Yesterday I hopefully had my last Bachelor exam in Belgium. Our system here works like this: three years of Bachelor, and then one or two years Master. Since I want to go studying abroad next year, I would do my third Bach year there.
It feels good of course to have finished all my finals. I’ve been working so hard since February to come to this point: no more exams! No more work for school! Freedom! Now I sit in my garden, typing this post, and I can, because there is nothing more I really have to do.
Yesterday we also emptied my room. Belgium is small enough for everyone to go home during the weekends, so so far I have lived in two places the whole time. From Monday to Friday I lived close to my university, and the weekends I spent at home. It is incredible though what you can put in a room so small… Students all live in small places, I had the luck of finding a big one, but I filled it for sure! I made it my mission to get as much stuff in boxes and bags before my dad would pick me up. I spent almost two hours cleaning my room… I didn’t realize how much I had there, and how much should have been thrown away ages ago. I found information about how the university works again… Only two years ago I started something so new and exciting, and there was still proof in my room. Proof of the time when I still needed maps and information. Next to that I found pages filled with words and their translation, words which I now often use.
Has university been what I expected? For the biggest part, yes. It meant freedom, it meant going out as long as you want, it meant exciting nights, booze and guys. This came at a moment when I really needed such a thing. I’ve told you more than once how I had enough of the rules at high school, and I found my life boring back then. That definitely changed when I started going out at university… It didn’t turn out that well all the time, but it gave me stories to tell. I like to have stories to tell. I’m still convinced that going to university came at the exact good moment and is the best thing I could be doing now.
Next to all the knowledge I gained in my classes, I did also learn a lot of other things. So, here’s a little list of Things I Learned When Going To University:
* Freedom! Freedom! I like freedom! And I don’t abuse it!
* Having an opinion of exactly one page.
* Cooking is way more about heating things up than about following the rules so the food won’t kill you. (Luckily I don’t eat chicken though.)
* Every day can be a good day to go for a drink.
* Guys can be assholes and/or cowards.
* I take the wrong decisions, but in the end I always make a good, important decision and all is well.
* When it’s fun, you should stay.
* Not everyone likes hygiene like I do. Unfortunately.
* Though water can sometimes be enough to clean things…
* You can always do more than you think – like reading ten giant books in 13 weeks.
* However hard you try to avoid it, bullshit will always be somewhere.
* But at university it’s less than in high school.
* I like water. Like, a lot. In high school we couldn’t drink during the classes. Then I went to university and now I carry a bottle of 1,5l with me almost all the time.
* I need food the entire time.Preferably every 30 minutes. Or else my stomach can revolt…
* Whatever I do, I need my breaks and relaxing. I can never keep on studying from 8 am until 11 pm without some distraction. I accept that.
* Mornings are just not my time. I mostly wake up for real in the evening, and then I feel like my day can finally start… I also accept this.
* Dancing and writing are real passions, like things I need, physically, mentally. I need to dance, I need to write. It keeps me sane and happy. It’s not just a hobby in some way…
* Make sure you always have some food at home.
* Food expires fast.
* I like freedom. I like the freedom to say that twice π
Now I feel like a new exciting part is coming up. I’m looking forward to going abroad. It’s terrifying and it freaks me out, but that’s exactly why I want to do it. Moving all my stuff out of that room felt calming in a way. Finally clean. And ready for a new episode. These two years have been fun, I cherish the memories, but I’m not longing to it. There will be something else.
And that feels awesome.
No Blog Intended 
Michael Cargill
/ June 26, 2014Yeah, the sudden freedom you experience when leaving school is liberating and brilliant… until you realise how fast time flies.
Also…
Exciting nights, booze and guys. Yeah, that’s what university is all about.
Hygiene? WTF, who cares if you’ve got baked beans on your pillow?
No Blog Intended
/ June 26, 2014Yes, time flies, but I’ve come to a point where I like that. Life should move on. Or else I will be making exams all the time and I can’t handle that π
Oh god, hygiene should be normal! Last week we had so much fruit flies in our kitchen. That is so disgusting! I almost didn’t dare to enter the kitchen. Yuk.
NotAPunkRocker
/ June 26, 2014I think it is great you are looking forward to the challenge and the unknown!
I may have to show Matthew this list…or just parts of it LOL
No Blog Intended
/ June 26, 2014Hahaha, well… Overall university is okay. Things can never be perfect, but it’s good to get something different and more freedom when you’re 18. He’ll like it π
Twindaddy
/ June 26, 2014Yes, every day is a good day to drink. Absolutely.
No Blog Intended
/ June 26, 2014This wasn’t supposed to be alcohol propaganda, haha π Maybe I should change it into ‘Every day is a good day to have fun’.
Twindaddy
/ June 26, 2014No, no. Lol. I think you had it right…
No Blog Intended
/ June 26, 2014Haha okay, that’s how like it, when people agree with me!
Twindaddy
/ June 26, 2014Woohoo!!
El Guapo
/ June 26, 2014Fantastic news, CONGRATULATIONS!
