A University student interviewing her Future Self

Okay, I didn’t invent a time machine or summon a wise, future version of myself with a fancy job and a mortgage. But after a classic mid-library crisis (and a tub of Tesco cookie dough), I decided to write out the interview I wish I could have with my 30-year-old self.

Here’s what I imagine my future self would say about life at Cardiff University- from rainy Cathays walks to all-nighters and the lessons that really stuck with me.

Q: So, what do you remember most about uni?

Future Me: Honestly? Not the grades. Not even the lectures (sorry to my professors!). It’s the little things that have stuck with me: the chaotic flatmate cooking experiments, getting absolutely drenched on the way to Lidl, belting out lyrics at YOLO, and watching sunsets in Bute Park with friends who felt like family. It’s the friendships, the freedom, and those moments of self-discovery in the middle of all the chaos that made Cardiff unforgettable.

Q: Did you ever figure out what you were doing?

Future Me: Nope-and that’s the beauty of it. I stopped waiting for that magical moment when everything would make sense, and instead, I started following what genuinely excited me. Uni didn’t hand me a step-by-step life plan, but it gave me the confidence to improvise, to trust myself, and to know that uncertainty is where the best things often begin.

Q: What advice would you give your uni self?

Future Me: Don’t stress about having everything sorted by 21. It’s completely fine not to know what’s next, to change your mind, or to take a night off when you need it. Say yes more often, but only when it feels right. Don’t force yourself to go to events just because you’re scared of missing out-go because you actually want to. Uni is about finding your own rhythm, not ticking off someone else’s checklist.

Q: Was Cardiff the right choice?

Future Me: Absolutely. Cardiff was more than a university-it was a character in my story. The Cathays madness, the quirky arcades and markets, late-night walks past the castle-it all became the backdrop to me figuring out who I am. I outgrew some things here, found my people, made mistakes, and learned from every single one. Cardiff’s vibrant student life, from gigs at Clwb Ifor Bach to quiet moments in the parks, made it the perfect place to grow and explore.

Q: One last thing-what would you say to someone starting uni now?

Future Me: Don’t rush the experience. Take photos, talk to new people (safely, of course), and try that random society you’re curious about-even if you think you’ll be terrible at it. Some of your best memories will come from the most unexpected decisions. Your future self won’t be perfect, but they’ll be proud-proud of how you grew, how you kept going, and how you learned to love the messy, unpredictable journey that is uni life.

One day, I’ll look back on these years with a full heart. Until then, I’ll keep making stories worth telling-right here in Cardiff.

See you in the future (sort of),
Third-Year Student, Cardiff University, 2025

Muskaan from India, Year 3 Journalism, Media and English Literature (BA)