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Some of my happiest years were spent at college. I left home aged eighteen and college was my first taste of freedom. The college was as close to South West London, as you could get, without actually being in South West London! Although my first year digs did have a London postcode, SW20.

Most of my second year at college was spent in France, Tours to be precise. For those of us who were studying to be teachers of French, studying in France and gaining a diploma, was a compulsory requirement. We did have the option of studying in Caen, but choosing Tours was one of the more sensible decisions I made while at college. I had a fabulous time!

After France, I moved into a Hall of Residence. We were allowed to choose the other inhabitants of our corridor and we had great fun while living there. I’ve relatively recently reconnected with one of my fellow students not only from our corridor but also from Tours. When we first met, at a college reunion, the years rolled back and we were able to reconnect our friendship which was – and is – brilliant.

I probably spent too much of the first and second years socialising, and I realised that if I wanted to get the necessary grades to complete my fourth year, I would have to get down to some serious graft in year three! Fortunately, I was successful and the majority of my fourth, and final year, was spent at the Institute of London.

The graduation took place at the Royal Albert Hall, an amazing venue! Of course, not everything about college had a successful outcome. I got married at the end of my third year which was far too young and love was definitely blind! Hindsight is always a wonderful thing and I have no real regrets because I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t gone through this experience.

Another one of my college friends who I met in the first year, remains one of my closest friends and we meet and catch up on a regular basis, She even reads this blog. You know who you are!

I haven’t answered the prompt but I hope you have enjoyed my ramble through my college years. Thanks for reading!


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