In a few months’ time, my life as an undergraduate will be over. No more classes, lectures, essays or homework. It’s the day that I have been working towards for the past years. What has being at university taught me? 1. That I can only rely on myself (and occasionally a phone call from friends) to wake me up in time for class.
2. That one needs to have a considerable amount of garments (over and under) so that laundry-once-a-month-or-longer is possible.
3. No matter how many times I try, I will never do my homework more than one day before it’s due.
4. Warm, cosy beds on cold mornings are evil. E-V-I-L.
5. I can live life without a monthly DVD rental.
6. I cannot live life without chillies.
7. I've learnt how to cook and am actually considering opening a restaurant or café in the far, far future.
8. That taxes are a pain. So what wise words of advice does an old-timer like me have to impart upon the younger generation? Go to those open days and taster sessions in your first year. Get that internship in your penultimate year. Start applying for jobs the moment you start your final year. Deadlines do exist, and this time there are no extensions. Join at least one team sport, and stick to it. Run for any committee posts. Travel while you're not burdened with work. The 9-5-or-more world beckons me. “Come!” they cry sweetly, “Come and slave your life away for us!” they say as they lure me with a decent stable income and extra benefits. I've worked a 9-5 before, so I know what it can be like. Am I looking forward to it? A little. Having something to do everyday, knowing that I'm reaping in all that money, getting to dress up every morning (minus the crisis of what am I going to wear), meeting new people, and living the adult life. I'm older than the average graduate, and so I think it’s time I get out there and get up that ladder. There are certain goals I need to achieve by 28, which doesn't leave me much time to get there. And so I say goodbye to the university, and to this weird weather. Farewell to the campus bars which have fed me (quite) well. I shall miss the smell of old books in the library (just the smell, not the books). Walking on the footway to campus, manoeuvring my way through the slimy green goo, courtesy of the geese. But I will miss York most of all. Mariam | 
