Eighteen things I learned being 18

Growing up is something we all have to do, whether we like it or not. If it was up to me, I'd like to stay this age forever; young enough to be free yet old enough to do what I want too. Tomorrow, I turn 19. It's my last year of being a teenager, and it's very hard for me to process the fact that I'll be turning 20 this time next year. In this past year of being an 'adult' I've experienced some amazing moments; I've been to Uni, made and lost friends and learned how to cope with things on my own.

 I think turning 18 really opens your eyes to the real world; you're legally allowed to do so many things that you may have not been able to do before such as buy alcohol and go out clubbing. Doing all these 'adult' things has made me realise so much about life in general; what's acceptable and what's not. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll remember I did a post about 'Seventeen things I learned being 17'. I thought it'd be fun to do a similar post, but with all the things that being 18 has taught me. 

1. Deleted toxic people

I started adulthood off with an amazing set of friends, but as life has taken it's twists and turns, some of these people are no longer part of my life anymore. Many people have shown their true colours this year, and I've decided that I have no time for fakeness, bitchiness and negativity in my life. Deleting these people is very very hard, but the reassurance that your real friends are always there makes things a little bit easier. The sooner you delete toxic people from your life, the happier and more content you will be. 

2. Living away from home isn't all that bad

Being 18 saw me take a big step and move away from home. I got my own little flat in Liverpool, and although I felt a little homesick at first, living on my own wasn't actually all that bad. I learned so many new skills, including how to boil an egg. I think I'm going to miss all the independence next year! 

3. Be brave and face your fears

I'm pretty sure I said something similar to this last year, but I can't begin to explain how amazing it feels to accomplish something that you were once scared of. I went on holiday on my own, overcame my fear of planes and I'm slowly learning to be more confident in myself. In the words of Peter Pan himself 'Be Brave and Never Grow Up' 

4. I miss Disney more as an Adult than a child 

I never thought I would ever miss Disney as much as I do. I always had Disney blues as a kid but they seemed to fade away pretty quickly because I think I always knew when I was going to go back. But as an adult, I can't begin to explain how much I'm missing being surrounded by the magic. I also appreciate Disney much more as an adult; both the films and the hard work that goes into the job. It's just the best thing in the world, I can't think of anything that makes me happier. 

5. Hard Work = Success

It's pretty self explanatory; if you work hard to achieve your goals then you will. I passed my A-Level exams and made it to Uni, but I would never have passed these exams if I wouldn't have stayed behind in college and worked my little bum off to be where I am right now.  The best thing about achieving your dreams is being able to go out and find a new one! 

6. Never drink four different cocktails and then Jäger bombs

This is a mistake I made, and one I will never be making ever again. Just a bit of life advice for ya! 

7. If you're not happy, change things

There is no point in living a life that you're unhappy with. I've made so many changes this past year, whether that be in education, relationships or lifestyle. I'm not saying these changes have been easy, but I'm feeling so much happier because of them. 

8. Aldi has everything you will ever need

If there is ever a zombie apocalypse then Aldi is the place to be. As a student, I think I've spent most of my time in there stocking up on pasta and cheese. If you're ever in doubt, Aldi will always have the answer. 

9. You don't have to be doing what everyone else is doing
I think I've finally realised that everyone is different and that we all progress at different rates. I mean if you're not ready to do something, then that's totally fine and people will respect you more for that fact. It's okay to just do you.

10. Uni isn't all it cracked up to be
Okay so I've only completed my first year, and before I started everyone told me I would be embarking on the best three years of my life. I'll be truthful, I find that very very hard to believe. I don't know if it's because I changed courses half way through the year, or if it's just not my thing. It's not the amazing thing everyone makes it out to be.

11. I'm actually a really good cook
If there's one thing I've learnt this year, it's that I make the best pasta in the world.

12. Writing poetry is seriously relaxing
If you would've told me I would enjoy writing poetry this time last year, I would've laughed in your face and told you to shut up. But actually, I really enjoy it. I seem to be inspired to write poems a lot, not that they're any good of course.