You should keep that list and update it in ten years. It’ll be interesting to see how some of those things have changed.
So where abroad are you going?
No Blog Intended
/ June 26, 2014That’s a good idea! I would want to see how I think about uni when I have a job, haha π
If everything turns out fine (fingers crossed!) I’ll be going to Russia and Poland (I study those languages after all). There still needs to be done a lot to get there, but the thought of not going is too bad π
joannesisco
/ June 26, 2014Congratulations! You have a great list. For me, the one that I’m constantly reminded of – no matter how old I get – is the fact we are always capable of soooo much more than we think π
No Blog Intended
/ June 26, 2014Thank you! Yes, that surprised me, but it’s very good to know! Whenever something scares me, I remind myself of what I’ve done already π
The Indecisive Eejit
/ June 26, 2014Well done you, I knew you could do it. I am however a little worried, you + free time = mischief. although I suppose that’s ok as long as you tell us all about it lol
No Blog Intended
/ June 27, 2014Hahaha, what do you mean? π I still have some good stories to tell, and I’m planning on doing so! Because sometimes it’s just very funny and just a little bit mischief π
mgert123
/ June 27, 2014It’s been many years for me, but interesting post. Seems like being at university is somewhat universal regardless of where you are. Brought back many memories from those days. Best of luck on your travels. Where are you headed?
No Blog Intended
/ June 27, 2014It probably is universal, as you say! The sudden change of environment and system gives everyone a bit of a boost I think π
If everything goes right, I’ll be going to Russia and Poland – to improve my language knowledge. I’m so looking forward to it π
bethteliho
/ June 27, 2014I miss those carefree days, yet, I wouldn’t change where I am today for anything. I love your adventurous spirit! It’s exciting when you have so much ahead of you….unknown….thrilling. I love your list, especially how often you reference food. LOL. Congrats and good luck!
No Blog Intended
/ June 27, 2014Hahaha, well, what can I say, we all need food! π For the moment I like this kind of life, but maybe after five years I might want a new episode again, we’ll see π
Thank you!
Lily
/ June 27, 2014Ahh you’ve grown up right before my eyes. Haha joking aside, isn’t uni awesome? It’s like the perfect combination of being an adult, but still having the comfort of being in school without having to feel too much pressure of doing all of the boring adult things. Like a big sleep over with friends. I loved it. Glad you are too!
No Blog Intended
/ June 30, 2014As you say, it’s being an adult while still having freedom! It’s hard not to love it π
maurnas
/ June 29, 2014I feel like you have some lovely food poisoning stories to share.
No Blog Intended
/ June 30, 2014Hahaha, actually no! The thought scares me… I could share stories of me throwing away food that was no longer good. I think though that that might be a little boring… π
editalozovska
/ June 30, 2014I felt the same way regarding water and hygiene. And you are done with uni so soon? It felt quite brief compared to my experience! π
No Blog Intended
/ June 30, 2014I’m not done yet! By far, haha π I’ll be doing two or three or even more years, but I’ll spend the coming one abroad. That’s why it seemed like a good moment to look back on the first two years π
RO
/ June 30, 2014Ohhhh I’m excited for you to go abroad!! It’s going to be epic, you know it! Don’t be afraid π
Hey, did you know Belgium and The Netherlands might end up together in the World Cup?? π
No Blog Intended
/ June 30, 2014I’m a little bit afraid, but I am looking forward way more!
No, I didn’t! But I think you are better than us… Though of course I’ll hope we will win π
RO
/ June 30, 2014Haha yes, don’t we all..!! I hope we can conquer Costa Rica and go into the semi-finales!!
beholdtheinfinite
/ July 9, 2014Have an AMAZING time abroad! I can’t wait for the stories that will bring. And teach me Russian, please π I have way too many Russian friends to justify not knowing the language.
No Blog Intended
/ July 9, 2014You have Russian friends? That’s so very cool! I am very willing to teach you Russian… But I don’t know if that would work out so well over the Internet, hehe π If you look around here, there are some nice Russian songs and everything hidden in the archives. For example this one, I love it forever and ever : https://noblogintended.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/dark-in-the-night-%D1%82%D1%91%D0%BC%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F-%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%87%D1%8C/
beholdtheinfinite
/ July 10, 2014That’s beautiful! I’ll have to explore your archives even more now π Have you ever had the privilege of witnessing a roomful of Russians bellowing the song “ΡΠ°ΡΠΎΡΠΊΠ° ΠΌΠΎΡ” in honor of the birthday person? It’s quite enjoyable.
I do have a lot of Russian friends…I’ve met many through church. If I ever get to the point where I can speak basic phrases, I’ll have plenty of people to practice with!
No Blog Intended
/ July 10, 2014Ah yes of course, you are orthodox, what better way to get to know Russian people?
I’ve never had that privilege, maybe next year, it sounds brilliant! I once found myself in compnay of other people who speak Russian, and while we were walking down the streets we started singing a Russian song. Everyone must have thought we were nuts, but it was so nice π
beholdtheinfinite
/ July 11, 2014Sounds like fun π