One of my biggest regrets in life is not applying for Oxford or Cambridge University. I'm now fully convinced I would have found my people there, instead of the hardships I encountered at Essex. Perhaps it's a bit pathetic to still be dwelling on this at the ripe age of 40, but the soul wants what the soul wants! We can't change the past, we can only dream.
In my dreams, I was having a second chance at higher education, at an all boy's university somewhere between the aforementioned heavy hitters. The campus was based in a castle in the woods, accommodating both classes and dormatories. Hogwarts style. Every morning and evening, a horse drawn carriage took students from the chateaux to a lavish outdoor banqueting area where a fully staffed catering team cooked up a delicious feast. No more instant noodles scraped together from a filthy kitchen filled with unwashed crockery, no more food poisoning from dodgy campus eateries. This was luxury wining and dining every day beneath a twinkling canopy of fairylights.
After eating and drinking to our hearts' content, we were free to roam the grounds and socialise before being carted back to the castle. Those who missed the last carriage back were only slightly inconvenienced by a ten minute stroll through the forest as the sun set. I was able to jump onto the last transport, which for some reason became a motorbike driven by a porter. As we whizzed through the trees, I caught sight of glowing eyes amongst the foliage, and glimpsed the stocky bodies of pottos ambling about their business. The porter told us they lived in the castle grounds, but were shy and kept out of sight. I resolved to organise a nature watching expedition at some point.
Back at the castle, I was conducted to my room on one of the upper levels. The castle was splendidly furnished, with plush rugs covering the flagstone floors. There were huge arcane looking spellbooks lying around, as well as gargoyle statues and ornate foundations. In my chamber, I was irked to discover that I would be sharing it with someone who is a bit of a waste of space. Never mind, one couldn't have it all, and one unpleasant room-mate was always going to be better than sixteen! I claimed my bed and began unpacking my things, excited to begin exploring my new digs for the upcoming year. Unfortunately my memory grows hazy at this point, as the dream was several nights ago.
