*Post in collaboration with Teesside University*
It’s been three years since I graduated Teesside University. Gosh, that really has flew by.
Three years since I picked up my gown, shook hands with some people on stage and threw my grad cap in the air.
Three years since I spent hours in the library, dashing between lectures and spending time with some of the best people.
I guess you could say I kinda miss it. Hell, I miss Uni A LOT.
I stayed on home-ground when it came to University and although I don’t regret my choice of Uni, there are a few things looking back that I really wish I did.
So, let’s go through them, shall we?
Ya’ll know by now that I’m a bit of a fitness-obsessed gal. In my spare time, you’ll usually find my hands round a barbell or doing some unfathomable workout that makes me almost pass out.
& I would have probably been more inclined to start my journey earlier if I’d of used the University gym.
I was there 4 days a week and often had a few hour breaks in-between lectures and seminars, so goodness knows why I chose to spend my time in coffee shops as opposed to the gym.
Typical student.
The lovely guys at Teesside University gave me an access all areas pass so I could see exactly what I had missed out on whilst on campus.
Of course, I headed straight to the weights section, grabbed a barbell and showed the lads there that girls belong in that section too! The bottom half of the gym is full of squat racks, bumper plates and dumbbells.
The place that woulda stole my heart!
Upstairs is for those who are a sucker for a cardio or weight machine. We’re talking rowers, bikes (spinning classes available FYI) as well as your usual upper and lower body machines.
The perfect place to get a midday pump in-between lectures.
I really am kicking myself. I could have been so much further on in my little fitness journey if I’d of headed to the gym for an hour after class instead of running to catch that bus home.
Another aspect of the University which I totally didn’t embrace is the Clubs and Societies that they offer. I remember hearing bout them and just thinking ‘Yeah that sounds cool, might do that’.
& then just never actually get round to joining.
I remember seeing ‘Pole Fitness’ advertised and thinking ‘HOLY CRAP ID LOVE THAT’. I also remember seeing Cheerleading and wishing how I could make my ‘Bring It On’ dreams come to life.
Now looking back and actually getting to try it out, I’m kicking myself a million times over that I never took it up.
Guys, if you’re learning anything from this post, it’s to please, please embrace your time at University.
I think joining something like a club and/or society would have opened up the opportunity for many more friends too. As I wasn’t living in student accommodation (yep, coulda done that too Megs) I only mingled with my course mates.
Clubs & Societies could have gave me a whole other group of life-long friends.
*kicks self*
But again, Teesside University hooked me up by letting me join in on a pole fitness class.
First things first, IT HURT. I know I have strength because of my weightlifting, but woah, pole fitness is a whole different kinda strength.
I have a bruise on my foot the size of a fist, no joke!
But it was so much fun. & it already seemed like the group of girls had little friendship groups which was so lovely to see.
Damn, I coulda got myself more gal pals at pole class.
Now don’t get me wrong, I spent pleeeeeenty of hours in that library. Often having group sessions, eating copious amounts of sugar to gives us the rush to plow though our assignments.
But I was very much a day-time library go-er. I’d hit the library up early, between, or after classes but usually between the hours of 9 and 5.
Just kinda wanted to get home and crack on with this ol’ blog too.
But I remember my classmates having late-night library sessions and loving it, getting most of their productive work done in the evenings.
& again, forming those even tighter knit friendships.
I hadn’t been in the library since I printed off my last assignment and it’s changed so much. In the best way too.
With every floor being decorated as a different season, cosy seats and deck chairs everywhere it’s definitely a place I’d spend more time in if I was on campus a lot more.
As a little group, we used to huddle onto a table together so we could giggle as we work and they now have little hubs and seating areas where you can do just that.
It no longer feels like somewhere you just go to work, but somewhere you go to socialise too!
Going to my local University meant that I continued living with my parents whilst studying. & although that absolutely had it’s benefits, I kinda feel like I missed out on that real student life.
I feel like if I lived on or close by campus in student accommodation I woulda made more friends (reoccurring theme here) and would have gotten involved in University life so much more.
Things like going to more things at the Student Union, having flat parties with my housemates and embracing all the little bits and bobs like events that Teesside Uni throws at you.
I also would have been able to sleep in an extra half hour cos of travel time. What a winner that woulda been!
Ok. Now imagining how different my student life coulda been! Somebody rewind 6 years and let me do it all again! Oh, I wish I realised all of this then rather than now!