Leaving Home

[142094]

The best thing is, 1st year doesn't count towards the final degree grade you receive (usually)!

One thing to remember is to use all of your free time. You'll soon realise why when you graduate and start a full time job. The 3+ years also pass very quickly.

 

[yorksrob]

Too quickly in my experience.

 

[Bevan Price]

Ohhhh, he's sharp! Didn't look just underneath it then and see my username?
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Bevan Price, I know there are a lot of people who wouldn't agree with that.
Presently I'm not one of them, but hell I'm not there yet. And are you suggesting the whole city is nothing but a rowdy cattle market!?

No - I was trying to suggest that, if you needed to go shopping for food, then you might find Leeds Market sometimes gives you better value than supermarkets. Even if there are good cafes at University or near where you live, there are times when you may want something that is not on their menus.

Another point I could make - Exams - you are almost certainly going to have exams. Try to spread your revision over several weeks, rather than trying to do it all in the day or two before the exam. Unless you have a photographic memory, the brain can become over-saturated with facts if you do too much at once, and it will not help you to get the best results.

But, as others comment, it is essential that you have some relaxation time /activities between studies - find something you like doing, and enjoy your time at Uni.

 

[Drsatan]

As someone who graduated last year (and attended the same university as AdamW) I can sympathise with how some people moving to University are feeling.

For me, the worst part of Freshers week was the period prior to moving into University, since I was very worried about what might happen. Nonetheless, I felt rather more comfortable when I moved into my room in halls and met some freshers in the university pub. In fact, I even met someone from my old school who I hadn't spoken to for a while.

I wasn't a naturally sociable individual prior to University, but that improved when I started first year and got chatting to other freshers. I found that conversation comes more naturally if you've had a few drinks - you don't need to get paralytic, but having a few drinks does help to ease tensions. I found that it's also important not to spend too much time in your room watching TV (for me this was all too tempting), so I'd also recommend joining a society. Certainly at my uni there was a society for everyone.

In first year I lived in catered halls which was ok since it meant I didn't have to cook, although the food wasn't great. I believe that catered halls have now become uncommon since universities have started contracting out maintenance and operations of student accommodation to private firms.

Other than that, I'd highly recommend uni. You will meet quite a few ****s, and you may not get on with your flatmates, but certainly for me the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.

 

[CC 72100]

One thing to remember is to use all of your free time. You'll soon realise why when you graduate and start a full time job. The 3+ years also pass very quickly.

As someone doing an internship at the moment for 3rd year abroad, I can very much agree with this!
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In first year I lived in catered halls which was ok since it meant I didn't have to cook, although the food wasn't great. I believe that catered halls have now become uncommon since universities have started contracting out maintenance and operations of student accommodation to private firms.

Our food in Holland Hall*was pretty good, no complains from me even though i'm the world's fussiest eater. With regards to private firms, yep, that's most certainly happening. Self-catered en-suite cluster flats are the order of the day at the moment it seems.

*I hope you don't now have a lower opinion of my following that revelation!
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That actually already happened to me while I was doing my A-levels. Which I loathed - and didn't really like much of my 6th form experience either - so in that respect this can only be better!

Yep, happened to me a bit then, but we were a close knit bunch and it passed quickly. For first year I got the feeling that I was in the wrong classes with the wrong people, and confidence got to a stage when I tried to avoid speaking up in seminars so that everyone wouldn't find out how poor I actually was :roll:

I say this as someone who got a high 2:1 last year, so it is all confidence!

As others have alluded to, you're probably already a lot more independent than you are giving yourself credit for.

 

[itsjamierawr]

Don't worry, I'm in the same boat as I move to University of Kent (Canterbury - woo, 395/375s... but slightly higher fares than Preston). On the one hand I'm looking forward to it, leaving home doesn't bother me (I'm sick of this area) but I think the apprehension/not knowing what's coming up bothers me a little - you'll be fine! I've got friends going to and who are at Leeds, they love it (and I went to the open day, the halls looked great). Enjoy!

 

[CC 72100]

So to go back to the OP, how did the actual moving out go and how are you finding it all?

 

[Starmill]

Ah yes, as to this it's all gone surprisingly well. It's not too bad having the flat to myself most nights from sort of 11 till 3 I hardly remember what's been going on really because of the requirement in my course to build a timetable that actually is possible to attend... man I'm gonna be busy. What with that and unpacking, which is only just being completed 5 days later, and all of that other stuff that you have to do in order to, you know, live, like cook and clean, I've hardly been on the forum!

