University is arguably the biggest change a person typically goes through in early life, and to many this is daunting, and maybe even slightly terrifying. I know that I was incredibly anxious to make the big leap. I’m a northerner myself– so I had quite the move to make. But it wasn’t the geographical shift I was concerned about; it was the shift in lifestyle and responsibility. Now I’ve been studying at the University of Birmingham for a term, so I think I’m just about experienced enough to discuss the transition from sixth form college life to university.
The first thing you might think about if you haven’t attended university yourself is the actual study. And it’s true, there is a substantial difference, not just with the content but the way it is taught. A strange new world of lectures and seminars is introduced, replacing the safety of classrooms – places one grows accustomed to after spending fourteen years of your educational career in them. Being a physics student, I also spend around a day a week in a lab, something which I have to confess doesn’t differ that greatly from experiments at A-level, apart from duration and a lot more care when calculating error. In fact, lectures themselves are not that difficult to get used to. Lecturers usually work at a comfortable pace, and make it clear what needs to be written down. Not to mention, every lecture is recorded and posted online afterwards anyway.
Another thing a fresher may be anxious about is the lifestyle: cooking and cleaning for yourself, getting from A to B by yourself, making almost every decision by yourself. For some, this was done before university anyway, but for the majority these are life-altering revelations. No, the laundry does not do itself. Pretty crazy right? In fact, I could write a whole post on the difficulties I encounter doing my laundry – not because I can’t do laundry – but because of the quality of the machines, the tedious, soul-wrenching pain that is the Circuit Laundry app and the fact that there are never any free washers. However, I digress, and one does evolve to negotiate these difficulties with varying degrees of success anyway. It’s all part of becoming an adult, and as frustrating as it can be sometimes, the independence provides a sense of freedom many won’t have felt before. It’s surprisingly easy to adapt, and before you know it you wouldn’t have it any other way.
It is no secret that the student life also includes a large amount of partying, something that is especially true in first year. This is something that I personally take full advantage of – it’s a great way to solidify friendships and just have a great time! At first it seems strange to be going out regularly on a Tuesday night, but eventually it becomes part of the lifestyle, and now life seems incomplete without it. Of course, it can become tiring, but it is fairly easy to strike the balance between work and play. University nights out offer some of the greatest memories you will ever make.
Over the next few months I’ll be providing you, the reader, with further insights into the life of a student at the University of Birmingham. So, buckle up, it’s going to be a fun ride!
Below are some pictures from two of my favourite nights out here in Birmingham.
