Tips For Freshers: Essentials for University

It's that time of year again where everyone seems to be abuzz with first year jitters. It is undeniably daunting to move away from home to live with people you have never met before in your life, it is perfectly normal to be scared, maybe even petrified beforehand, but trust me when I say this: a week into university or college or that new school and you'll already have good friends. Just remember that university is not like school, you won't just see these people in classes you'll see them all the time. You'll live with them, go to their parties, have dinner with them, have kitchen dance parties, play humiliating and amusing drinking games. The first week of your freshman year will cement friendship bonds stronger than the Terminator, it forges unbreakable ties and you'll have a tonne of fun, amusing memories and anecdotes. It will be one of the best years of your life. 

I know you're scared, but admit it deep down you are excited too, after all this is a chance to reinvent yourself, to finally be the person you have always wanted to be: cool, perfect, witty, optimistic and all that jazz. Fuck that. It's not worth it, it takes far too much effort and who says there is anything wrong with you anyway? You're fabulous. Know it. I know that when I started my first year I wanted to be the total opposite of me and I arrived with my contacts in, skinny jeans and new shoes. I had a fantastic first day, even though on the ride over I kept wringing my hands with stress and had to turn up the music really loud to distract myself. Taylor Swift, very distracting. Everything turned out fine of course, but this perfect image I wanted to convey soon shattered. It's like being in the Big Brother House, it's too exhausting putting on a charade so I mean it when I say be you. It's easier and it's definitely better.

Now those two things are out the way, I thought I would knock out another list for you lovelies to help with the anxiety you must be feeling and give you a heads up about what is to come.

1. Have a current account, which basically translates into using your card in shops to buy things, it's so much easier than looking for a cash machine constantly and it is much more conducive to student life.

2. You absolutely need a valid ID, I do not care how old you look or if you don't drink or buy alcohol, if you're with a friend at the supermarket and they want a six pack of Strongbow, they won't get served unless you both have ID. And you're going to feel like a dick. Plus, you don't have to drink to go out, and yes I promise you can still have a good time.

3. It's your first day and everyone is nervous, do yourself a favour to limit the stress pick out an outfit beforehand, something you feel attractive yet comfortable in, maybe layered as you'll get hot unpacking all your things. First impressions do go a long way so just think about how you want to be perceived, don't go crazy and buy a whole new outfit and skincare regime, simply be you on a good day and not a bad day.

4. Be open to new experiences. I'm not talking about threesomes, it's just for many of you this might be your first time away from home and although sometimes that can be sad it also means a lot more freedom. You can now do some things you couldn't before, you can invite a bunch of random people over to your room to play Ring of Fire for instance, you can have chilli-eating contests at five in the monring and you can walk to Tesco to get Pringles at whatever time of night you wish, usually drunk with three of your closest flatmates. 

5. People absolutely will steal your food. So can all the whiny messages on facebook and just steal there's too, as far as you are concerned all food in the kitchen is communal. Except in people's cupboards, come on now, we're not animals.

6. Make your room your own, if you are anything like me you will miss your family way more than you imagined, so your room should be your little safe haven away from everybody else. Personalise it with photos of your family and friends from back home, have a wallplanner so you can organise deadlines and assignment and exams in between socialising and just generally having fun.

7. If you can see your family, do. I only live about an hour away so I try and go home at least once a term, to catch up with everybody and just to have a break from people. It can get claustrophobic as you will see these people so often so it is important to have a break now and then and to just get away and give yourself time to miss them instead of just missing home. Plus the food at home is so much better.

8. Don't be afraid to spend time by yourself, you shouldn't force yourself to be social, everyone needs their "me" time where they can do stuff they would never do in public. Put on a face mask and pig out in your rattiest pyjamas and about seven blankets watching your favourite shows. It will always make you feel better. 

9. Be nice, approachable and engage, the only way people can get to know you is if you participate, play whatever games that are being played, Never Have I Ever is always a good one.  

10. Easy to cook fast food is your friend, something you stick in an oven for 20 minutes and is done. That is what you want. That and friends who cook culinary masterpieces. 

That's really all I have to say for now, as I think of more things I will definitely add to the list and add some awesome pictures that illustrate my points. Just remember you will make friends, you will have a good time and you will learn a lot about yourself. Just because you have finished school it doesn't mean you have life all figured out, you're still dabbling and trying things out, maybe you'll realise uni is not for you, or your interests lie in a different course or maybe you're finding it really hard being away from home or the course may be a struggle academically. It's hard to adjust but it will happen without you noticing and if you need anything, advice or just someone to talk to feel free to contact me. I would be happy to listen and hopefully make you feel better. Have an amazing year guys, thank you for reading and see you soon. 

