I desperately asked the gentleman if he had any way of contacting the driver and explained that I left something crucially important in the back of his car. He shook his head but, almost as if inspiring me not to lose faith, he told me that the driver’s brother had his own taxi parked a […]
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After I thanked the staff member for his help, I began walking in the direction he’d been gesturing towards, as I constructed some sort of plan to get the duffel back. I figured my best bet was going back to the train station in the hopes I’d find the driver there, but how do I […]
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Okay no. Not really. I didn’t spend two nights in an airport’s bus terminal. I was exhausted & wanted nothing more than to collapse into my new bed for the next year, so the tubes would have to do. If only I knew what they had in store for me — I’d have immediately sought […]
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My mood was elevated by the pleasant interaction I had with the immigrations officer checking my papers: he just happened to have a personal relationship with Surrey, and comically told me to be sure I always leave my room with the windows locked, lest I want to return to a giant red balloon exclaiming “You […]
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As I laid down for the first time in my new home, I thought through what it took for me to get from my home country to here. After about an hour and a half of recounting just the significant parts to myself, I laughed and congratulated myself for making a simple 20-hour transit sound […]
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When I first arrived at university, I thought I was coming for a degree. I expected lectures, assignments, late-night study sessions and perhaps a few new friendships along the way. What I did not anticipate was the quiet, steady development of skills that would shape me far beyond the classroom. University, especially for those of […]
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Before coming to university, I remember having countless questions. Now, when prospective students reach out to me, I hear many of those same concerns repeated. They are rarely just asking about lectures or accommodation; they are asking about belonging, survival and whether they will truly be okay. Over time, I have developed honest answers to […]
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Building a personal brand as a student is often misunderstood. Many assume it is about social media aesthetics, polished LinkedIn profiles or carefully curated photographs. In reality, a personal brand begins much deeper than that. It starts with identity. Before you can communicate who you are to others, you must first understand what you stand […]
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As you grow older, the weight of your decisions begins to feel heavier. At university, this awareness sharpens. The modules you choose, the internships you apply for, the friendships you nurture, the habits you form – all of it feels as though it is shaping your future in permanent ink. With that realisation often comes […]
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Here’s How to Come Back Stronger Second Semester Exam season ends, results come out, and suddenly the motivation you promised yourself feels shaky. Maybe the grades weren’t what you expected. Maybe they were worse than you hoped. And maybe now you’re questioning your abilities, your course, or whether you’re even cut out for this academically. […]
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Coming back for second semester is never easy. The excitement of a fresh academic year has worn off, the reality of deadlines has kicked in, and for many of us, we’re returning straight from one of the most draining periods of the year: exam season. There’s this unspoken pressure to “lock in” immediately, to be […]
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