Taking the big leap forward

My name is Kirsty Baldry, I am 20 years old and I come from Portsmouth. I studied three A-levels and got a B for law , a B for performing arts and a D for English. I am now studying law at the University of Central England (UCE) in Birmingham. When I have finished the course I would like to practise as a solicitor.

Going into higher education was a big decision for me. No one in my family had gone to university or attempted anything like that. After college I felt that I did not really want to go, but I applied anyway. Once I got accepted for the course of my choice, I deferred my offer. I started working. All my friends were trying to persuade me to go and my parents were very keen for me to go, but I wasn't sure. During my year out, I went through three or four jobs, never satisfied with the one I had. To all intents and purposes I had forgotten about higher education. Then my deferred offer came though. I realised I wouldn't be happy working in call centres all my life - I needed more, so I decided to go for it.

Preparing to go away was hard. I didn't know what I would need or what I would be doing. Leaving home was scary, but exciting as well. I was looking forward to meeting new friends and, of course, socialising. I remember my first day there very clearly. My parents had driven up with me, along with my three-month-old sister and my best friend. I had brought two cars full of my belongings. All the way up there I was imagining what it would be like, but I wasn't nervous, at least not till we were about 10 minutes away. Then I kept thinking, "What if I don't like it, what if they don't like me?"

My parents helped me bring my stuff into my room and once I was sorted they left. Seeing them off was emotional. My mum started crying as her little girl was leaving home, which made me cry. Once they had left I started unpacking my stuff. Despite bringing two cars full of stuff, I realised I hadn't brought half the stuff I really needed. I even forgot my television. I went into the kitchen and the other people who I was sharing a flat with were in there so I sat down. We were all asking each other questions like, "What's your name, where are you from?" After an hour I began to realise that going to UCE was a good decision, and that I would have lots of fun, as well as doing lots of hard work!

Freshers' week was really good. It's in that week where I made most of my friends. You meet loads of new people all in the same situation as you. I was very lucky because the people I lived with were all very nice and we got along great, but it was still nice to meet new friends. By the end of Freshers' week I was sick of answering questions like, "What's your name, where are you from?" but the whole week was a very enjoyable experience.

Higher education is so different from school and college. You're actually there because you want to be there and you're treated like an adult. You meet so many people from all walks of life and it is a really enjoyable experience. The work is hard, but then I expected that anyway. I enjoy it so much, not only the socialising but my course. I can't imagine myself doing anything else. It was definitely a wise choice.

WHAT I WISH I HAD KNOWN

1. Don't take a car, because you end up being a taxi service for everyone else.

2. Save up plenty of money, especially if you like to go out. Your student loan just about covers a drink after you've taken out rent and food.

3. That I would have been asked so many times "What's your name and where are you from?" I could have had a label made!