Week 3: The Ties That Bind Us

This heatwave is genuinely going to be the end of me. No, seriously, I currently feel like a melted ice lolly, and at this point, all I want is unlimited access to a cold slush 24/7.

But despite slowly turning into a puddle, we've officially made it to week 3 of this blogging journey, which I think deserves a small celebration. I'm still showing up, so I'd call that a success!

This week brings plenty of interesting things to talk about, alongside the usual collection of random thoughts and questionable observations that seem to find their way into every blog post.

The Importance of Having Somewhere to Ramble:

Since I was little, I’ve always found it quite hard to explain and share my own experiences. On the outside, I’ve usually looked like a confident head girl, school council, team captain in primary school, prefect in high school, and now a student rep at university (yes, I know, total nerd alert). So, from the outside, I probably come across as quite outgoing and put together.

But the truth is, it doesn’t always feel like that. A lot of the time, I’ve been quietly panicking, overthinking, or internally trying not to scream while still managing to smile on the outside. The people closest to me know this side of me, but a lot of what I share on this blog is where I get to show more of my real thoughts and personality.

I can be shy around new people (and trust me, I’ve had some very awkward first encounters). Still, I’m really glad to have this blog as a space where I can just be myself, my bubbly personality, random thoughts, and, of course, my very serious Pusheen obsession included.

That was one of the main reasons I decided to start this blog in the first place. It was simply a chance for me to be more true to myself and have a space where I can ramble about all sorts of topics without overthinking it too much.

No pressure, no expectations, just me, my thoughts, and whatever I feel like sharing that week.

How I Chose My University (And Why I Have No Regrets):

Many people finish college unsure about whether university is the right path for them. It's a big decision, and one that can feel quite overwhelming when everyone around you seems to have a different opinion.

Over the past year, I've had the opportunity to help out at open days and offer holder days at my university, and one of the most common questions I'm asked is, 'What's your experience been like?' After three years of studying, surviving statistics, navigating train delays, and drinking more fizzy drinks than I'd like to admit (although my friend will always make sure I know as she sends me another reminder to keep drinking water), I feel like I can finally give an honest answer.

I thought I'd use this blog to give my official verdict on university, what I've learned along the way, and whether I think it really matters where you choose to study.

When I was choosing the right university for me, I didn't really have much insight into what university life would actually be like. I had no idea how it worked, what to expect, or what I was really looking for. The only thing I knew for certain was that I needed to investigate the important stuff, such as how good the food and snacks were going to be (because let's be honest, a girl's got to have her favourites).

At the time, everyone seemed to be talking about league tables, rankings, and graduate prospects, while I was more interested in finding somewhere that felt welcoming and supportive. I wanted a university that felt like a community, not just a place where thousands of students happened to study.

The first university tour I went on was absolutely terrifying. It was a huge university in the middle of a busy city, with massive buildings, crowds of people everywhere, and enough students to fill a small country. Within about ten minutes, I knew it wasn't for me. In fact, I was fairly convinced that the paving stones fitted in better than I did.

Don't get me wrong, it was a great university. It just wasn't my university. And I think that's something people often forget when choosing where to study. The 'best' university on paper isn't always the best university for you. It's all about understanding your needs and what you will be comfortable with.

On my second university tour, I knew within about three minutes that this was the university for me. It was smaller, beautiful, and most importantly, filled with ducks and even a campus cat, so naturally, it had already scored some major points.

Joking aside, there was just something about it that felt right. It wasn't overwhelming, it wasn't intimidating, and for the first time, I could actually picture myself studying there. The campus felt welcoming, the atmosphere felt friendly, and I instantly felt comfortable.

Sometimes people spend months comparing rankings, course statistics, and graduate prospects, but for me, it came down to a simple feeling: it felt like somewhere I belonged. And looking back now, I think that feeling was one of the best indicators I could have asked for.

So my biggest piece of advice is this: visit as many universities as you can and trust your instincts.

Choose a university that feels right for you, both physically and mentally. Don't pick somewhere just because your friends are going there, because it's the most convenient option, or because everyone keeps telling you it's the 'best university in the country.'

The truth is, the best university on paper isn't always the best university for you.

For me, the smaller university with ducks, a campus cat, and a friendly atmosphere was worth far more than a university with a bigger name that never truly felt like home. And trust me, I did receive offers from those bigger universities, but I knew they just weren't the right fit for me.

Three years later, I can honestly say I made the right choice. The university that looked best on paper wasn't the one where I felt I would thrive, and sometimes choosing what feels right for you. Even as I explore my postgraduate opportunities, I am still following this advice.

The Pressure to Have It All Figured Out:

I think at some point in life, we've all been asked the same questions: 'So, what do you want to do in the future?' 'Is this your long-term career plan?' 'What's next after that?'

And while I understand people are usually just curious, sometimes it feels like we're expected to have our entire lives planned out before we've even figured out what we're having for dinner (at which point I'm still working out what I have in my fridge).

Whatever happened to taking life one step at a time?

