It's gone incredibly quick. It barely feels like anytime has passed since I moved into my halls room and unpacked all my stuff, unable to fathom where exactly I was going to put it all.I came to university because I had to. I intended to go straight into a job and work myself up in the industry. However, what I discovered was that to get into publishing, you had to have a degree just to start at the bottom. So here is where I've ended up. And, honestly, I'm so glad I did.
I've learnt so much about writing and though I've been doing it since I was ten, I've realised there's so much more too it. Learning about the small details of writing that I rarely think about when I'm penning a novel has led my writing to improve incredibly. Being aware of the most obvious and simple things is sometimes all it takes.
And I've learnt to love so many new avenues of writing. Journalism was never something I was interested in pursuing but a module this semester has led me to respect and experiment with the art and I've learnt that I'm not as bad at that style of writing as I thought I would be.
I chose London as my city to study in because of its connections. Look up most publishers and literary agents and you will find their offices in and around central London. It's also a wonderful city to experience and discover and when I could no longer stand sitting in my halls room, it was a wonderful place to escape to.
In April I was offered a two week placement at Random House publicity and I adored being able to experience a publishing house. To work in a place I plan to apply for when I leave university was incredible and I advice anyone who has a passion for books or writing to go and give it a chance. It doesn't cost anything but two weeks of your time and you'll quickly learn whether you want to leave after a day or curl up beneath a pile of books and work there forever.My placement helped me to remember what I was here for. To get into publishing you need at least three work experience's on your CV and I wanted to start early, but I had gotten wrapped up in deadlines, tutorials and writing like everyone else wanted me too. Random House showed me what I was stressing about would come to mean something in the end.
Now, let's talk about my flatmates. Moving into halls I was worried. I was older, having taken a gap year, and I didn't drink. I assumed that the 18 year old's I was sharing with would instantly hate me. However what I came to discover was an incredible set of friends. For the last year I haven't stopped laughing. I've met some amazing people and learnt so much about different cultures and backgrounds and even though its been hard sometimes, I will never regret the experience.
Some of the people I've shared a flat with for the last year will be my friends for life. I know a lot of people say that about friends they made whilst in education, but I genuinely feel like we've grown so close that I will always want them over for tea and a gossip. I love them and they're like sisters to me now, and you don't just forget your siblings. No matter how much you want to kill them sometimes.
My first year has been eventful. It's been a lot of up's and down's with people and places but I've come through it the other side. I couldn't have done any of it without the Other Half's support and as we come up to celebrating our two year anniversary, I know that I couldn't be happier.
So, let me just say - Bring It On Year Two.
