Great Expectations?

I don't really recall what expectations I had of University life. I can safely say they definitely weren't half of what I have experienced.

The first few weeks of living in Brighton were a blur. Non of it feels real. I was completely overwhelmed by the change without even realising it. I just kept bobbing along in what I call my honeymoon phase with Brighton.

Everything seemed to be falling into place perfectly. I had an amazing house, wicked housemates and was going to be getting a job at Lush. I had hit the trifecta of Uni life as far as I was concerned. The first of my bubbles was burst when my Coconut allergy was clearly much more severe then I had believed it was. Severe to the point that working in Lush would result in an almost constant state of  Anaphylaxis . Needless to say both myself and the manager decided it was safer to not progress with my trial shift. she was so sweet and gave me a hug as I cried and some free face masks to thank me for all the time and effort I put in. 

I left the shop feeling devistated and like everything was going to the crapper. 

My mother and fairy godmother were both very comforting and the yummy cake they bought me certainly helped heal the heart break. 

I remained positive and kept on looking for jobs in places I also loved. 

I suffer from the condition biggious boobus so finding bras that actually fit me is a challenge. Pretty much the only place I can find pretty non granny bras in my size is at a shop called Boux Avenue. And huzzah a job was going and I now work there and have super lovely work pals!!! 

Disaster one had finally be neutralized. 

Disaster two came as a massive shock. 

I've been relatively lucky in my life with friends and those I have around me in my life. I've had a few friends turn on me and become my most severe bullies but luckily I had amazing friends to stand by me. Moving to uni was scary because I had no friends around me and was starting afresh. Yet this was also exciting and gave me hope. People always say you make your best friends in life at uni. 

As I mentioned in previous blogs I was lucky enough to find four amazing girls to live with. We all liked similar things and had similar levels of maturity. One girl E who I meet for the house hunting in August was really lovely. We got on really well and I took her under my wing. I helped her move her furniture around by myself, lent her money, dyed her hair, did her make up and let her sleep in my bed when she felt really home sick. One day she suddenly turned.

That day I got a phone call from our letting agent saying her and her parents had phoned to report that the rest of us were bullying her. She felt segregated from the group and we were phasing her out. This came as a huge shock. We tried to resolve it as adults but that wasn't in her range of capabilities. 

Her mother even got my number phoned me up and threatened me down the phone. 

The whole night was terrifying and her mother even called the police on us as E claimed to feel unsafe. 

After her mother threatened me I went into total meltdown and had a massive panic attack.

This girl who I had helped so much and given my friendship to completely was throwing it back in all of our faces and putting us through hell. 

As horrible as the situation was the girls and I only grew closer. We all have a really open and honest relationship, telling each other about every annoyance so nothing boils up. 

I learnt a lot about the adult world through the situation no longer being so naïve about the character of people. The internet only gibes you a snapshot of a Pearson's true character and she well and truly blinded all of us. 

As you can imagine my start to university was no where near my expectations. 

Thankfully life can only get better and boy has it. Life is amazing, I've made great friends at work and on  my course. I went to an ADTR gig and made some friend from the local area. Had a cheecky kiss with a guy, had some silly drunken nights out and hilarious kitchen parties in the house. We have a new housemate moving in who I was friends with at Uni and she is so lovely. 

I guess what Uni has already taught me in such a short space of time is that life always throws you a curve ball but you can get though the shit and emerge smelling fresh as a daisy. 

If this is what the first two months are like the next 4 years will be an adventure and a half. 

Be wise and make good choices guys

Iona xoxo