University.

I am currently in my first year of university studying for a BSc in Sociology and I am sick and tired of people thinking it is all fun and games and unprotected sex and a constant hangover, probably like every other bloody student in Britain.  This student culture is not one which I personally have subscribed to, and although many of my friends have told me stories of how 'wrecked' they were during fresher's week, I would be surprised if, in reality, they hadn't spent their first week crying into their Cup'a'Soup and Tesco's own chicken tikka because they missed their mummy.  I know my first week away from home was pretty crap and if I'm being honest, I still hate it.  University definitiely does not live up to my expectations. 


I do, however, live up to one of the key labels we all pin to a students' backpack and that is that I am as poor as hell.  My student loan goes in.. and my university take it straight from me because they let me live on their campus.  They may as well not give it to me at all.  I think the best part is that if I am unable to pay for my accommodation because, oh, I don't know, I actually wanted to eat something that term, then I am forced to pay a 'dishonesty' fee.  If I don't have the bloody money to pay for my accommodation, I sure as hell don't have money to be paying the ridiculous fees they add on either.  The system is still as fucked up as it was in the past.. only the rich seem to be able to make it through this education system unscathed.  The tutition fee rise that we saw recently is also another knife in the back of equality.  I'd say I come from a working class background, if I were asked to define it (which I was in one of my lectures last term) and I kind of don't know whether the long, torturous road to higher education was really worth it.. at least not yet.  Maybe you should ask me after I graduate if I'd do it again.. if you asked me now, I would probably laugh in your face. 


I suppose, really, I shouldn't complain.  I'm one of the 'lucky' ones that managed to get to university BEFORE the tutition fee rise.. I just feel sorry for those who, like me, will struggle to make the journey to higher education and then be slapped in the face with debt.  This whole rant probably doesn't make sense.. ah well.