Back at Uni with Charlotte

Some of you may have met our placement student Charlotte at some of our shows during the Summer. She is now back and raring to go for her third and final year at university in Cirencester.

We thought it would be a good time to touch base with her to get an insight into how she feels after her placement  and find out if she has any top tips for our younger customers embarking on similar journeys.

Now, without further ado, let's hear it straight from Charlotte.

Hi everyone I hope you are well! 

I come to you from the centre of Cirencester, in my uni house, sat at the desk in my room - not quite the Hiho office I had the pleasure of spending my summer in - but the uni house will do. Although, it doesn’t have a furry bestie in the form of Kitty or Mr Ws homemade victoria sponges but I suppose I will have to cope!

Embracing university life again after a structured summer at Hiho has been quite an adventure! As a fan of routine, the regular 9-5 rhythm of summer work was perfect for me. My day started with a tranquil dog walk, followed by breakfast preparation and lunch packing, before heading off to a job I absolutely loved. Returning home, I'd squeeze in a quick workout, tend to the horses, and then enjoy a yummy supper. The day would wrap up cozily, snuggling on the sofa with my dog Wills before catching some Zs for the next day's repeat.
Shifting gears to university life, it's a completely different ballgame. My schedule now includes four 2-hour lectures a week, leaving me with plenty of free time. Add in the absence of my horse and dog, and it's a stark contrast to my summer routine. But hey, that's the charm of Uni life, isn't it?

I am getting there slowly but I would be lying if I said such a dramatic change in routine wasn’t a shake up for the books. I am having to find new ways to fill my time -  lots of walking, assignment work and a healthy amount of Instagram scrolling.

Transitioning from a busy summer schedule to the academic rigors of student life can be particularly difficult, especially when facing the final year of studies. It's surprising how swiftly time passes; one moment you're embarking on your university journey, the next, you're contemplating dissertation topics for your final year.

Terror aside, I am excited for what the future holds. Through my placement I've found a field I truly enjoy and can excel in, and I couldn't be more grateful.  A year ago, the thought of my career path was still a blur. Now, having a clearer vision has brought a sense of peace and positivity. As someone who tends to overthink, having some clarity is a huge relief. At the moment, I'm bubbling with ideas for my dissertation and post-graduation plans. I know from experience that these final eight months of my course will fly by, so I've pledged to make the most out of it. A lineup of exciting events, pub outings, coffee catch-ups, and quality time with friends awaits. Sure, there'll be assignment deadlines, job commitments, and hard work, but for now, I'm soaking up the charm of university life.

Whilst off living my best third year life (or certainly attempting to anyway) I am still going to be beavering in the background for Hiho as and when I can so I am afraid you will still be subjected to my questionable reels for a few more months and I may even be piecing together a few more newsletters for you. 

1. Make the most of it - I know, I know, cliche 3rd year thing to say but it is true. I can’t express how quickly this time will fly so make most of it! But don’t forget to take time for yourself too. You can’t make the most of it if you’re burnt out and tired all the time. 
2. Be proactive - work hard, play hard. Start the assignments early, keep your stress levels down and find fun things to do. Not everything will present itself to you instantly, sometimes you have to be a little proactive and find it. If there’s nothing fun on, do some research, find something, or create something - you’ll be amazed at what could be on your doorstep. 
3. Doing some work may be a good idea - I know, boringgg, but that is kind of why you are here… that little thing called a degree? Jokes aside, lectures can be fun and beneficial, attend them, learn from them and soak up as much as you can.