Hello everyone! Welcome to the 2024/25 year’s final issue of Concrete, for the last time with me as Aunt Glia, your resident Agony Aunt!
I’m not crying … are you?
Moving on in life is such a bittersweet process, unless you’re super excited to move on from where you are, but usually you leave behind lots of memories. However, it’s important to spend time looking forward. Many of us will be graduating, shifting years or moving from houses we’ve loved, and the unknown can feel quite scary. I’m graduating in a few months, and I too am nervous, what does my life look like after UEA? Please don’t actually ask me this question because, like most of us, I’m trying not to think about it – that is a future-me problem!
But, as much as denial is my best friend right now, I should probably give you some more healthy ways of coping with uncertainty. So, this is my (and the NHS’) two pennies on the matter.
First, take stock of how you’re feeling. Spend some time with these emotions, even if they’re uncomfortable. You might find that hiding underneath all those louder emotions of worry, stress, fear and anxiety that some excitement is bubbling – find it and hold onto it. Focus on what you’re excited for and not what you’re scared of!
Second, do what’s comfortable – if you’ve moved to a new city, you might be overwhelmed going and exploring right away, and that’s fine! If you’re starting a new job, you might not be up for all the outside-of-work gatherings in your first week. Take your time and move at a pace that is suitable for you. Once you’re more settled, you’ll be exploring in no time!
Finally, give yourself some credit! Think about the past and times you’ve overcome a stressful or unknown situation. You CAN do it, because you’ve done it before. Have faith in yourself, be kind to yourself and give yourself the time you need to adjust, and you’ll feel settled soon enough.
Okay, so as this is my last Anne Glia article, and being the comedic genius I am, I wanted to look at some of “Anne Glia’s Unanswered Questions.” I want to preface, this is all in good fun, but while we’ve had some great questions over this year, I’ve not been without my fair share of trolls. In honour of my tenure as Auntie G coming to an end, let’s look at some of the questions I have been asked but didn’t include in any of my articles – and frankly, you’ll see why.
“Aunt Glia, Last week I went to an event because they offered free snacks, but I think I might have accidentally joined a cult. How can I politely leave without offending the leader?”
- Ah, the downfall of every student: free food. Now, I’m sure you’re joking but on the off chance you’re not… tell them your mum said you’re not allowed to join a cult, and I don’t know, don’t drink the free Kool-Aid, I guess?
“Auntie G, I’m obsessed with toast, right. Anyway, I think my toaster is mad at me because I use it so much. Lately, I just feel like it dings in a very passive-aggressive tone and sometimes it pops so aggressively my toast flies out. Should I confront it or just switch to cereal?”
- Ok, I don’t know how you plan to “confront” a toaster, but what I will say is that cereal is for children, and you are not a child (sorry). Have some eggs or something man. Give your toaster a break.
Lastly, my favourite:
“Anne, I accidentally said ‘love you’ at the end of a Teams call with my diss supervisor. Now I am filled with panic and regret. Do I email her a follow-up apology or just submit my diss as-is so I never have to talk to her again?”
- I really hope, for your sake, that you’re another troll. I saved it for last because this one could actually be true and that thought made me giggle and kick my feet (sorry to laugh at your pain if this is true). I’m sure you’re not the first person to say something weird like that to a professor … hey – at least you didn’t call her mum!
Well, here we are – the end. Seems daunting, but everything must eventually come to a close. Thank you for joining me this year and I wish you all the very best. Wherever you’re going, I know you’ll do great.
Best of luck!
Kasey
Anne Glia; 2024-2025.
Leave a Reply