13. I spend way too long singing in the shower
I'm that one person that takes about six hours in the shower, but it's because I sing all the time. I didn't realise how much I actually sing in the shower until my flatmates pointed it out to me. It's like the highlight of my day; my shower playlist has some cracking tunes.

14. Don't lie to impress people
How many times has someone lied to impress someone they've liked? If you say you've not then you're probably lying. I've learnt that actually, people like you much more for being yourself rather than bragging about the things you don't actually have.

15. Your heart gets broken sometimes, but that's okay
The majority of males I have encountered this year have been absolute idiots, and yep I've been a little bit upset. But it's completely normal to encounter idiots. Like they say, you've got to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince.

16. Never let a man take advantage of you
Whether it be in a club or just a guy you've been speaking too, never ever let them take advantage of you. You are worth more than a guy who thinks he can just call you up when it suits him.

17. Hot lemonade fixes everything
I have finally found the cure for that horrible unwell feeling. Put lemonade in a pan, boil it for a little while and then drink it. It sounds disgusting I know, but it cures everything. I swear by it.

18. Your Mum & Dad will always be proud of you
This year, I was under the impression that I let a lot of people down. But actually, it just made them prouder of me for taking a chance and doing what I wanted to do. My Mum and Dad are proud of me no matter what I do, as long as I'm happy.

Only a few hours of being 18 left! ahhhhh!

 Lots of Love,
Meg
xox

Twitter | Tumblr  | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube

Which University should you choose?

It's coming up to that time of year again. By now, your UCAS Applications should have been completed and sent off and you'll be waiting for offers from your chosen Universities. However, which University do you choose? 

It's one of the hardest decisions you'll ever have to make, and also one of the most important. You want to choose somewhere where you are going to thrive and grow as a person. Where you feel safe, happy and will want to spend the next three or four years of your life. 

The best thing to do is to go and visit the University for their open days. This is the one thing that will help you ultimately decided which University you will be starting at in August. When you go to these open days, you get a feel for the University, talk to the lecturers of your chosen course and look around the student accommodation. The best open days to go too are held in the term time because you get a real feel for the University and the City you will be living in. You probably won't believe me when I say this to you, but as soon as you enter the University, you'll know straight away if it's somewhere you want to be. If you don't feel comfortable then don't even consider it. You want to feel safe and happy. 

Another thing to consider is if you want to live away from home. If you are 100% sure that you don't want to move away and live in student accommodation, then don't choose a University that's a six hour drive away from where you live. The reason I chose Liverpool is because it was far enough from home that I could live away, but close enough to home that I could get home if I needed too. If you're querying about moving away, my advice is to just go for it. When you arrive, every single person is in the same boat, but you'll form such a close bond with your flat mates and you'll meet so many new people. Also, you find that you become much more independent as a person, you have a lot more freedom and it's a nice thing to have responsibility. When you go home and see your parents, you'll also discover that there will be less arguments, because you spend more time catching up on all the gossip you've missed whilst you have been away. 

It's not just the University you choose that you need to be comfortable with, you need to be content with your surroundings. If you don't feel safe in the city you will be living in, then please don't go and study there because I can guarantee that you won't enjoy your experience. Do you hate cities? No problem, there are plenty of Universities in little towns such as Bangor and Crewe. Make sure you've considered all of your options. Don't just jump in and make an instant decision. Some Uni's don't turn out the way you want them to be. Make sure that you feel inspired, especially if you're doing  a creative course. 

Once you've received all of your University offers, I would recommend, if you can, going looking at the University you are thinking of choosing as your firm choice one more time to make sure that it's definitely right for you. Sometimes, you can change your mind, but that's okay, as long as you're going to be happy. 

Finally, the last thing is the grades, or points, you'll need to get into the University. Make sure you have a safety net to fall back on if exams don't go your way. If you're only predicted to get B's or C's don't choose two A* Universities as your final choices, you need something you can fall back on, and you don't want to be disappointed on results day. Also remember that there's always clearing, so if you don't get the grades, there's still a chance you'll get in. 

