I told you I haven't finished..

Hey there Little Brother (I'm not naming you incase one day you become famous, and I'm sure you will because you're one of the most intellegent people I know so you deserve to be, and someone decides to Google you, comes across this webpage and thinks 'WTF kind of family did he grow up in'?!)

You're going to university tomorrow. Wow. You know, sometimes I think you're older than me (to be fair, so do most people. The nearly-two-foot height difference doesn't help) because of how in control you are. Most of the time though, I think of you as the baby brother I used to drag around nursery. I feel very defensive and protective of you. I know you can throw a punch (scars prove it) but I still have an inherent need to make sure you're okay. Follow my advice:

Don’t be judgemental. Talk to everyone. Spread your wings. You are genuinely one of the funniest people I've ever met in my life and I wish you had the confidence to realise IT'S GOOD to talk and be heard. People want to know what you're thinking! People want to cry with laughter, like I often do.

Ring home everyday. Even if it's only for 5 minutes - let Mum and Dad hear your voice and feel like you haven't outgrown them. Especially now the house is so quiet, with no kids to look after, our duty to them is even more important. And call ME everyday..for 10 minutes. When you're bored waiting to be served in the Asda queue, just ring to fill in the gap. Tell me every mundane detail because I will appreciate, and smile at, it.

Don't take more than £30 on a night out because you'll end up buying more drinks than anticipated - for you or for other people. Don't develop a drinking problem. Always drink less than you can think you can handle but enough to get you merry. Don't be the dickhead who's always wasted and can't handle himself. If someone tries to make you do something you don't want to, defend yourself and tell them to fuck off.

Keep your room clean.

University is about education - remember that. Even if your first year doesn't count, you WILL regret missing lectures when the same topic comes up a year later and you're sitting there baffled. Don't aim to get 40%. If you flop your second year, your tutors will look at your crap first year results and think you deserve it. Always strive for perfection. Saying all of this however..don't live in the library just yet.

Party.

Remember it’s okay to be homesick. Everyone is at some point during university. Just keep yourself occupied and distract yourself. DO NOT MOPE IN YOUR ROOM. I used to phone home every day and cry down the phone to Mum saying I hated university and wanted to come home. I am SO glad I didn’t. It took me 3 weeks to think ‘this place isn’t so bad’ and 4 to love it. Don’t give up hope. IF you do quit uni (which will be highly offensive to me by the way, because you know how much I wanted to go to Leeds), it’s not the end of the world. Mum and Dad will flip out, I’m sure, but if you’re not enjoying yourself then there’s no point forcing yourself through something you’ll probably give up on further down the line. You won’t be happy meaning you won’t work, resulting in shit grades and a ridiculous amount of money spent for 3 wasted years.

Challenge yourself.

When we were in 6th Form all the teachers used to make out like uni was going to be the highlight of your life, it won't get better than those few years. I'm not sure that's the case with every person - but it'll definitely be the period of your life where you realise you aren't what you thought you were, and neither are other people. This can be a good or bad thing. If it's good, go with it. If it's bad, aim to change it. Never settle. Be who you want to be, but still be YOU. Have fun. Be scared but remember 'the nerves will carry you through' (that's an Oades quote).

Oh and make a bloody Facebook profile so I can stalk you.

You'll be okay.

Laya x