First things first, today is my 3 year blog anniversary! I can't quite believe I've been posting (on and off) in my little corner of the internet for 3 whole years - it's just flown by. I'd really like to thank everyone who reads my blog and especially those who leave lovely comments and messages, it really means a lot to me. Anyway, in honour of said blogiversary I thought I'd better post something to interrupt my recent absence, so here is a little life update.

Since my last post I've gone back to uni after 5 weeks of Easter holiday, struggled through the 3 weeks prior to exams, endured a week of exams, gone home for a week, spent 3 more weeks doing nothing back at uni and been back home again for just over a week. So quite a busy time to say the least! Unfortunately it hasn't been the best of times, mostly because the stress I experienced leading up to exams (which I know don't count as they were only 1st year ones, but still, I am a natural worrier) triggered an episode of major anxiety which basically resulted in my inability to function for a couple of weeks when it combined with other mental health problems. I won't go into details but basically it was not a fun time in the slightest, even though the exams themselves ended up being perfectly doable.

I then headed back home for a week to have an operation which I also won't go into too much. It was nice to be home, albeit briefly, and to finally relax after being stressed out about exams for approximately 10+ weeks straight. But no sooner was I out of hospital I whisked myself back up north just in time for a disco-type event in my college, which is a lot more fun than it sounds and usually the highlight of the term. The following three weeks were a mixture of hanging out with friends, participating in fun college events (though I wasn't involved, the production of Mamma Mia was an absolute gem especially given it was rehearsed and performed all in 48 hours), and generally getting into the holiday feeling. I also spent a lot of time trying to manage my mental health better as it took a massive dip and made it hard to feel even remotely motivated or interested in anything. In that sense it was a pretty horrible time, especially as I had exam results looming in the final week and the mild stress of not being able to confirm my modules and enroll for next year until the last day, thanks to the geography department's odd way of managing things. Luckily I was kept busy by multiple medical appointments and my exam results turned out fine - I came within 0.4% of a 1st! Next year I'll be taking a module in political geography, social & cultural geography, a compulsory theories and concepts module, a compulsory research module and an optional French module.

All in all my first year of uni has had its highs and lows, and plenty of each. Its been a hell of an experience in so many ways, from living 'abroad' to learning how to function in the world of academia and building new friendships. I can't say I've lived the typical 'university experience' to the fullest so far, but that's just my personality: I never expected to, and it took me a long time to find my feet and feel comfortable. But that said, I hope the next two years turn out to be a whole lot better now I've finally settled into life at uni.

As for the rest of the summer, my plans consist of trying to get my health back on track, a potential internship in September, and a couple of low-key holidays to Ireland (to stay with friends) and England (to visit churches and graveyards with my mum, lol). In between I'm planning to read, watch films, do some crafting, try out my new rollerskates and I hope I'll also manage to find the motivation to blog along the way!

Until then,

xx