Written by Tabitha and reviewed by our team. Tabitha was a student ambassador for Kortext in the last academic year.  

 

Before starting uni, I had a highlight reel in my head.  

You know the one: walking across a scenic campus with a coffee in hand, laughing with a group of best friends I’d meet on day one, getting my life together in the form of colour-coded notes and homemade oat milk lattes.  

I was ready for a new chapter, and I thought I knew exactly how it would go.

Spoiler alert: it didn’t exactly go like that. In fact, uni turned out to be a mix of unexpected lessons, chaotic brilliance, and real growth. Here’s how my expectations stacked up against reality. 

 

Expectation: I’ll instantly click with everyone 

I genuinely thought I’d be surrounded by ‘my people’ immediately. Like, I’d sit next to someone in my first lecture and we’d instantly become inseparable.

Reality: uni can be a bit lonely at first. People are friendly, but everyone’s figuring things out. It took time (and some random societies and group projects) to find the people I clicked with. But once I did? Totally worth the wait. 

 

Expectation: I’ll have so much free time 

I looked at my timetable and thought, ‘Only eight hours of lectures a week? I’m gonna be SO productive!’

Reality: somehow, I was still always busy. Between readings, cooking, washing, mental breakdowns, and binge-watching random shows instead of doing my work, time just vanished. Lesson learned: free time ≠ actually being free. 

 

Expectation: I’ll become super healthy and organised 

I bought a planner. I thought I’d start journaling daily and go for morning runs like some sort of Pinterest board brought to life.

Reality: I lived off cereal and toast for the first term. My planner became a coaster. And I did go for runs… in my dreams. Uni life is unpredictable, and honestly? That’s okay. You don’t need to be perfect. 

 

Expectation: I’ll be wildly inspired by every lecture 

I thought uni lectures would be like TED Talks, where I’d leave every session with a life-changing epiphany.

Reality: some lectures were amazing. Sometimes I was inspired, sometimes I was overwhelmed, and sometimes I was just confused. The key is learning to engage even when it’s not thrilling, and asking for help when you need it. 

 

Expectation: Freshers’ week will be the time of my life 

Films and TikTok made me think Freshers’ was going to be non-stop parties, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable memories.

Reality: it was intense. Some nights were fun, others were overwhelming. I got sick, I got lost, I cried in a toilet once. But the best uni memories? They came later. During chill nights, spontaneous flat dinners, and deep chats at 2am. 

 

Summing it all up 

University isn’t what I expected and honestly, that’s the best part.  

It challenged me, humbled me, and taught me way more than what was on the syllabus. Sure, the reality didn’t always match the fantasy. But the messy, unfiltered version? That’s where the real growth happened.

So if you’re starting uni and it’s not all sunshine and studying montages, breathe. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just doing it for real. 

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