University is one of the most defining periods of your life. It practically guarantees that no one enters and exits as the same person.

We don’t mean that you picked up a new hobby or your taste in music changed (although that probably happened too), we’re talking about the little things. The things that only studying for a lengthy period of time can truly account for. University slightly but importantly readjusts you.

#1 You Un-ironically Love Uni Merch

Your younger self didn’t think education merchandise was cool at all. You probably spent all of school in uniform, after all.

But the older, uni student/graduate version of you definitely wants – or already owns – a jumper with your institutions name proudly printed on it. University has wheedled its way into your heart and left a taste for branded merchandise.

#2 You Have Opinions, Damn It

It’s unclear when it happened, maybe it was a particularly infuriating tutorial or those campus activists started getting to you, but you share your opinions a heck of a lot more.

Thanks to uni you’ve grown into a passionate person and have gained the expanded, perhaps expletive filled, vocabulary to express your thoughts. You’re ready to verbally throw down.

#3 You Dodge Pamphlet People Like A Pro

Ah, the dreaded pamphleteers. In the beginning you were polite, but then you developed skills. Now you know how to put your headphones in, stare at your phone and duck out of their eye line. You blend into the background like the chameleon that you were born to be. And it’s all thanks to university.

#4 You Understand The Value Of Time Management

Sure, high school was tough. But uni? That’ll keep you up until 3am doing assignments and eating two-minute noodles.

Uni has taught you how to actually stick to a schedule – even if that schedule is ridiculous. Even though it’s a valuable life skill, your teenage self probably thinks you’re a real square for being so organised.

#5 You Can Navigate Yourself Anywhere

This goes for everything. Campus buildings? You bet. Street names? Remembering them is surprisingly helpful. Public transport? You have impressive knowledge of buses, trains and trams. You have an enviable internal compass. Your phone is still your friend, but you’re way better at seeking out locations than before.

#6 You’re A True Critical Thinker

The faculty, your lecturers, your tutors and probably your parents have told you about ‘critical thinking’ ad nauseam.

But they’re right. You actually are more analytical even if you aren’t consciously aware of this fact. You’re a more inquisitive, creative and thoughtful person than the one who started so long ago.

#7 You Know How To Live On Nothing But Sugar

You know the story. You’re up late finishing an assignment and can’t bear to drink another coffee, so you eat lollies. And then you’re tired the next day and still can’t look at coffee directly. So you eat lollies.

Student life has graced you with the power to harness the sugar high for good.

#8 You Can Smell A BBQ From Half A Kilometre Away

Everyone knows the smell of a good barbeque but you have an amazing gift. Yep, you can sniff out that beautiful barbeque from across the campus.

You’ve also developed the talent of intuitively knowing whether that lovely, intoxicating food is free. This is the greatest upgrade that university has bestowed upon you.

University has truly changed you. Which is either a blessing or a curse depending on how many cavities you’ve developed.

Ally is a uni student who is shockingly good at remembering facts no one cares about involving TV shows and films. She also writes a bit.

(Lead image: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants/Warner Bros)