Dear my lovely readers,

I hope you are all well, and excited for the holiday period.

As I was writing this, I was on the train from Loughborough back to London. I came back to join my friends in the Graduation ceremony on Monday, 19th December. What a wonderful and memorable day!

The moment I stepped down from the train platform at Loughborough Station, all memories started flooding back to me. I got this giddily feeling and chuckled at myself. Four years ago, I came here to start my little journey. It seemed like yesterday. I remember my excitement while wandering around town centre, asking a student on the campus where is James France building, sitting in the inductions for first years, getting to know my flatmates in the Butler Court hall.

I remember the morning weekends walking to my part time job in town centre at 5am when the only person I saw was the guy who drives the street sweeper; the late nights staying up to finish my coursework; the study coffee sessions that just turn into endless chats, and the last-minute running to make my submission deadlines.

I remember the awesome days spending with my housemates debating about anything and everything, the evenings spent watching movies and the mornings feeling groggy that we did not go to bed early.

Every little detail came back to me and my chest tightened as I watched the clips of what other graduates say about Loughborough University. If they can choose a word to describe it, what would it be? ‘Amazing’, ‘inspiring’, ‘energetic’, ‘innovative’ and so many more.

To me it is future-shaping, fast changing and community. I agree with everything the graduates said about Loughborough and so much more.

Here, I learnt to thrive, to try new things and to put myself out there. I learnt about my own comfort zone and understanding my limitations. Here I found my friends – my secondary family far away from where I am from. It is the best thing about Loughborough – the community.

At some point in this blog, you might think ‘what a load of sobbing mess!’ Or ‘so cliché!’. But it is true. It is all true, what they said, especially about how fast time flew by.

There were points where I though this day is so far away, that I dread finishing up my exams and done with my degree already. But now it is here, I feel nostalgic and longing to make this experience last. I am proud to be able to complete my education in Loughborough with a distinction this year. It has been an emotional and remarkable journey!

I hope that every single one of you, my readers, will find your university experience as exhilarating and fulfilling as mine.

As much as it pains me to say, it is true that I do not remember the days staying in, being boring or too lazy to go to a volunteering/ society/ sports event (even though sometimes a me-day is the best). I remember the days that was incredibly hard, challenging, and exhausting.  So, make sure you do something that you will remember too!

Here is where I will leave you as this shall be my last blog post.

I am very excited for the future as I will be visiting my family and friends back in Vietnam very soon. I have the options to take a short break (like a mini gap year you might say) before going into a law conversion degree to become a solicitor, or to take on a postgraduate research project in the UK on a later date. I also do not rule out the chance that I will move to another country where I find the opportunity to grow and be the best version of myself.

There is much uncertainty, but there is one thing that I am very certain at this moment, that I am a Loughborough graduate and alumni, and I am so proud of it. I do not know what will happen, but I am sure that my experience here which shapes me to become who I am today, will make me not shy away from changes and embrace the opportunities.

I wish you best of luck with your education and your inspirations.

Have a happy holiday with your friends and family! And as I always say, until next time,

Take care,

Kelsie

P/s: I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate this blog to my family, my closest friends (you know who you are guys) and all their patience and warmest support. Thank you so very much!