I’ve been back at University for a week and, final year is hard. Yes, in Madrid I worked long hours Monday-Thursday. But, I could switch off in the evenings, prepare my lessons in advance and spend the weekend as I pleased. Now, every minute counts: I’m reading two books a week, trudging through secondary texts, refreshing my memory on Spanish grammar (what is a verb?), and my dissertation is looming over me like a scary, cursor-blinking bailiff.
It took one, yes one, night out in Freshers week before I was certifiably exhausted and resigned myself to the sofa, watching Gogglebox and Drag Race re-runs and tucking into my discounted chocolate orange, concluding that I was too old and weary for Uni life.
I sound miserable, but it’s not all doom and gloom. I’m minutes from my one true love, LS6, the most delicious brunch café serving up everything from ice cream & banana pancakes to vegan breakfast burritos; I’m loving my modules so far and have slotted back into “learning” much quicker than I expected to; I purchased a gym membership and I’m finally back into a regular workout routine, and I also have two concerts to look forward to in the new year.
Reading, Watching and Listening to lately:
Amid the back-to-university mania, I haven’t read or watched as much as I did over my rather idle summer, but here are a few highlights:
- RuPaul and Michelle Visage’s ‘What’s the Tee?’ podcast, chatting about life lessons, friendship and everything in between. I don’t know why it’s taken me until now to listen to this but they’re the most hilarious duo. Their deep insights and unabashed shade are keeping me sane as the semester kicks off.
- Drag Race UK may just be the funniest bit of reality TV I’ve seen all year.
- Sam Fender’s debut album ‘Hypersonic Missiles’: excitement levels are high to see him perform live in April — call it my way of de-stressing 3 weeks before my dissertation deadline.
- ‘The Politician’ on Netflix: a comedy-drama comprising melodramatic plot twists, Benn Platt singing right off the bat and Jessica Lange playing a slightly unhinged control-freak of a grandmother.
- That book-buying ban I imposed upon myself? I may have slipped and fell into the eBay hole and purchased 19 Stephen King books. But hear me out: they came in a bundle which cost a mere £40. How could I resist?
I’ve been back at university for two weeks and I already feel like I’ve been here for months. That be said, there is no doubt this final year will pass in a flash like the other three have. Just don’t mention the words “grad job” and all will be okay.
What have you been reading, watching and listening to lately? Let me know in the comments!
Evie
♥
Also read: September Reading Wrap-Up
Sounds like you have so much going on, but I’m also glad that you’re finding ways to enjoy yourself! // 19 Stephen King books omg. Have you read any Stephen King before? 😀 (I haven’t!) // Today I binge watched all four episodes of Rhythm & Flow, which just came out today haha. I can’t wait for the next three episodes to come out next week!! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Such a good bargain right?! I’ve only read 2 of his books so far but I’m thinking of maybe reading ‘It’ first, then watch the films haha. Oh I noticed that when scrolling through Netflix the other day! Love a bit of reality TV so might give it a go! x
That wrap looks to die for! The filling sounds amazing too. I also really love how you’ve put your Stephen king books too, I’m dying to read more of them myself x
It was so delicious! Thank you x
OMG that Stephen King bundle is amazing! I’m literally going to go on Ebay and see if there are any good deals – I’m such a huge fan of his work. I’m glad to hear that you’re settling back into Uni life, third year is definitely very intense but I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly, we all need a night in with a nice discounted chocolate orange now and again! It made me laugh because I’ve had a couple recently because of the discount haha. Wishing you all the best in your third year + thanks for sharing a little life update with us all xx
Right?! I’ve went from never shopping on eBay to now having to restrict myself from splurging all of my money on there! Hahaha chocolate orange for 75p is too good of a deal for anyone to resist. Thank you so much! xx
I’ve just graduated from university so the struggles of final year are still fresh in my head! It goes so quickly though so make sure to enjoy it (even if the workload does seem a lot!). Also, somehow I didnt know there was a RuPaul and Michelle Visage podcast, so I am getting on that ASAP! X
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
Thank you so much! Yess I keep reminding myself that I don’t have long left so I need to make the most of it! Oh it is hilarious, you’ll love it! X
That Stephen King collection is dreamy! £40 is amazing for all of those books. Also that wrap looks absolutely fabulous. Sounds like you’re super busy at the moment but glad you’re enjoying your studies! x
Right?! I couldn’t resist, so excited to get reading. Thank you Jenny! x
Uni can be so stressful but I’m sure you’ll do great! That brunch place sounds amazing and I need to have that breakfast burrito. The books was an amazing purchase for a great price! X
The key for me when I get back to uni is just ROUTINE, ROUTINE, ROUTINE!!! Once I sort that out, it (sorta) goes smoothly. The only thing is that falling out of that routine for one day (or one hour) can just ruin everything, can’t it?! :’) What a DEAL!!! 19 books for 40?!! Hey, no book ban is worth missing out on that kind of opportunity hehe. I finally read Six of Crows this past week, and I am in love with Bardugo, where has she been my whole life?!!? Too excited to read the sequel as well as the Grisha trilogy. Good luck with everything!! Keep your chin up & keep plugging steadily away, you’ve got this xxx
Yess routine is key atm! It’s just so hard when I receive emails with extra work/extra readings and the whole routine thing fails. Right?! I’m so excited to finally read more by him. I honestly didn’t love the Grisha trilogy, but the Six of Crows duology is on a whole new level, hope you love it! I can’t wait to read Ninth House by Bardugo either! Thank you so much Macey xxx
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