a more efficient calendar/time-management system) while relaxing back into familiar schedules.
Preparing for studies
I have been investing some time into getting to know my course again – familiarising myself with the course structures, the teaching staff and the syllabus for this year. With final year also comes a dissertation, something that I have been proactive about to get myself motivated and engaged with my course right away.
My placement has given me many skills that make me feel confident in taking on this final year academically.
However, when there have been moments of doubt, I have reached out to tutors or lecturers from previous years to make myself feel at home within my course again.
Going into Final Year/ Overcoming my concerns
One of the biggest fears I have seen hold people back from considering a placement is returning to final year without the same classmates they started with. Not wanting to spend final year without the friends you have made in the first 2 years is completely valid. But I want to shine a light on how coming back from a placement can be a wonderful experience, and how many more familiar faces will still be here when you come back than you think.
Teaching staff is just one example. Sports clubs and societies for example can include members from all years and courses, and the likelihood of returning to people that you have met during your first or second year is high. If you have engaged with the University further, either with part time work, volunteering or in sport, you will see familiar faces all over campus.
And even when you do not, remind yourself of starting university and the feeling that anything is possible. Treat yourself like a fresher and take in all the University has to offer as if it was your first day.
Meet new people, form new friendships and try out a new (or return to an old) hobby or sport. You will quickly find your place and your people again as though you never left.
Thank you for joining my placement journey through these blogs. I can’t wait to share more with you over the coming year.