UoB 125: A letter to my future self
Written by Student Content Shaper Alice
Dear future me,
It’s 6:43pm on Monday 3 February 2025. Chappell Roan won best new artist in the Grammys last night, Season Three of the Traitors has just come to a nail-biting end, and I’m two weeks into Semester Two of my second year studying Digital Media and Communications, but more importantly, at the time of writing this, UoB is officially 125 years old!
To celebrate, they’ve installed new lights around Old Joe that light up the whole tower in different colours each night and he looks absolutely stunning! Despite it being such a big birthday, UoB is still as youthful and vibrant as ever, especially amidst its 2045 Campus vision. I’d love to be in your position right now looking back at all that’s changed.
I spent today at the Main Library in my favourite spot (one of the second-floor window seats overlooking campus – perfect for people watching). I decided to treat myself to a strawberry milkshake and a piece of Victoria sponge cake afterwards from the Bramall Building café because they’re my all-time favourite (and affordable!) sweet treats on campus.
When I’m not in the library, I spend most of my time in the Mason Lounge and the Frankland Building common room since most of my lectures are nearby, although I’ve had some lectures in the Old Gym recently and have fallen in love with the lounge chairs in the corridor. I love walking in to see people sitting cross legged with blankets draped over their laps and a packet of biscuits at the ready. Chocolate Digestives and Oreos seem to be everyone’s go-to study snack at the moment and I can’t say I blame them.
Whilst I’m quite partial to a cosy study session with a packet of biscuits and a blanket, I’m excited for spring to take over soon. I think everyone is getting a bit fed up with the short, rainy days we’re currently having. Campus looks so gorgeous in spring with the cherry blossom trees and crocuses around Aston Webb and before long, it will be the summer term! Whilst exam season isn’t anyone’s favourite time, I love how the sun turns campus into such a positive space with people sitting on the grass studying, chatting and reading in their sunglasses, bucket hats and long skirts. The energy is so uplifting. I hope, no matter how much time passes, even when UoB is celebrating its 200-year anniversary, that everyone still gravitates towards the Green Heart in the summer term with an iced latte in hand.
Speaking of gravitating towards campus, there’s another Artisan Market on campus tomorrow and I can’t wait to have a browse. It’s a new initiative that UoB have started this academic year to support local craftspeople and it’s so lovely seeing all of the stands and chatting with the stall holders. No doubt I’ll walk away with a bag of chocolatey baked goods and a new candle holder that I definitely don’t need.
It's crazy to think that I’m already halfway through university. It feels like yesterday that I was deciding to study here because of how much I loved the look of the course and the campus, and now it feels like home. I wonder what you’re up to now – no doubt missing the Alton Road pizza evenings and kitchen karaoke sessions with our lovely housemates.
I hope that, at the very least, you’re having fun. I know you want to pursue something that combines your love for arts with helping people so I hope you’re finding a way to make that a reality. More than anything, I hope you’re still as happy and adventurous as you were during your time here at UoB.
Lots of love,
You from the past (21-year-old Alice) x