Dealing With Change

So the transition definitely hasn't been as easy as I would have hoped.

I guess it all took me by surprise. For one reason or another I had expected this to be like an academic vacation. I was going to a country and city that I love, studying fun subjects, and the grades wouldn't go into my GPA. But yet, there are certain aspects that I've found so far that have been more frustrating than exciting.

First there's the food. I miss Commons. Period. I knew that cooking for myself wouldn't be that easy, but it's more than just the food--it's the added stress of deciding what you're going to buy; how you're going to prepare something, and when to do all of that amongst a million other things. Thankfully, I have a microwave, so I'm able to cook double and put a portion aside for later. Yet, my repertoire has proven to be horrendously small and has almost been depleted after the first week.

Then there's the UK academic system. I've sort of grown to like it over the past day--but it definitely takes some getting used to. Normally, students spend far less time in class than in the US--but the remainder of their time is spent reading and preparing for lectures. After the initial shock of having to deal with something new--of feeling like a freshman again--I've realized that it's not all that bad. I don't really think that I'm doing that much more reading here than I would be at Bates, and since I'm rarely in class, I'm able to get it all done during the day and relax during the nights.

The walking is different--and much more frequent than at Bates. It's a 10 minute walk to class; a 20 minute walk to the gym; a 20 minute walk to the train station or any shopping. While this definitely helps keep me healthy, my feet are already blistered.

All of this leads to eventual exhaustion. I'm getting a decent amount of sleep, but I feel like more is needed. Oh, and since we don't have a coffee maker I've taken to drinking black tea in the morning--not the easiest transition in the middle of everything else.

So that's about it. Unfortunately I don't have much of anything exciting to report. It does look like I'll be going to Glasgow next weekend to see Rangers--very exciting. And I've been promised a full-fledged Scottish Friday night coming up, so much more to report on that I'm sure. Until then, cheers mates.