How I ended up at Uni!

My uni journey properly started when I began my A-levels. I chose:

• Criminology

• Psychology

• Law

I liked the idea of understanding people, behaviour, and the justice system, so these subjects made sense for me. But even with my A-levels sorted, I was still stuck on a big decision:

Do I go to university, or do I do an apprenticeship?

I kept going back and forth. Uni sounded exciting, but also scary. An apprenticeship sounded practical and sensible, but I wasn’t sure if I’d end up regretting not trying uni.

I didn’t have a clear “this is exactly what I want” moment. It was more a lot of thinking, worrying, and trying to work out what felt right.

The Unconditional Offer

Eventually, I decided to apply to uni. I looked at courses that linked to my A-levels and chose my top choice.

Then something big happened:
I got an unconditional offer from my top university. I was honestly so relieved and so grateful. It felt like this massive weight had been lifted, knowing I had a place no matter what. But even with that safety net, my brain didn’t suddenly calm down.

The Waiting: A-Level Anxiety

What really affected me wasn’t so much the exams once they were over—it was the waiting. The gap between finishing my A-levels and getting my results was horrible. I struggled a lot with anxiety during that time. There’s nothing you can do in that period except wait, and that’s exactly what my brain hated. I kept replaying everything in my head, wondering:

• Did I do enough?

• What if I messed up?

• What if my results were worse than I thought?

Even with an unconditional offer, I still cared about my grades, and I still worried about what they would say about me and my effort.

Results Day: Not What I Hoped For

When results day finally came, I opened my results… and I didn’t get the grades I wanted. It was honestly soul-destroying in that moment. I’d built it up so much in my head, and it felt like all the hard work and stress hadn’t paid off the way I’d hoped.

But here’s what it showed me:

Even if something goes wrong, there is always another path. Because of my unconditional offer, I still had my place at uni. I can’t explain how grateful I am for that. It gave me a chance I might not have had otherwise, and I don’t take that lightly.

Starting Uni as a Commuter

I accepted my place and started university. I’m now about four months in, and it hasn’t been easy.

You hear a lot about the “ideal uni life”:

• Big friendship groups

• Constant nights out

• Living in halls and always being around people

• The idea that these are the “best years of your life”

That hasn’t really been my experience. I’m a commuter student, which changes a lot. I don’t live on campus, I don’t have flatmates, and I’m not always around for spontaneous plans.

So far:

• I haven’t made any real friends yet at uni.

• I find it hard not to feel like I’m missing out.

• I don’t feel like I’m living that “typical” uni life everyone talks about.

Most days, uni looks like: travelling in, going to lectures, then heading home. It can feel quite isolating at times.

Still Struggling, But Still Here!

Four months in, I’m still struggling. With the social side, with confidence, and with the pressure of what uni is “supposed” to be like.

But I’m also trying to remind myself:

• Not getting the results I wanted doesn’t mean I don’t deserve to be here.

• Just because I haven’t found my people yet doesn’t mean I never will.

• My uni experience doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to still be valid.

I am genuinely eternally grateful for my unconditional offer. Even though things haven’t gone perfectly, it gave me the opportunity to be here, learning and slowly figuring things out.

If You Feel Like This Too

If you:

• Are stuck choosing between uni and an apprenticeship

• Didn’t get the results you hoped for

• Are commuting and feel like you’re not doing uni “properly”

• Haven’t made friends and feel quite alone

Please know you’re not the only one feeling like that. Not everyone has a picture-perfect uni story. Some of us are still working it out, still adjusting, still trying to find our place. My journey isn’t tied up with a neat, happy ending yet—I’m still in the middle of it. But that’s exactly why I wanted to share it. Because even when things go wrong or feel disappointing, there is still a way forward.

And if you ever need someone who understands that side of uni, my messages are always open. 💬