All I can say to you now is that you need to follow your dreams, and do what you love. Do not let anyone force you into going to a Uni or doing a course that you don't want to do; make sure that you are doing what you want to do. Make sure that you work hard for your exams, all the hard work pays off in the end I promise! :)

Good Luck!

 Lots of Love,

Meg

xox

Twitter | Tumblr  | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Instagram

Lighting up Blackpool

Hello Everyone!

One of the main highlights of my year is going to see the Blackpool Illuminations. I've been going to see them since I was a little girl, so much so, it's become a tradition that we go every year. I'm not going to lie to you, every year, the lights are exactly the same: the same design; the same order; the same colours; everything. Okay maybe I'm over exaggerating there a little, there are some tiny little changes from time to time, but mostly, they are always the same. I guess that's what makes it fun to visit. 

There's always been something about going to see the lights that has fascinated me. I think I just really like all the pretty colours and the way everything changes. I love the way families always look so happy when they walk through the lights together, and as I have grown up, I love seeing how happy the kids are walking through in bewilderment. I remember when I used to be like that as a child. In my family, it's tradition that we have some fish and chips (it's something northern people have to do) and then walk through the big lights, get back into the car and then drive through the little overhead lights. If you've ever been to see the illuminations, then you'll know what I mean. 

When the lights switch on at the beginning of September, you know that Autumn is approaching. There's nothing I love more than walking along the promenade at Blackpool, wrapped up in my woolly scarf with my bobble hat and gloves. I love the smell of the sea and how spectacular the lights look when you actually get to see them up close. I always prefer to walk through the lights, one day, I'd like to walk through all of them. I don't think it'd be possible to do it in one night, but I'd love to do it in two halves. It's a dream of mine. However, the highlight of my year is seeing the teddy bears picnic. This is my favourite attraction at the lights every year and it has been since I was a little girl. It's basically a lot of teddy bears who play in a park; they swing on their swings, spin on a roundabout and slide down the slide. I know it sounds quite creepy but I promise it's not, it's the cutest thing ever. I would also like to speak about the house that sings. Yep. A house that sings. If you think I'm joking then you'll just have to go and see for yourself.

Yesterday, I went to see the illuminations with my family, and being the dedicated blogger that I am, I thought I'd bring along my camera (or my phone) and take a couple of lovely photos to upload on here. Enjoy!

Have you been to see the Blackpool Illuminations yet?

Which one of them is your favourite?

Lots of Love

Meg
xox

Twitter | Tumblr  | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Instagram

Re-United & Ladies at Brunch

Hello Everyone!

I've not really got a focus for this blog post, I'm currently sat in my University room after returning from a lovely weekend at home with my family and friends. Whilst I was at home, my friend and I visited the cutest café which was very ditzy, girly and so photogenic (well as photogenic as a café can be). I thought I'd do a little ramble about my week and what I've been getting up too. 

This week has been a very enjoyable but hectic week at University. As it has been my first week, I've been meeting new people, meeting my course tutors and just trying to find my way around in general. I've had a very productive week, I absolutely love Creative Writing, the fact that I can just sit in a room and let my imagination flow onto a piece of paper makes me very happy. I also found out that I'll be attending a writing residential somewhere in Wales in the coming weeks which is something I am very very excited for. However, because this week has been so hectic, I haven't had as much time as I would have liked to speak to my family, so on Friday I decided to jump on the train and head home for the weekend. One of the main reasons I wanted to do this was because I was missing my dog. I was missing my dog A LOT. As many of you know, Buster is my world so being away from him for two weeks was really hard. Plus Mum was telling me how he was starting to worry because I hadn't come home. I couldn't wait to see him. 

As I was riding on the train, which was extremely uncomfortable as the carriage kept bouncing up and down therefore making my bag fall of the seats, I realised how lucky I am to be living in such a wonderful city like Liverpool. I appreciate having a flat to go back to after lectures and not having to get the train back to my local town, full of screaming children and angry business men. Those things combined with tiredness after a very long day don't go very well together. Going back home on the train on a Friday evening really made me realise that there is no way I could commute home every weekend. 

