Bittersweet – last days of being a student
I started school when I was just 7 years old, without ever having seen the inside of a kindergarten. Last week, I just got the anxiously awaited confirmation for graduation from the examination board – I have done enough to graduate!!
As this forms to be my last article for The Leidener, I thought to leave you with three last points of why Leiden Uni was great – and how to use this on a maximum level. How I feel now, writing this, is indeed that – bittersweet.
With that, I put the last dot on my Master’s degree and my years as a student (well, knowing myself, I’d be asking for more within the week!)
The ride here hasn’t always been smooth. In fact, just the opposite.
Often, I have wondered whether I should quit university and just get a job, as opposed to working and studying.
Yet, there have been days when I absolutely loved what I was doing, and I was leaving the University Library at midnight to come back at 9 the next morning (Okay, 9:15…)
Over the last year, I have shared with you a number of things I thought might help someone out there (I hope they did!)
And so, on my way out and into the “grown-up” world (you don’t have to worry about homework on the weekend when hanging out with friends!! – so grown up, yeah), here is what I thought to leave you with:
1. Enjoy what you have while you can
… even though you might not be enjoying it so much right now.
Time has this magical trait to let you remember only parts of what has passed. And so, I always experience this nostalgic feeling when I think back to my student years – even though, frankly, I could not wait to be done with it half the time.
You might not like the weather in the Netherlands, or the food or something else. The truth is, should you decide to leave – you will miss it! The canals grow on you, and so do some snacks like bitterballen, trust me!
2.Read as much as you can
You might think that you are busy, and that you spend every waking moment doing something.
While I am pretty inclined to agree with you, nothing takes more time than a full-time job. And gives less flexibility on your waking hours during the day.
Of course, there are exceptions and but-s… Nevertheless, read as much as you can.
The Main Library, and all the faculty ones have more literature available than you can finish in a lifetime.
The online databases and magazines to which Leiden Uni gives access are also not to be underestimated. You might take this for granted for now but one day, when the access is no longer, you will feel that pleasant accomplished feeling if you read all you planned.
3.Target useful skills
When I say that, keep in mind I did a Humanities degree, and I absolutely loved it. This does not mean that I got that many proovabl-y transferable skills out of it.
On the side, I have tried to do a number of things that make me happy and also develop certain skills I thought will come in handy – some of them have!
That is a bit of a continuation of point 2 – Leiden Uni organises a number of workshops and events – join them! Networking skills will never be redundant. Same applies for keeping your eyes peeled for future opportunities.
Lastly, thank you for having me around here, and for reading! It has been a pleasure and an honour to share my thoughts with you all. Best of luck and happy studying!!
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About antoaneta@theleidener
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