It will be interesting to see how long the 'grace period' lasts before you work out who the real knobs are though, as someone said on here. It is great though to literally meet random people most of the day every day, where else do you get to do that? And also a spot of 3am cleaning

 

[ValleyLines142]

Good luck in uni - you'll have an awesome time!

I have to say, the first couple of weeks are quite nerve-wracking, but after so long you'll enjoy it so much! By moving out, you'll have an independent life and the experience of what it is like to live away. However, don't forget you also have the best of both worlds because Manchester to Leeds is only just under an hour on the train so you can regularly pop home and visit! Unlike my friend who is from Leeds and goes to uni in Paris!!

At present, I'm commuting to the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol from Cardiff. My journey time is about an hour altogether. Fifteen minutes from my house to Cardiff Central, thirty minute journey to Bristol Parkway, and another fifteen minute walk the other end. I feel as if I'm getting the best of both worlds because I'm still travelling away for uni, so I'm spreading my wings, but I'm also still with my family, who I am very close to. I still go out with all my coursemates because I can just crash over their places or I can just get a train back to Cardiff. Bristol to Cardiff has a near 24-hour service anyway (first train 0519, last train 0137).

However, I am planning on moving to Bristol this year (just started second year), as my workload has become slightly more hectic and it would be good to not have the stress of shuttling in between the two cities. Unfortunately, the rent to live in Bristol seems a LOT more expensive in Cardiff (Monthly rent in Cardiff on average = £300-£320, for Bristol, about £420-£450), but I'll have to see what happens. Despite the fact that I haven't moved away yet, I still feel more independent anyway in that I'm in a different city still. My friend lives in Barry in South Wales and goes to Cardiff uni, and last year he lived from home and commuted into Cardiff, and despite the fact he loves his course and has met some great friends, he regrets not moving away so now he has moved into the centre of Cardiff. However, if I move to Bristol, I am in the same position as you, only about an hour away from home and at £10 for an Open Return ticket between Bristol and Cardiff I can afford to pop home regularly, therefore getting the best of both worlds.

Anyway, enough about me, but I'm sure you'll have an awesome time. Years ago, I never, EVER in a million years thought I'd go to uni. I thought I'd hate it. I was totally wrong. It is the best decision I've ever made and I love every second of it and have got no regrets whatsoever. Leeds is also a great city so I'm sure you'll love it! All the best!

 

[Trainfan344]

Ooooo - which campus are you at? I was at the Stafford campus

I'm at the Stoke Campus, Reading Forensic Investigations, bit far away from Home though.

 

[Crossover]

I'm at the Stoke Campus, Reading Forensic Investigations, bit far away from Home though.

Boooo, Stoke :P (sorry, has to be done )

Hope you're enjoying your time there so far.

 

[jb]

I'm at the Stoke Campus, Reading Forensic Investigations, bit far away from Home though.

Does the first word after the comma mean "studying" or the town in Berkshire? :P

(Hint: if it's the former, the word's usage is terribly pretentious and only really suitable for up-themselves individuals on University Challenge - anyone in the real world uses "studying")

 

[IanD]

Does the first word after the comma mean "studying" or the town in Berkshire? :P

(Hint: if it's the former, the word's usage is terribly pretentious and only really suitable for up-themselves individuals on University Challenge - anyone in the real world uses "studying")

There was a guy on University Challenge last night who said in a tough-guy wannabe voice "I'm Tom Rees from Guildford and I do Maths." Nice one!

I remember when I was at University in the halls of residence and one of the teaching staff asked what I was reading and I said "Some trashy detective novel." She wasn't impressed.

 

[Johnuk123]

Does the first word after the comma mean "studying" or the town in Berkshire? :P

(Hint: if it's the former, the word's usage is terribly pretentious and only really suitable for up-themselves individuals on University Challenge - anyone in the real world uses "studying")

My University lecturer wife agrees with you, even at Cambridge you don't "read"

 

[Mojo]

Does the first word after the comma mean "studying" or the town in Berkshire? :P

(Hint: if it's the former, the word's usage is terribly pretentious and only really suitable for up-themselves individuals on University Challenge - anyone in the real world uses "studying")

If the former shouldn't it also start with a lower-case r?

 

[jb]

If the former shouldn't it also start with a lower-case r?

Well, quite. It's only DaveNewcastle who is Allowed to capitalise Random words in The middle of sentences When talking about the Law.