When the train pulled up at the station, I hauled my heavy bag full of clothes and another bag of washing for my Mum off the train and was greeted by my Mum and Grandma ready to pick me up. I really was home. Now I just couldn't wait to see my partner in crime. The minute I walked into the house, Buster went crazy, he was so happy to see me and after I'd dumped my bags by the door, I was bombarded with kisses and cuddles. If there's one thing I'd missed, it was definitely cuddles. 

Being at home was such a satisfying feeling, it was nice to go back and see that everything was still there, nothing had changed and life still went on as normal. It's very weird being at University because when you go home, you expect that everything is going to change, of course it doesn't but because you're not there, it feels very weird going back. On the Friday, I was supposed to be meeting my best friend Liv for a drink at our local pub, we hadn't seen each other for three weeks and in our world, that is a lifetime. Sadly, she decided not to come home from Uni this weekend (or so I thought) and I spent the night relaxing with my family. 

On the Saturday, Mum and I went to Warrington and did some shopping. I think my Mum really misses having someone that she can go shopping with. Mum and I have always been very very close, so me not being around the house is quite hard for her. I know it's hard for me without her. Saturday night was one of the loveliest nights of the year. Mum, Dad and I headed over to my Auntie's for a family get together. I was able to see my cousins again and actually speak to them. I don't get to see this side of the family a lot so when we do get together, I really do treasure the moments. 

Then we get to Sunday, and that means home time. On Saturday night, I got a surprise text from Liv telling me that she was at home so we immediately decided that we would go out for a late breakfast or early lunch (Brunch as we like to call it). When Liv and I saw each other again it was the nicest thing ever. Liv and I have been friends since we were around six or seven years old, we've always lived around the corner from one another and whenever we go out, we always go together. When we both left for Uni, it was horrible. It was like I'd lost my right arm. It didn't make it any better that it was harder to see one another because we were a two hour train journey away from each other. I can't begin to tell you how nice it was to see another friendly face. 

Liv and I decided to go to a little café around the corner from where we live called 'Toast'. It's the cutest café, as you can tell from the décor and because it was such a lovely day, we decided to sit outside in the alley way. Now I know that doesn't sound the nicest, but it was decorated with bushes with twinkling lights and blankets over the seats just in case you got cold. From the moment Liv and I were re-united, we didn't shut up. We had so much to catch up on and we had such a laugh, Liv and I always laugh a lot when we're together. For our meal, I had the loveliest ham baguette with crisps, salad and the nicest home-made coleslaw ever. We then had some cake and a coffee, the home-made Lemon Drizzle cake is literally to die for. I have never tasted anything as nice in my entire life. 

After our lovely afternoon lunch, it was time for me to say my goodbyes and head back to Liverpool. As much practice as you get, saying goodbye is the hardest thing you can ever do. I think it's the bit I hate the most about going home because at some point you know that you're going to have to say goodbye. Mum cried again, as always, which made me cry. I think we'll get better at goodbyes though, at least I hope we do. Do they ever get easier?

So now, I'm back in Liverpool after such a lovely weekend back at home! 

Lots of Love

Meg

xox

Twitter | Tumblr  | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Instagram

Update: I DID IT!!!

Hello Everyone!

I know I'm not following my normal schedule, but today, something extremely significant has happened in my life and I wanted to share it with you all. I don't know if you remember, but last year I did a post about ALevel. Results day and how I had passed my exams, allowing me to continue on my journey to University. 

Well today, that dreadful day rolled round again and at 6am this morning I was up bright and early to check my results. I'd been up all night worrying as my exams hadn't really gone to plan but nothing could have prepared me for the happiness, relief and utter joy I felt when I was told that my offer had been confirmed at my firm choice university.  Yep, I did it! I actually got into University. In September I will be studying BAHONS Drama and Creative Writing at Liverpool John Moores University and I am absolutely over the moon.

I hope you all did really well in your results too!

Lots of love

Meg 

Xox