If you’d asked me a few years ago where I’d envisioned living for university, I would have said London straight away.
Even though I’m from Spain, a lot of the family on my mom’s side studied in London. Being a student at King’s College London felt like continuing the family tradition. So, I applied for a Business degree that was broad, open and flexible enough to give me time to figure things out.
The only issue? I didn’t get in.
At the time, this rejection felt like the worst thing ever. So many people I knew from my school were moving to London, and I really imagined myself alongside them. Luckily, I had also applied to Warwick as a back-up option without even realising that the Warwick Business School was actually more highly regarded.
Looking back now, I can’t help but think it was probably destiny that I didn’t get into KCL.
First Year: Outside My Comfort Zone
Starting at Warwick was exciting, but it was also a bit lonely at first. It wasn’t the London I was familiar with, and most people I knew were in a completely different city living the life I had pictured for myself.
I did have one good friend moving to Warwick too, which I was really grateful for. However, we didn’t actually live together in the first year, so I couldn’t rely on the comfort of having them around all the time.
That meant I had to put myself out there properly.
I went to events I wouldn’t usually go to, joined societies, and started conversations with people I didn’t know, even when it felt slightly awkward. Yes, I made friends and had some great moments, but I didn’t feel like I’d found “my people”.
Although that period of my life had its challenges, it’s really shaped me into the person I am today. It taught me how to be independent and push myself out of my comfort zone. It also really helped me stay on top of my work, which helped a lot. By the time second year came round, I felt more prepared and grounded than I would have been otherwise.
Second Year: Finding My Place
Second year is where everything really shifted for me.
A couple of friends suggested we check out Vita Student. To be totally honest, it wasn’t my original plan. Warwick students typically move out to Leamington Spa, so staying in student accommodation again wasn’t something I had really thought about.
But the moment I visited Vita, I completely fell in love with it.
It has everything in one place: the study rooms, the gym, the events, and the overall atmosphere. I can honestly say moving to Cannon Park was one of the best decisions I made at university.
Staying in student accommodation gave me the chance to meet loads of new people without feeling like I was limited to one friendship group. If I had moved to Leamington, I probably would have lived with friends and stayed mainly within that circle, but at Vita I met people from different courses, backgrounds and countries. Those friendships became a big part of my uni life.
Being at Cannon Park also made day-to-day life easier. Campus was only a 10-minute walk instead of a 30-minute bus ride, and having the building’s study spaces just downstairs was a game changer for me.
On campus, you’re always running into people, which is fun, but at Vita I could actually focus and think clearly. That helped so much when I was preparing for interviews and trying to plan my future.
Third Year: Milan And Realising What Works For Me
In third year, I went abroad to Milan as part of my International Management degree and had the best time. It was a completely different environment that pushed me in new ways.
I stayed in student accommodation there, too, which made me realise how much I value that style of living, especially when you’re somewhere new. It makes meeting people so much easier and it creates a social life naturally.
Living abroad gave me even more perspective and confidence, and I came back feeling like I’d grown up in a way that’s hard to explain until you experience it.
Final Year: Coming Back To Vita And Feeling At Home
Now I’m in my final year, coming back to Vita felt so familiar in the best way. My closest friends are here, and it’s honestly just as good as the first time I lived here, if not better. It really does feel like a home away from home at this point, and I’m so happy I get to spend my final year here.
Even though I didn’t end up studying in London like I originally planned, I’m still moving there after graduation, with a job already lined up.
It’s funny how life works out. Not always how you plan it, but somehow still exactly right.
