A letter to first year me: Abbey

Posted on: 11 June 2025 by Richard Finch in Student experiences

Abbey is a Class of 2025 Geography graduate. She looks back at her time at the University of Liverpool and thinks about what she would tell her first-year self.

Dear First-Year Me,

You spent the summer before university hoping more than anything that you’d get into Liverpool. After everything A-Levels put you through, finding out you'd made it felt surreal. You cried with happiness, and that day became one of your core memories. You were proud, and you had every reason to be. It marked the start of something big, even if the road ahead wouldn’t always feel easy.

When you arrived in Liverpool, you quickly fell in love with the city, but you also felt lost. There were days you cried and called home more times than you could count. You didn’t feel like the typical first-year student out socialising every night, and that’s okay. You found comfort in your family, in your boyfriend’s support, and in the kindness of a few early friends who helped you get through. First year wasn’t what you expected, but please believe me, it gets better.

In second year, things began to shift. You found your people, friends who made you laugh until you cried, including one who would become your best friend for life. You felt more like yourself again. The workload got heavier, so heavy that you nearly walked away from university altogether. But you didn’t. Something inside of you held on, and I’m endlessly proud of you for that. Because soon after, you experienced one of the most transformative moments of your degree.

That summer, thanks to the support from the University of Liverpool, you travelled to Fiji to volunteer on a youth empowerment project with Think Pacific. It challenged and inspired you in ways you couldn’t have imagined. You made even more lifelong friends, and the experience reminded you of your purpose and your strength. You came home changed in the best way.

Then came third year, the hardest yet. Your dissertation pushed you more than any academic task before, but finishing it brought you such a deep sense of pride. You also took a massive leap and became a Career Coach – something that you nearly didn’t go for, but you’re so grateful that you did! That role turned out to be one of the most rewarding parts of your university journey. You helped other students find their paths, gained valuable knowledge for your own future career, grew your confidence so much, and worked alongside incredible colleagues who brought out the best in you.

You’ve come so far from the anxious, unsure girl who started this journey. You’re stronger now, more confident, and more certain of who you are and what you want. And while it hasn’t always been the easiest journey, every challenge over the past three years has led you to something meaningful. You’ve built friendships, found your voice, and created memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.

You made it, and I’m so proud of the person you’ve become.

With love, Abbey