Bills, Burnout and Balance.

Here’s the sequel to my previous blog, ‘Degrees, decisions, and dreams.’ If you haven’t already (which you should have done, kindly go and read that blog; thank you). I dug deep into my university and post-university lives. I discussed my career choice testimony, hardships navigating the corporate world, and maintaining faith despite the setbacks encountered.

Nonetheless, hey loves!

Di presha is still getting worsa, but my courage and strength are still there! I’m steadily ploughing through and it’s going brilliantly. We keep going and we don’t stop! Yes, this also applies to you – keep going and don’t stop.

I saw this Tiktok and admired the babe’s resilience 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 This is EXACTLY what I was emphasising in my previous blog:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdeEEYhn/

As much as I’m elated to be closing this chapter of university, I’m equally devastated. And I don’t mean just a little sad - I mean sliding down my bedroom wall with tears in my eyes kind of devastated. I don’t feel fully ready to go out and start paying big people bills, doing BIG people activities and the whole lot. Why was my African dad explaining to me how to bargain with car insurance companies the other day?????? DAD PLIZZZZZ I AM JUST A GIRL. It’s even him who will bargain and argue with the insurance people to get me the lowest quote, abeg abeg. Oh and I hope he'll pay too. I’m not involved with that one ooo.

The thought of spending like a big person is just terrifying, and no more SFE? Now, I’ve got to pay that back?

Yeah bye.

You see, university has been a transformative experience; one I’ll always cherish and thank Him for. Getting into it was once a prayer point (and I did that), getting into my dream uni was another (Oh I SECURED that). I’ve come so far from the ambitious 17-year-old who submitted that UCAS application, and now, I’m stepping into one of the most pivotal moments of my life.

The laborious workload of uni has often left me questioning whether I’m even capable of being a useful student, thanks to the endless trials and tribulations I’ve faced. There’ve been many times when uni has switched to university with the click of a finger. Talk about the sleepless nights where you're jugging at your desk like your life depends on this assignment. Or calculating how much you need to score to get a 2:1 in your remaining modules.

Boiii it's been tough.

It's been rough.

Some of my lecturers have felt like my biggest opps when marking my assignments, while others? I’d happily spoil them with a luxury bouquet from Appleyard. My mentor and personal tutor have carried me through these past two years, so maybe I actually should start scraping my coins to give them Appleyard.

Headbanga.

These highs and lows define the university experience. Despite the academic rollercoaster, university life has been nothing short of an exquisite exhaustion - draining yet deeply rewarding.

I hold education in high regard and believe it’s a privilege many take for granted. Is the system perfect? Absolutely not. But given today’s generation and the way institutions operate, I can somewhat understand why. At the end of the day, appreciation for education is subjective - some embrace it, others don’t.

Personally, I believe my university experience has pushed me to become more curious. I’ve explored various career paths, attended countless events, and stepped out of my comfort zone to explore the grey areas. I’ve connected with people from all walks of life, listening to their stories and gaining insights into their purpose and work. I’ve met incredible people, met some proper weirdos too, yuck. I’ve visited iconic attractions, discovered hidden hot spots, and embraced the vibrant beauty of London. Pushing beyond my limits has also helped me enhance my skills, and through it all, I’ve discovered my superpower - writing! I’ve built an amazing social life; one I don’t think I could’ve cultivated anywhere else. Being a university student in London has truly been a privilege and a blessing. In essence, I’ve made unforgettable memories and left my mark… Just Jenni.

That’s exactly what I wanted from London.

As a northerner, people question me all the time “Why London specifically for uni?”. Because it’s a lit city, duhhhh. WAKE UP?????

Having visited other uni cities, I can’t lie, Loughborough caught my eye, and I enjoyed its serenity.

I’ve also found serenity in forms of some of my friendships that I created whilst at uni. As a francophone girlie, I befriended two my franco sisters, Naomi and Bliss which was a sheer blessing. I can UNAPOLOGETICALLY be myself around them and they’ll just gerritttt. Whenever we’re together, we’re cackling, having a time, bussin' jokes and speaking French.

Oui oui and dem tings dere✊🏾

As a proud Cameroonian, I fell to my knees when I found out that Bliss was also Cameroonian.

#237 to da world and back 🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲 

And when I say fell - I mean literally. I’m pretty sure we screamed, danced around like maniacs, and then collapsed to the floor in pure excitement. We were GASSEDDDDDD. It’s like Cameroonians are a rare species in London.

Okay, fine, maybe that’s a drag- I do know a fair few. But let’s be real: Congolese people dominate the Francophone community here, and sometimes it feels like people forget that other African Francophone countries exist. There's more to waistline waistline waistline and dancing to Karolina by Awilo Longomba, although that's a class tune icl. Speaking of, franco music goes beyond just '1er Gaou', 'Coup du marteau' and flipping 'Ramenez la coupe à la maison'. That's all people seem to know. Guysss if I showed you my francophone music playlist, chai😮‍💨 That one is SERIOUS!!!

I digress.