 

[Oswyntail]

....(Hint: if it's the former, the word's usage is terribly pretentious and only really suitable for up-themselves individuals on University Challenge - anyone in the real world uses "studying")

Not true - though the inverse snobbery is quite common, and equally "up-themselves":roll:

 

[jb]

Not true - though the inverse snobbery is quite common, and equally "up-themselves":roll:

Basis for your (confident and bluntly stated yet incorrect) assertion?

I'll start the bidding at 20 years' experience in HE.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Absolutely loving uni at the moment. Can only remember about 20% of the whole of Freshers' Week, but I love my course and the societies I've joined look brilliant. I'll probably change my mind when exams start, but for the moment I'm reveling in the joy.

 

[90sWereBetter]

University so far has been pretty decent. I didn't get too involved in Fresher's Week, on the basis that clubbing and consuming vast quantities of alcohol aren't really my thing, but I have been getting to know my flatmates better (after being a bit anti-social for the first few days) and they're a good bunch. My course (English) is interesting, albeit somewhat difficult (though I can put that down to not doing anything academic-related for about 4 months beforehand ), and there's a great bunch of people on the course as well.

When not studying, I've been taking the chance to try and catch every member of the Ipswich Buses fleet (apart from dedicated schoolbuses), which has gone well despite BOTH bus stations being shut at the same time, and the ridiculous amount of roadworks in town.

But yeah, everything's settled down after the nervous start, and I'm confident for the future.

 

[Starmill]

My University lecturer wife agrees with you, even at Cambridge you don't "read"

Some people doing Arts based courses round 'ere could well use that description. It's just books books and more books! In fact, one lecturer introduced their module by saying "You know those fancy people on University Challenge who talk about "reading" their courses? Well that's what you're going to do here, but be less stuck up about it."
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Well, quite. It's only DaveNewcastle who is Allowed to capitalise Random words in The middle of sentences When talking about the Law.

Maybe he's developed a secret passion for poetry?

90sWereBetter's account is quite close to my own actually (especially the comments about alcohol), and more so than MattE2010s. I've been drowning in boring admin have no idea which societies to join and nobody will shut up about careers advice! First assignment going in tomorrow too and that seems earlier than everyone else

I've also met someone from Ipswich (who may or may not have overheard my slightly drunken announcement of a Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil service in Welsh) who told me they had someone in high school who made an hour long video of Ipswich buses and sold it to people! All I can say about the place is that I thought it was in Essex

I've also just changed my bed sheets, which I'm told is not the done thing in student houses! Humph!

 

[Crossover]

First assignment going in tomorrow too and that seems earlier than everyone else

That seems pretty early!

I've also met someone from Ipswich (who may or may not have overheard my slightly drunken announcement of a Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil service in Welsh) who told me they had someone in high school who made an hour long video of Ipswich buses and sold it to people! All I can say about the place is that I thought it was in Essex

Now there's a revelation!

I've also just changed my bed sheets, which I'm told is not the done thing in student houses! Humph!

There will be some who don't (especially after only a couple of weeks). Get the vacuum out and everyone thinks you've gone mad (unless its room inspections, in which case everyone jumps to making their room look slightly less messy than usual :P)

 

[Mojo]

There will be some who don't (especially after only a couple of weeks). Get the vacuum out and everyone thinks you've gone mad (unless its room inspections, in which case everyone jumps to making their room look slightly less messy than usual :P)

Most memorable moment from first year was someone vacuuming at gone 3a.m. She was not drunk, but just thought that everyone was still awake!

 

[Clip]

I have no idea about Uni or any further education away from home - I just left hom eat 16 to forge me own path. Whatever happens you will love it and the best part is going back to your mams and having some proper cooking done for you, until you either learn or find a lass/d to do it for you

 

[maniacmartin]

I know people who use the word 'reading' instead of studying. They are arts students for what its worth :P

I didn't really get home sick when going to university at the other side of the country, but seem to have gotten it very quickly when leaving the UK altogether for a few months.

 

[Trainfan344]

Uni is great, have got some great flatmates, freshers week was great fun, getting drunk then stumbling out to a club or hosting a flat party, am on my 2nd week of lectures now, been down to Stoke station a couple of times, and have met loads of great people, course is great so far!

 

[Starmill]

Uni is great, have got some great flatmates, freshers week was great fun, getting drunk then stumbling out to a club or hosting a flat party, am on my 2nd week of lectures now, been down to Stoke station a couple of times, and have met loads of great people, course is great so far!

Oh for life to be so simple

 

[Crossover]

Oh for life to be so simple

Simple would be boring :P