Introduce yourself
I’m a 19 year old girl called Jasmine (or Jazz for short) that wheels her way through life as I am in a manual wheelchair. I attend the University of St Mark and St John in Plymouth and am currently undertaking a degree in BA Journalism and in my second year of study.
What did you expect before coming to university and did it live up to your expectations?
Before coming to university, I was a little scared and anxious mainly because I was nervous to make new friends and settle in away from home (even though I’m only a 45 minute drive away) but I am a ‘home bird’ and very close to my family, so this seemed daunting to begin with. However, university life definitely lived up to my expectations of lots of drinking, eating a lot of unhealthy foods and spending 85% of your time procrastinating, I love it!
What is your favourite memory from your first year of university?
My favourite memory has to be freshers week, during this time I made a lot of new friends and memories which I definitely will keep forever (cringey I know but true).
Where did you live in first year and tell us about your room?
I lived in halls for my first year and absolutely adored it! The pre-drinks and socials were great and halls seemed to radiate a buzz across the whole campus, which made being away from home a lot easier. My room was reasonably sized and once I’d moved all my belongings in, it began to feel more cosy and homely.
Did you ever pull an all-nighter to finish an assignment, if so how was it for you?
So far I have never pulled an all-nighter to finish an assignment (I’m not lying, I promise), although I haven’t embarked upon my third year yet and the dreaded dissertation, so who knows…there’s a first for everything I suppose!
What’s the one thing you couldn’t live without during first year?
The one thing I couldn’t live without during first year probably would be Netflix. Not only because it was my go to thing when procrastination struck, but also there was (still is) nothing better than hopping into bed, putting on a movie or series and getting all curled up and snuggly!
What is your favourite memory from your second year of university?
It is hard to think of a favourite memory for second year but I would say that freshers ball was a good night in our student bar and both me and my friends had a lot laughs….and vodka, but we won’t talk about that.
What do you prefer halls or house and why?
Halls were fab, purely because you were in the heart and soul of all social events happening around campus, however I feel now i’m in my second year, being in a student flat suits me better as the work load is harder and actually begins to count towards my degree. I can’t choose one I prefer, because I love them both for different reasons.
If you could change anything from first/second/third year what would it be and why?
If I changed anything, it would definitely be working a little harder during first year, perhaps saying yes to a few more waters and no to a lot more vodkas, however that year I made the greatest memories and still passed to carry on to my second year, so I have no regrets about how much vodka I consumed, well apart from the time I broke my femur…but again, we won’t talk about that.
Did/do you have to do a dissertation – if so what on and if not what do you do instead?
I have to do a dissertation and it can be on anything we wish to write or produce. At this current moment in time, I don’t have a clue what mine is going to be on but I’m hoping it’ll come to me…
Friends you’re glad you met at university?
Everybody at my university are friendly, kind and we are all basically one big community, throughout my journey so far I have definitely made friends I will keep forever and that will be friends for life. However, you always have special bonds with specific people and for me those people are Anna, Steph and Jack, I live with them now and they’re amazing (don’t tell them I said that though).
What advice would you give to your younger self before coming to university?
If I could have given myself any advice it would be to explore, believe in yourself and don’t take any opportunity for granted. These are three things that I am trying to change and adhere to right now and I think I’m getting there, just about!
