MY LIFE AS UNIVERSITY STUDENT

Studying at university has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging and transformative stages of my life. This is my fourth year pursuing a university degree, and throughout this time, I have lived away from home. Looking back, I can see how each year has been a unique experience that has helped me grow both academically and personally.

Author: My name is Alberto, I am 21 years old and I am from Oviedo a city from the north of Spain of a community called Asturias, in my opinion, the best part of Spain. With 18 years I move living to Santander, another beautiful city in the north of Spain too.

This is Oviedo, my natural city, and this is Santander, the city where I was living the last 3 years.

When I started university, at Universidad de Cantabria I was full of expectations and nerves. Leaving my home and family was not easy, but I also felt excited about what was to come. The first few months were a whirlwind of emotions: the thrill of meeting new people, the pressure of adapting to a completely different study pace from what I was used to, and the nostalgia of not having my family close by. I remember that during those first weeks, even the simplest tasks, like cooking or doing my laundry, felt like a major challenge.

This is the residence where I was living my first year of university

And this was my first home faculty

Over time, I learned to manage these responsibilities and began to feel more confident. However, not everything was smooth sailing. The first year wasn’t my best academically, as all the changes—being away from my parents for the first time and constantly meeting new people—took up a lot of study time. Additionally, my degree wasn’t what I initially expected, but it was full of discoveries. I made friends who became my second family, and through all the mistakes we made—since we had no one to guide us through the processes our parents usually helped with—I learned that being independent was much more than taking care of myself. It was about learning to make decisions on my own and facing the consequences with maturity.

Throughout the years, I have noticed how much I have changed. Academically, I have gone from being someone who studied just to pass to someone who truly seeks to learn, motivated by a passion for my field. Now, I have study routines that work for me, and I feel more confident in my ability to overcome academic challenges. Personally, living away from home has taught me the value of organization, discipline, and, above all, resilience.

Now, in my fourth year, I feel more prepared and confident. Of course, here in Lublin, I’m back in somewhat of a bubble—making new friends, traveling frequently, and having many new experiences—which seems to push academics to the background. But knowing that this experience happens only once, I don’t let it worry me too much. I have also come to greatly value the relationships I’ve built here. My friends have become a fundamental pillar in my life, and together we’ve faced the highs and lows of this stage.

Reflecting on these four years, I feel proud of how far I’ve come. Living away from home has not only given me an academic education but also a life education. I have learned to know myself better, push past my limits, and value the small things I once took for granted, like a family meal or advice from my parents.

In the future, I know that the lessons and experiences from this stage will accompany me in everything I do. To those who are about to begin this experience, I can only say: seize every moment, even the difficult ones, because they are the ones that teach us the most. These years have been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for every step along the way.