It’s the time of the year, in the run-up to graduation, where every final-year student I know is feeling some level of sentimentality. Although my own time at Newcastle University (hopefully!) isn’t over, with a Masters course around the corner, I still find myself reminiscing on my time spent at Newcastle so far. I know that in just a few months, many of the people I know will be moving away from the city we currently call home. I’ll be changing courses, no longer spending so much of my life tucked away in the Percy Building’s common room, surrounded by books about linguistics. As stereotypical as it sounds, it feels like only yesterday I was hauling boxes of belongings up two flights of stairs in Marris House and awkwardly saying hello to the strangers I’d be living with for the next year (or in my case, three years!).
Everyone graduating this year has had their time at university affected by COVID-19. I know it seems odd to mention the pandemic when I’m supposed to be writing about the highlights of my university experience, but stick with me – it wouldn’t be realistic to talk about my experience without mentioning how we spent our first year in Zoom breakout rooms. Though, to be very clear, Zoom breakout rooms are not amongst my most treasured memories. Instead, I like to think about my first experience of Newcastle once the world had ‘reopened’, to a certain extent. After months of social isolation, with lockdown rules changing week-by-week (remember when pubs shut at 10pm?) and spending countless hours playing Mario Kart with my flatmates, we were finally able to see the city for the first time, in all its glory. On the day shops reopened, my flatmates and I went to Grainger Market for the first time, exploring every stall we could find before sitting under Grey’s Monument to people watch. It was a surreal experience and one that led me to appreciate Newcastle that bit more. The same thing happened in my first in-person lecture, at the start of second year. For the first time, I was able to meet my course mates outside of seeing their faces in Zoom windows. It felt like a delayed Freshers' Week, excitement and nerves bundled into one, despite having passed a year of classes by that point.
In these past three years, I’ve learnt that university is about a lot more than getting a degree, though that’s obviously quite important too. Through the Students’ Union, I have written for Newcastle University’s paper, The Courier, and taken up the role of President for the LGBTQ+ Society we have here. Getting involved in the local community and working alongside other students has been one of the most rewarding, empowering things I’ve ever done – I’ve been able to see my writing in print, host a radio show, run charity events and plan a Summer Ball for a society with 260 members.
The lessons I’ve learned outside of the classroom have been as important to me as the ones that have helped me pass my degree, teaching me things I didn’t know about myself and pushing me to do things I’d have never thought possible just a few years ago.
Bragging about your achievements always feels a bit weird, but every third year should take a moment to pat themselves on the back for the things they’ve managed to do that aren’t just measured by a number on Canvas. Whether you’ve helped run a society, joined a sports team, been to one event or one-hundred, it’s something to take with you in future (and brag about on your CV, obviously).
Of course, what would this blog post be if I didn’t give any appreciation to Newcastle itself? Jesmond Dene, Ouseburn, Quayside, food markets, independent businesses, arts, culture. Newcastle really is a beautiful city that I know I’ll struggle to leave, and there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll be reminiscing about sunny days on campus for years to come. There’s no better feeling than leaving a lecture and seeing countless students sat on the grass by the Old Library Building, or relaxing outside of the Students' Union. The oldest of our University buildings are always beautiful, but the sun – when it finally shows up – makes everything that bit better. I remember at the end of second year, the University organised for ice lollies to be handed out to students taking a break outside the Philip Robinson, with paper cups of Pimms available outside of Luther’s Bar. Sitting outside, watching everyone take a break in the sun and knowing the end of the deadline season was just around the corner is one of my favourite memories from my time here.
Speaking of deadlines season, I obviously have to include my dissertation hand-in as a highlight. Writing my dissertation was undoubtedly one of the most stressful things I’ve ever done. It reached a point where I was dreaming of data analysis, seeing the inside of the Philip Robinson in my sleep which, unsurprisingly, did not make me feel the most well rested. I was lucky enough to press the submission button together with my course mate, after hours spent working together as a source of mutual motivation. After taking a long night's rest, I printed out a copy of my dissertation and did what every Newcastle student does: pose in front of the arches for Instagram pictures. Sending the 10,000 words I’d been working on for months on end into the ether was terrifying, and I’m trying not to think about results yet, but being able to say I’ve done it is something I’m really proud of. I remember being in first year, watching the third-years take their own dissertation pictures even though the university itself was shut. It's still baffling that I’m now in their shoes.
Like I said, there’s so much more I could talk about, but that would be an endless list. I’ll always be grateful for my time as an undergrad at Newcastle – I’ve met so many amazing people, done and seen amazing things, and had a lot of fun, even when times were stressful. Before we all split off and travel to different parts of the country, doing different things, meeting new people, I hope everyone can have a well-deserved break. We’ve made it through a difficult three years, despite all the bumps in the road. I hope everyone gets to enjoy the sun (better late than never) and make the most of what might be their final months living in Newcastle. Give yourselves a pat on the back, celebrate, and have a fantastic time at graduation!