Finally arrived home and just as I have finished my final assessment and no longer have to write any more, I opt to write an optional essay. Three years have passed and I have finally completed my Exercise and Sport Science degree. Looking back at what I have learned over these last few years, I could probably recall very little of what I have actually learned academically. However it goes without saying that there are so many more significant aspects that I have learned. Through the times where I have felt so down that I have wanted to give in, right up to the other end of the spectrum of some of the incredible moments that I have spent with some amazing people. I believe that I have developed a better perception of life and that the most important aspect is the search for happiness within yourself. I’ve learned that life can be difficult sometimes and it isn’t all smiles, but then there are the wonderful moments in your life that completely overwhelm anything you have ever felt before, to more than make up for them down moments. I’ve learned that sometimes you will have to make choices in your life that seem to be the most difficult ones, but they are often the right ones. I always knew this before I left for university, but I realised how much I really miss my home, and the love I have for my family and friends. I have learned that meeting people can be amazing, but also difficult at the same time. It takes time to get to know people. Looking back some of the people I thought I really clicked with straight away seemed to be people who drifted away, whereas the people I really got to know thoroughly beyond face value, I have made solid friendships with, regardless of first impressions. People aren’t always who they seem to be and although the common thought is that first impressions count, if you chose to live by that then you are a fool. Baring this in mind it, it is important to understand that friends come and go, but for a precious few that should hold on. I learned that you will find that regardless of quantity or subject areas that you choose to revise for, for an exam, whatever you chose to look at in depth will more than likely not appear on the test paper, which will focus specifically on areas you didn’t cover so well. I noticed that throughout university there are a number of unnecessary and heavily weighted tasks and assessments to complete, such as group debates which have no real purpose other than to prepare you for the unlikely event of happening to make an appearance on Loose Women sometime in the future. But we just have to get our heads down, and do the best we can. Leading on from my previous point I’ve also developed a belief that we should not be judged on exams and assignments throughout life. Life and how successful you are is very subjective to the people and the environment that you are in at that present moment in time. One person may not think you are suitable, where the next may be absolutely overwhelmed by you, your personality and your efforts for the same role. Just because I may have a lesser degree classification than someone else does not mean that I am not any less suitable or qualified for an opportunity than they are. Hard work and persistence will get you where you need to be. I have also learned that I am still only young and I have my whole life ahead of me and I have made mistakes, but haven’t we all. At first I saw coming to university as a mistake, but now that I have made it to the end, I guess I am glad that I came. It is more about the life experience and the opportunities that come along with it. Thinking now, even the simple things like making lifelong friendships, being able to travel and work at Disney World and even something as simple as reviving my love for football, have all been presented to me as opportunities due to my willingness to come to university to start with and my persistence to stay right through until the end. Things don’t always go to plan, and there are things that I would go back and perhaps do slightly differently if I had the chance, of course. But at the end of the day, if something is real and you appreciate the opportunities that are presented and your family, home and friends, then you are always going to be successful. After all, success isn’t about how much money you make, how many cars you own or how many holidays each year you are able to go on, it’s more about in 60 or 70 years’ time when you look back at your life and ask yourself one simple question. If the answer to that question is yes, I was happy throughout my life, then that is true success. I learned that there will be down days, and on these days that you are struggling, banter and laughter is essential for getting you through. You can never laugh too much, and sometimes that can be caused by the simplest things, such as a game of ‘he said, she said’ or ‘heads and bodies’. I found out first hand that during university it is very easy to gain weight, so applying some sort of moderate diet or exercise plan is probably important for my near future, as my metabolism is only going to do in one direction and that is not up. I also learned that there is no shame in shopping at low-cost supermarkets because in reality most of their products are just as good, if not better than the actual branded products that we get extorted for. And I don’t even want to get started on my sleeping pattern, but I am sure when I arrive back in the real world, I will get it back. More importantly I have learned a lot about myself. I have become more appreciative about the finer things in life and have had some amazing opportunities which some incredible people. I’ve also learned that life is a learning curve and a search for true happiness, whether that be travelling the world or working as a checkout operator, if that is what you really want to do, then do it. There is only yourself stopping yourself from being who you want to be. So just because I can’t recall the Fick Equation or the Laws of Motion doesn’t really bother me that much. I have learned some much more important things about myself and developed life skills that will equip me more for the future than the psychology that is involved with ten pin bowling. It only took me until a few days ago to realise all of this, so I guess when people say you don’t realise what you have until it’s gone, then I guess that statement pretty true. Although I have severely thought differently over the last three years, I will miss university, I am sure of it. And although it doesn’t feel like I know much academically from the previous three years at university, when I look back and I get asked what I learned during my degree? Quite a lot, which I would call that a success in itself, regardless of the degree classification I receive at the end of it.
Posted on: Thu, 22 May 2014 14:08:26 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015