University

Today as I logged on to my emails expecting to find nothing but junk from online shopping websites, I found an email from ucas to say that my final offer had come through, and all five of the universities I have applied to have accepted my offer!

I've applied to do English at Lincoln, Leicester, Sheffield Hallam, Leeds Trinity and Coventry - and all five of them wanted me, me! Can you believe it? I certainly can't. Applying for these courses was so daunting because I had nothing more than my AS grades, personal statement and a reference from my Head of Sixth Form, who has known me for little over a year, to get me through. No interviews, portfolios or auditions, purely an online form. I can't believe it worked. 

I've since accepted my firm (Lincoln) and insurance (Sheffield Hallam) choices, rejecting the other three. Rejection is a harsh word, but I'm so happy because now I can stop worrying about getting in and just work my butt off for those 300 ucas points. I need to organise my student finance and accommodation (it's scary to think that I'll be living away from home in less than a year) and then it all comes down to results day, 14th August, here I come! 

I'm so excited!

Are any of you applying to university this year? 

I wish I'd never met you

Dress - Topshop

Cardigan - George at Asda

Necklace - Primark

Belt - Primark

This is what I wore for school today, I really like the shape of this dress and you've probably seen a lot of girls walking around in similar ones, it was a very popular style at Topshop. I got mine in the sale and accidentally picked up one from the petite range so it is a little short, but luckily I'm not the tallest person anyway so I don't think it is too obscene, especially when I wear it with thick tights and a cardigan like today.

I went to Leicester University at the weekend for an open day, it was nice and the English BA there sounds like a really good course, and it put my mind to rest about having only done Language and not Literature at A Level. The accommodation looked nice and everyone I spoke to was really friendly and helpful, I am still considering it for next year - now my biggest problem is trying to scrape a B in Chemistry. 

Up until now I was really looking forward to university, but going to the open day made it feel very real, and a lot of concerns have risen. I don't want to be one of those people who stay in their room all the time and don't socialise - one of the biggest things I want to gain from university is a bunch of new friends, but I know how much I struggle with talking to new people and I'm terrified that I will get there and hate it like I hated sixth form. But I still feel rather like I should go to university (what else would I do?) and I want to go away - I think commuting would only make me stay in my shell, leaving home might force me out. It's just a big gamble and it's very scary. 

How did any of you deal with meeting lots of new people, either at work or at university?

Back to school shopping

August is quickly running out and before I know it I will be back at school again for the final time ever.

It's funny, even though I left school last year to start sixth form, I never really felt as though I left school because I'm still very much in a school environment: although I am no longer forced to wear a blazer, I am still surrounded by the lower school that do have to suffer such burdens, I still call all my teachers "Miss" and "Sir" and my day still begins at 9am and finishes at 3:30pm (however these days there is often a skive to the local shop slotted somewhere inbetween)

So the thought of going "back to school" for the final time is rather a daunting one, because this time next year I will be looking at all the "back to uni" ranges in shops, and in addition to folders and pens and new clothes, I will be looking at bedding, irons and kettles. It's all a very exciting prospect, and seeing at the Year 13's go off to university this year has only made me want it more, there is just the small matter of my A2 exams before I get there.

One of the best things about going to a sixth form that doesn't require a uniform is that I no longer have to suffer the traditional "back to school shop" which used to entail me and my mum walking around Bhs trying to find some trousers that fit and five matching white shirts with a top button fastening. Instead, we get to walk around the clothes shops that I actually like, and buy a few basics so that I have a few new things to go back in.

The jeans are from H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams, the jumpers are from Red Herring at Debenhams and the T-shirt is from Next. 

I only realised the distinct star-theme after I'd bought the clothes, I assure you that it was completely accidental. I love the subtle print on the jeans, and the jumpers are unbelievably soft and cuddly and so they should make the grim walks up to the bus stop on dark mornings bearable. The striped t-shirt isn't something I would usually go for but I really like the colour and think it will be a great layering piece in the autumn months coming up.

It's still August and I've already got the back to school blues, can't I have another month of summer?

From a very young age...

Shirt - Flotique (available here) 

Jacket - Vintage 

Skirt - Republic 

Sneakers - Converse

Okay, so I admit that the jacket isn't really vintage... it's my mum's. But she did buy it in the 90's so technically it is still vintage, but vintage sounds a whole lot cooler than "borrowed from my mum" doesn't it? 

We are beginning to write our personal statements for university applications at school now, which is a very daunting process because 1) I am not good at talking myself up and 2) I don't have any hobbies that a university would really approve of; my free time consists of scrolling Tumblr, watching TV, baking and reading magazines.

I do enjoy writing though, which is why I'm considering an English degree in which I can choose certain modules which include creative writing. The whole reason I began this blog in the first place with my good friend Hannah was to get my voice out there and get some writing practise in, bloggers are always getting featured in Company magazine and I think it's a great place to start.

I hope you're all good, and if you have any tips for applying to university I'd very much like to here them!