MST (mid-semester testimony)

I told myself I’d get to writing a blog as soon as I could, only to be swept off my feet by all the things that made themselves more important than this. Even now, I’m writing from in-between MSTs, assignment due dates, and personal commitments. It feels like high school all over again, but way different. Now, I can really choose what to do with my day. Call it a blessing or a curse; it depends on how much willpower I have to not just play Marvel Rivals all day. It sounds easy to fall into that type of rabbit hole, but when you have true freedom, you begin to build a balance of things you need to do and things you like to do. It’s like allowing yourself to eat sweets every day so you don’t build up the craving and binge a huge amount all at once. If anything, moving away from the rigid timetable of high school has let me realize what I need more than ever.

I moved into Little Hall at the start of February, and today marks 2 months of living alone. I won’t lie – it takes a while to get used to waking up to a quiet house. When I’m doing work, playing games or just scrolling on my phone and I want to go to my mum’s room to annoy her, I remember I’m on my own in a studio apartment. Don’t get me wrong – it’s not a ghost town here – I’ve already made plenty of friends in the building and everyone I’ve met is intelligent and funny. Nothing will replace my family – and I do visit them here and there – but it has been a big change. At least I can set the air conditioner to whatever temperature I like without anyone telling me it’s too cold.

I hope everyone is settling into 2025 well. Whether you’re a first-year like us bloggers, a second, third year or postgraduate student, a future student, a family member, a member of staff, or just someone passing by, I hope your night – or day – is going well. And, to current students, whether it be secondary school or tertiary, good luck with your upcoming assessments.

~ Vi