International Year One in Business (4 Terms)

Newcastle University - INTO UK

My university experience has been a beautifully chaotic mix of triumph, growth, accidental naps in public spaces, and one too many “Why did I think this degree was a good idea?” moments. If I had to sum it up, I’d say it was like a Netflix coming-of-age series—heartwarming, occasionally dramatic, full of plot twists, and somehow always involving coffee. The best parts of uni? First, the people. I met friends who have seen me at my best, my worst, and my “submitting an assignment at 11:59:59 while whisper-screaming” phase. These are the people who would quiz me on lecture notes, drag me out for fresh air when I hadn’t seen sunlight in 36 hours, and celebrate every academic victory like I’d just won an Olympic medal in Essay Writing. The sense of community made even the messiest days feel survivable. Then there were the opportunities—actual grown-up opportunities that made me feel like a functioning human in society. Internships, academic projects, workshops, and random events I only went to for free snacks but ended up loving. Uni showed me I could push myself further than I ever thought… mostly because deadlines pushed me first. I also grew in ways that aren’t on any transcript. I became more confident, more independent, and significantly better at pretending I understood what was happening in group projects (spoiler: I did not). I learned how to balance life, work, study, and sleep—which, yes, is a fancy way of saying sleep often lost, but the effort was there. And the worst parts? Oh, where to begin. Let’s start with the Academic Black Holes: those weeks where every possible assignment, exam, quiz, project, and presentation happened at the exact same time, like they were conspiring to test both my GPA and my will to live. My diet during those periods was 80% caffeine, 20% hope. Group projects also deserve an honorary award for emotionally preparing me for the real world. Nothing teaches conflict resolution like trying to diplomatically explain to a teammate that they cannot, in fact, submit a blank slide and call it “minimalist design.” Then there’s the financial struggle—because nothing screams adulthood like paying for textbooks that you use once and then become very expensive doorstops. My bank account and I have been through things together. And yes, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t moments of doubt. Times when I questioned my major, my abilities, my life choices, or the fact that I signed up for an 8 a.m. lecture even though I am biologically incompatible with mornings. But here’s the thing: Even the worst moments ended up shaping the best version of me. The stress taught me resilience. The failures taught me humility. The chaotic nights taught me time management (eventually). And the uncomfortable experiences pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. In the end, uni wasn’t perfect—but it was meaningful, hilarious, challenging, and unforgettable. It gave me memories I’ll laugh about for years, skills I’ll actually use, and friendships I’ll keep forever. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything… except maybe lower tuition.