There seems to be so much pressure to have a five-year plan, a ten-year plan, and a backup plan for the backup plan. But the truth is, life doesn't always work like that. People's interests change, opportunities appear unexpectedly, and sometimes the path you end up taking is completely different from the one you originally imagined.

If you'd asked me a few years ago where I'd be now, I probably wouldn't have said psychology student, blogger, and proud owner of far too many plushies. Yet here we are.

Believe it or not, I still have my high school yearbook. Now and then, I look through it, and the opening page makes me cringe every single time. In it, I confidently wrote that my dream job was to become a nurse.

And at the time, I genuinely believed that. But as I got older, learned more about myself, and experienced different things, I realised my interests had changed. The path that felt right for me at 16 wasn't necessarily the path that felt right for me at 21.

I think that's something we don't talk about enough. It's okay for your goals to change. It's okay to realise that the dream you had when you were younger no longer fits the person you've become.

Looking back now, I'm grateful for every step of the journey because it helped me discover what I truly enjoy. And while younger Aisha might be slightly confused by the psychology degree, blog posts, and ever-growing personality, I think she'd be happy knowing that I've found something that makes me genuinely happy and excited.

So take your time figuring out what you want to do in life. If that means trying lots of new things, moving somewhere new, changing direction, or facing the fear of failure, that's completely okay. Life is not a race, and there's no prize for figuring everything out first. Sometimes the best things happen when you give yourself the time and freedom to discover who you are and what truly makes you happy.

Weekly Funny Moment Of The Week:

Okay, so we start this story at the beginning of the weekend, which already sets a pretty good vibe. It kicks off on Friday night when my amazing brother (shoutout to him) treats our group to matcha and drinks from our favourite place.

We place our order, go to collect everything, and I somehow end up carrying six delicious drinks in those little cup holders because, unfortunately, I am not an octopus and do not have the required number of arms for this kind of mission.

I get into the car, fully equipped with my drink-balancing skills, and we head off to our destination.

When we arrive, I see it, one of the cutest cats I have ever seen in my life. Naturally, my priorities immediately shift. However, I am still holding six drinks, so there is a small moment of internal conflict between responsibility and cat admiration (like I need to pet it).

My brother gets out of the car, I hand him the drinks (his new official job title for the next five minutes), and I immediately go over to meet the cat.

I start petting it, completely distracted, and then, of course, it starts following me. At this point, I am fully in awe, completely ignoring the drinks and living my best life.

Eventually, reality calls me back, I return to my drinks, and the moment of pure cat appreciation comes to an end, but I shall return!

Aisha’s Tiny but Mighty Weekly Advice Section: Being Yourself

This week, I want to talk about something that I think all of us can benefit from, no matter what stage of life we're in. Whether you're a student just starting to chase your dreams, someone figuring out their next steps, or an adult building a career, the message is the same: be yourself.

It sounds simple, but it can actually be one of the hardest things to do. We’re constantly surrounded by expectations, opinions, trends, and people telling us who we should be. But if we spend our whole lives trying to follow what everyone else expects from us, we might end up becoming someone we don’t truly recognise.

Deep down, most of us know when something doesn’t feel right. We might be doing what looks good on paper, but if it doesn’t make us happy or feel like ourselves, then is it really the right path?

Being yourself doesn’t mean you have everything figured out. It just means being honest about who you are, what matters to you, and what makes you happy, even if it’s a little different from everyone else.

There will always be people in life who may not understand or support your choices, but at the end of the day, you have to prioritise your own happiness.

For example, I have a very strong obsession with plushies (some might say I have a small collection; I would say I have a very carefully organised group of adorable friends). A lot of the time, people question my maturity because of it. I’ve heard the classic 'you’re an adult, not a child' speech more than once.

But honestly? They make me happy. They bring me comfort, they make me smile, and they’re not hurting anyone. So why should I stop enjoying something just because someone else doesn’t understand it?

Growing up doesn’t mean you have to remove every fun part of yourself. Sometimes the things that make us feel like ourselves are the exact things we should hold onto.

Finally, being yourself is such an important part of society. If everyone were the same, imagine how boring the world would be. There would be no different personalities, no unique ideas, and no interesting conversations.

Honestly, I think the world could only handle one version of me anyway and even that might be pushing it. One person with a cat obsession, too many plushies, random thoughts, and a tendency to overthink everything is probably enough.

Our differences are what make life interesting. The things that make us 'different' are often the things that make us memorable, so we should never feel like we have to hide them.

End Of Blog Sign-Off:

Well, I hope you've made it to the end of this blog with a nice cold drink in hand because, honestly, in this weather, it's practically a survival requirement.

The good news is that Race Week has finally returned! My completely unbiased and definitely not unrealistic wish is for a Ferrari double podium this weekend (which means I've almost certainly just jinxed it, but we're choosing optimism).

If you're planning to enjoy the sunshine at the beach, in a park, or anywhere outdoors, please stay hydrated, wear your sunscreen, and be wary of those pesky seagulls. One minute you're enjoying your snacks, and the next you're starring in a nature documentary you never agreed to participate in.

Most importantly, I hope you all have a happy, relaxing, and fun-filled weekend, whatever you get up to.

Until next week,

Aisha.