Transition at UCL - Student Blogs
Anna - Before Coming to UCL
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What are you most looking forward to about university? I am looking forward to meeting new people, to studying something that truly interests me, to learning how to be independent and live on my own, and to having as many new experiences as possible. What are your main concerns about starting university? I am mainly worried about fitting in and about managing to survive on my own. I am also worried that the course wont meet my expectations or that I won't enjoy it. A further concern is whether I will fit in to English society as I come from a completely different cultural background. What do you expect will be the biggest challenge in adjusting to university life? Probably the biggest challenge will be adjusting to my own independence, which obviously comes with responsibilities such as managing bank accounts, paying fees, etc. |
First Month at UCL
So far I have found that university is both as good and as bad as it is described. These first few weeks have been hectic, overwhelming, exciting, and confusing. The good side is that I have met many people from different courses and universities, and that I am enjoying my lectures. London is thankfully not as scary of a city as it at first appears, and the area UCL is in is quite safe. Unfortunately, settling in takes a while and I have found myself missing my friends, as it is hard to replace people that have known you for several years with people you have known for several weeks. However, so far I am feeling fairly optimistic about my decision to study at UCL.
Second Month
Tip of the month - Get a yellow card!! It costs 2 quid and gets you discounts in yellow card pubs! You know you'll use it...
A Random Incident - I was walking to lectures and passed by some guys. One of them, pointing behind me, called out, "You've dropped something!" I turned around. There was nothing there, so I faced him, confused. The guy said, grinning, "I just wanted to see you turn.",I felt very silly, but it was funny. These incidents make me feel at home here...
The Social Side - Fitting in is no problem. London is huge, so you can always find something to do. Only suggestion is to get out and meet people. Sitting alone in your room doesn't do you any good, especially if you're homesick (and I'm saying that from experience). Koko's, Crush, Phase, Cirque: just a few of the many clubs I have been to so far.
University - Handing in my first assessment was a nightmare. I didn't know what they expected and worried that I wouldn't be good enough. Silly of me, really, as everything went well and since then I have handed in many assessments. Adjusting is no problem as your tutor is there to help. Classes are small, friendly, and personal. But sometimes, however interesting, I nearly fall asleep due to excessive partying and little rest. Suggestions: take water and snacks to class as they help keep you awake...sometimes!
Third Month
Tip of the month - A nice, small, and quiet (but slightly expensive) place to go to is the Polish bar near Holborn station (open from 6pm to 11pm), where they specialize in different kinds of vodka. Like wine-tasting, but with vodka. Very interesting experience; I didn't know vodka could actually taste of something!
Life At Halls - It can be wild and overwhelming, someone is always going out somewhere every night and it's tempting to forget about work and party all the time. I was surprised to realize that I know over 60 people at halls. I still can't believe I know so many! The most amusing incident this past month was the small war my friend and I had against some of the guys, who at 3am, in a rather wasted state, decided it would be funny to cover their faces with scarves and hoodies and come and wake me up. When I opened the door in my confused and sleepy state, they threw three buckets of water at me, before running off giggling like children.
My friend and I hunted them down to discover their identities, and then the next morning plotted revenge. All of the guys had been too drunk to remember to lock their doors, so we took water mixed with shampoo and soaked them all. What was very funny was the way they lay protesting in bed, too sleepy to even avoid getting wet. Life at halls, what can I say? It's great!
Social Life vs. University - I have to say I've been going out a lot less than I did my first month here, mostly due to simply being too tired. I suppose the wild partying of the first few weeks has to catch up with you sometime. Oops... The workload hasn't really increased that much however I do have a couple exams during the last week of term which I should be studying for. It's just hard to gather the energy to study, what with the gloomy weather, and the overall confusion that the first term has flown by in the blink of an eye.
I find that on my days off (I have Wednesdays and Fridays free, yay!) I end up sleeping the day away! Not always, though. One Wednesday! I went on a shopping marathon and walked all the way down Oxford Street. It was worth it and made me feel like I had accomplished something, so I suggest some cold, fresh air all those sitting around indoors!
Fourth Month
Tip of the month - Get your JCR committee at halls to organize and subsidize outings as that way you’ll get to do what you wanted to cheaper! Our JCR organized a trip ice skating at Somerset House (very amusing as several guys hadn’t been ice skating before!) as well as an outing to see The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theater (which was amazing). They’re also planning on a Laser Quest outing which should be good fun.
Holiday musing - Christmas vacation came as a relief after exams. Going home was strange but relaxing, yet at the same time I couldn’t wait to return to London. It’s as if I have two homes, like I’m switching between two parallel universes. London is new and thrilling and exciting, Milan is safe and comfortable. I still don’t know which I prefer or where I’ll live after university. Going home was strange in that I realized that not only had Milan changed in my absence, but I had changed as well. We were like strangers that knew each other very well.
Back to work – My new schedule is very similar to the one I had last term as I am taking nearly all of the same modules. I still have only 8 hours a week, and have continued evening Spanish classes once a week. Getting back to work has been a bit of a nightmare and with the gloomy cold weather we haven’t been going out much. Everyone seems more serious this term; I suppose Fresher fever is over. But we still manage to have loads of fun.
Current worries – I’ve already started planning what I will be doing for the month off in Easter. Now’s the time to start planning as otherwise plane tickets will be sky high. My friends and I are also thinking about the living situation next year and where we will live. In the next few weeks we will be flat-hunting.
Random recommendations – I’ve also been watching quite a lot of movies these past few weeks. For those who like a laugh, see The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Sin City is gory but amazingly artistic and innovative. Kill Bill V. 1 & 2 were pretty good too. Fahrenheit 9/11 was quite disturbing but really interesting.
As a final note, for all those who, like me, do not understand a large amount of British slang, check out www.urbandictionary.com. It is highly helpful, amusing, and addictive.
Fifth Month
Tip of the month - Try the Milano Hot Chocolate in Cafe Nero, it's a yummy uber-thick hot chocolate that will be the death of any chocolate lover such as myself.
Social Life - Things have been quite calm second term -students have become more serious and I have fewer late nights out. However, I have managed to acquire a boyfriend, which is a change from my first term single-ness. Most of the people I know, actually, are in a relationship, which does unfortunately have the effect of changing one's social life.
My friends and I organize every now and then girly nights out to make sure we get some time to chat and properly hang out, as boyfriends seem to eat up a lot of time.
Daytime Things To Do - I've been seeing more of London during the day now that my night-life exploration frenzy has calmed down.
If you're looking for a stroll in a nice area... Well, the walk to Primrose hill is refreshing, the view from the hill itself makes it worth a visit. It's also quite a romantic place; when I went it was sunny and snowing at the same time. Kensington palace and the gardens are also quite good, and when I was in that area I also went to Portobello market (near Nottinghill Gate) which shows another side of London. It has a small town market feel to it, and there are lots of stalls selling random things. I heard Spitalfields market in Old Street is also good, but I haven't been there yet.
Night-time Things To Do - I've been going to a lot more gigs recently instead of clubs. The Nottinghill Gate Arts club is a cool venue, small and intimate. The Pleasure Unit wasn't too bad, although one of the bands was terrible. The Dublin Castle (Camden) is a cool place, but it got very crowded in there which I personally didn't like that much. The music life in London is vast and amazing, though. It's something everyone should delve in to!
Coming up next - Well not only the end of the year (argh!) but also a month off for Easter (whoo..). When I get back I've got to sort out housing, and also sit for my exams and hopefully pass them all, and that's it. Scarily enough, first year is rapidly coming to a close.
Page last modified on 21 nov 06 17:04 by Ian C Bartlett
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