Here’s a little refresher of African Francophone countries:

Cameroon (of course😌), Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Djibouti, Burundi, Rwanda, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Seychelles, Congo Brazzaville, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Very diverse right?

Justice for Congo as well🇨🇩✊🏾 In case you weren’t aware, the country is being exploited and is facing a horrific genocide. The suffering is unimaginable. May God heal those who have endured and continue to endure.

Now, let me tell you about Naomi - she’s Togolese, and she’s shared so many fascinating aspects of her culture with me. One thing that really stood out was the language she speaks aside from French, Ewe (and you guys know I’m a linguist, so I’m all about this kind of stuff). Ewe is a tonal language, predominantly spoken in Ghana, Togo, and small parts of West Benin. It has a culturally rich heritage, vibrant music, and expressive proverbs too.

Check out these two beautiful ladies' videos to get a feel for the beauty of the Ewe language:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdf5YTnP/

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdf58tum/ 

Nonetheless, I LOVE having my two francophone sisters with me, they’ve shaped my uni experience tremendously. They’ve got the friend approval from my mum AND dad. So they’re even family at this point. Those two are amazing, absolutely love them. 

Another sisterhood I’ve formed during uni that I’m equally passionate about is with my fellow Nigerian, Deborah. If you don’t have a Nigerian bestie...pele!

Nigerians are hilarious. You've gotta love 'em, man. I'll be up at 3 in the morning seeing Nollywood memes and snippets on my FYP, and I’m in stitches to the point where my flatmates probably think I’ve lost it. Deborah's half Nigerian but also a quarter Trinidadian and quarter Cuban. We share so many similarities in our attitudes, beliefs, and habits, which highlight the connections between Naij and Cameroon. After all, the two countries are neighbours, and you could say Cameroon is like Nigeria, but in French form!

Deb and I are super alike, and having lived together for three years, it’s been excellent.

At this point, she switches between Yoruba, Igbo, Pidgin English, Patois and Spanish when speaking to me, while I speak to her in French too sometimes. We mix and match, blending our languages seamlessly.

Whenever one of us needs something, we’ve got each other’s backs, and everything just works like a dream. We'll sit together, eat jollof together, yap together, and do the whole lot.

Forming lifelong and fruitful friendships has been a key part of finding myself. Your company truly matters, so make sure you surround yourself with good people! She also has the stamp of approval from my parents!👏🏾

It’s almost surreal to think that my time at university is rapidly coming to an end, and soon, I’ll be stepping into the vast, unpredictable world beyond. What’s even wilder is that I once dreamed of becoming a cardiovascular doctor, fully set on a career in medicine. Now, I’m a creative and corporate powerhouse in the making, and honestly, I can’t even look at STEM without feeling nauseous. You med, pharmacy and nursing students are lucky that you receive a job instantly though. But it’s the placement I know I wouldn’t be able to hack. Not being able to wear acrylics???

Peace out.

As I approach the end of this chapter, I know I’ll miss the university environment and all the comfort it provided, the sense of safety and belonging that has shaped who I am. Uni has truly moulded me into Jenni - it’s taught me to seize every opportunity, study both smart and hard, and that resilience is not just a quality but a virtue.

Thank you, God.

On a separate note, one of the things I’ve truly adored about being in London is the sheer luxury of having access to an abundance of beauty service providers. As someone who loves to be pampered, I’m all about that life. I don’t play - I’m a full-on diva! My friends know I’m never without a creative set of acrylics, always sporting funky designs. I just love it. I can change my hair whenever I want (I changed it twice last month). This level of freedom is perfect. For me, as a Black woman, living in a multifaceted city like London has been incredibly beneficial for my well-being. It’s an essential aspect of my uni experience that I truly cherish!

Maintaining your wellbeing is crucial 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 If you ever find yourself struggling, it’s ok. You’re not alone, and it’s so important to reach out for support - whether it’s from friends, family, or a health professional. We’ve all been there, facing our own battles. Trust me, I’ve been through my own storms, and while it hasn’t been easy, I’ve emerged stronger. Above all, protecting your peace of mind is essential. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I turn to simple practices like colouring or mindfulness exercises to regain my balance. It’s all about finding what works for you and knowing that you’re not in this fight by yourself.

Here's the link to the colouring book I use: https://amzn.eu/d/1mWeHDy

Mindfulness app for iPhone and Android: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/balance-meditation-sleep/id1361356590

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elevatelabs.geonosis&pcampaignid=web_share

University, you’ve been one unforgettable experience. While I’m excited to close the academic chapter, I can’t help but want to hold on to the societies and the incredible events that have come with it. Soon, I won’t be showered with these experiences anymore. As the Editorial and Content Officer for the Black Creatives Society at my uni, I know I’ll miss being part of the committee, managing the Instagram, and creating engaging posts.

It’s been phenomenal, I’ve learnt so much and continue to grow daily. The person I am now won't be the same in a year. We’re constantly evolving, and that’s the true beauty of life.

Keep striving. Keep pushing. As mentioned in my previous blog:

Trust the process, continue turning the pages, and let your story unfold at its own pace.

With love and curiosity,

Just Jenni