Lots of love,

Kiran xxxx

My Absence and Apologies

Hello, I haven't posted much recently and I feel I should explain. I am terribly sorry but it's been a tough time for both me and my family as just a few days ago my uncle passed away. He was my Mom's brother and in my culture I would call him Mama so that's what I am going to refer to him by, as to me calling him uncle sounds impersonal. He was a great man and loved by many. He was sick for a long time, five years ago we were given forty eight hours and look how much longer he survived. That's proof their that he was a fighter.

Although, given the nature of his condition it shouldn't be a shock that he's no longer with us, it still is a massive blow to the system. I can't imagine going to my cousin's house and him not being there cracking jokes, taking the piss and bemoaning his restricted diet. It hasn't fully sunk in. 

Even though I myself am not crazily close to him I didn't see and speak to him every day but he was still in my thoughts as were his family and I think I took it for granted that he would survive this illness. He had already for an incredible amount of time. He wasn't perfect I know plenty of people who could attest to that he hurt people and sometimes even treated people badly but I have no doubt that he helped a lot more. He managed to stay positive right to the end which shows how brave and lovely he was. Because even though he was in so much pain I know he never let the true extent of his suffering show with thought for his family. He always put them first and for that he will always have my unconditional respect. And now that he's gone my family isn't complete anymore, all future occasions his absence will register and make people sad. It breaks my heart to see my grandparents cry they are such amazing people and they have lost their son. I can't think of anything more unnatural. And seeing his family and the way they are coping is making my throat tight. I love them all and hope sincerely that my Mama is now watching over us and enjoying his next life. 

The next few weeks will be dedicated to him so I won't be posting much, his funeral is on Saturday and I don't think I will be up to much chatting about my purchases and stuff. I am sorry if I am letting you down. I hope to get back to this soon as we all know life moves on and you can't dwell on everything bad that happens he wouldn't want that and neither do I. Thank you for understanding. 

The Great Gatsby and London

Last week, two days before my birthday my sister drove down to see me and whisked me away to London, one of my favourite places in the world. I love the city, it's always alive with activity and you can never run out of things to do. But most of all I love the fashion, everyone is so much bolder there with their garments and I feel like each individual has their own unique take on style and I love it. So obviously we went shopping, I bought a tonne of makeup and a pretty crop top from TopShop, we each bought a few maxi dresses from Apricot, we had a fancy brunch just outside of Westfield shopping centre. We had such a fabulous time, living like we were on the cast of Made in Chelsea for a day. It was brilliant.
Another incredible part of my day was seeing 'The Great Gatsby' in one of those gorgeous cinemas, with a ginormous screen, comfy leather armchairs and blankets to keep you warm. It was a stunning place and by far the prettiest production of any novel I have ever seen. I adore Fitzgerald, he is one of all time favourite authors, 'The Beautiful and The Damned' is his best book by far I believe and I really hope they make an adaptation of that. Although, I hear good things about 'Tender Is The Night' so I look forward to reading that after re-reading all the others. Apart from his books though. his lifestyle fascinates me, we talked about him in our captivating Lit classes last year (I miss those days) and it came to light that he did live an incredibly extravagant lifestyle and that he would turn out a new novel as quickly as possible so he and his glamorous wife could afford a new fur she wanted. I love that, I like knowing that his books are a reflection of his own life and his relationships.
I have read 'The Great Gatsby' and I liked it, but I didn't fall into it and never want to escape. It was just nice, it painted a nice picture and story and then there was the romantic figure of Gatsby, so I was incredibly impressed by the film. It is very visual, and therefore less about the story because the novel is very slim. I disliked how it is told from Nick's viewpoint, because you don't get a full impression about Daisy and Gatsby's relationship, so in  way it lacks a bit of depth in that sense.
But, I just fell in lust with this movie, it was like sitting and watching someone else's dream for a few hours. Every scene was gorgeous and Leonardo DiCaprio was, of course, flawless. He has not let me down with any movie I don't think (I didn't care for Romeo and Julie much, though). He makes this film, he is fantastic, compelling and he definitely looks the part. So if you haven't already, please watch it, you will not forget it and I promise you it will exceed your expectations.

Being me, of course I paid attention to the make-up worn by the actresses and Daisy's was surprisingly soft and natural even on a night out it was a very soft brown and gray smoky eye, poreless skin
and perfectly coiffed hair. Myrtle's was much more noticeable with a red lip and full eyelashes. Every single aspect of this film was perfect, makeup, styling, acting, cinematography. Baz Luhrman did a tremendous job I look forward to seeing what he does next. Ad if you haven't listened to the soundtrack then you are crazy, I don't think any other film has a soundtrack that could compare. Lana Del Rey's song gets me every single time. Is there anything she sucks at?