This is a guest blog by Olivia de Cabral, a 2^nd year BA (Hons) Media Production student. Olivia started her university journey in September 2024.

Moving away from home was very intimidating at first, I’ve lived at home for all of my life and haven’t moved out of the area of London since I was born. I was extremely nervous about moving, I didn’t know anyone else that was going to BU or near to Bournemouth at all so the thought of being alone was very nerve-racking to me. However, these thoughts really didn’t last long at all. I made sure to put myself out there when getting to know my flatmates, course mates and just people in general. This led to me being able to quickly make friendships that have lasted through to this year. Something that I would really like to emphasise to everyone is putting yourself out there, everyone is in the same position as you, everyone wants to make friends, just really try to push your nerves aside, be yourself and put yourself out there. Since being at university, I would say that I’ve come out of my shell a lot more and have become a more outgoing version of myself.

Bournemouth is great, and I have made some amazing memories already that will last a lifetime. More specifically during the Christmas and summer periods. The beach days out, whether it is cold or warm, is something that we all took advantage of last year. Strolls along the beaches, whether by myself to clear my head or with my friends, making the happiest of memories, definitely contributed largely to my first year at university.

The first year of my course was one that was extremely interesting. BA (Hons) Media Production is a course that starts off with variety which was helpful for my first year as I didn’t know what I wanted to go into. All of my lecturers were very helpful and would help me to understand and develop in what I was doing wrong and how I could change them around. This made settling into university more comforting too as it was nice to know that help was there for me when I needed it.

As a whole I would say that my first year of university is a year of my life that I will never forget and it truly couldn’t have been any better than what it was. I am extremely lucky to have made the most amazing memories in my first year and I truly look forward to what’s to come in my following years.

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