What 90s romcoms didn't teach us about moving to university

Being solely British, I’m not sure which role I would play in an American teen romcom. Whether I'd be a nerd, jock, or the princess is up for debate.

Falling into one of these characters is a total misconception of finding your feet as a student in a new city – except from the part where we're thrown together in a room for hours, or a whole year in our case. Stories like The Breakfast Club fail to prepare students for the nerve-wracking first few weeks of meeting new friends, teachers and starting a life separate to the one we thought was the centre of our universe.

Moving to university inspired me to binge watch all the best romantic comedies which follow young, carefree students who move away from home – but I suddenly felt detached from my once romanticised future and saw an unfamiliar narrative where there were no nerves, a total lack of pressure and social awkwardness didn't exist. Granted, social anxiety and repetitive questioning of people's names, home town and course doesn't belong on the silver screens, but it would shine some truth on what moving out is really like.

My first lecture left me with no opportunity to pull an Elle Woods and I don't think the A cappella group would appreciate my limited vocal range, so I was left desperately signing up to random societies and talking nonsense to total strangers. The film which felt most relatable was sadly Perks of Being a Wallflower, which is the perfect example of the chronicle that uni life can be lonely and terrifying, and having Emma Watson as your best friend is a game changer when you feel most vulnerable – but hey ho, that part is still a pipe dream for most!

I think my point is – and I stress think in the most clueless manner – that these films we fantasise and watch on repeat don't truly prepare you for the heartbreak of leaving your childhood behind. The excitement of breaking free and never looking back that Kat Stratford longs for ignores the unfamiliarity and turmoil of student life – especially first year accommodation.

Whichever character you most associate with, when students are thrown into a house together, it invites diversity and friendship that lay the foundation for an exciting narrative no-one can take away from you.

Edited by Pia Cooper