Five years ago today, I was pacing my room, waiting for my mum to get ready so we could go and get my A Level results. 

To make matters worse, my best friend had already headed down... her results were so good they called her in early to do the cheesy 'jumping' shot for the local newspaper. 

Turns out my grades weren't what my first choice of uni expected - I kind of knew that they wouldn't be, but it was still hard to deal with when everyone around me seemed to be celebrating.

But - I had A Levels! They weren't too bad and I still wanted to go to uni so I went straight home and got on the computer and the phone.

After a few hours, I felt much better. I had interviews and open day visits for three different places and I was back to being my optimistic self.

When I came to Swansea for my interview and my openday it was a lovely sunny day. The history department were really friendly and as I wandered around the campus I got excited about what my life could be like here.

Fast forward five years, and coming to Swansea was the best decision I could have made. I loved my degree, and found I was interested in loads of stuff I'd never heard about before. 

I joined societies and met some of my best friends, as well as gained loads more confidence and did things I would never have thought I'd know how to do - organised a trip to Rome?!

Once I got involved in societies I got more involved in the SU - I ran to be a part time officer, and then full time, and after wearing some robes and an annoying hat, here I am, Swansea's welfare officer!

So to anyone who got their results today, congratulations. You stuck through your A Levels and now the whole world is in front of you. Whatever the grades, there's so much you can make of your life. Maybe it will be in Swansea... if so, see you in September!

Charlotte