My experience studying in the UK has been amazing so far! I am originally from Canada and leaving home to study abroad for two years was hard and scary at the beginning but now halfway through my UK experience it has given me opportunities that I never thought possible.
My school and program are wonderful, I have made friends from all over the world, and I have been exposed to so many different cultures, traditions, and lifestyles that have broadened my perspective. Living in the UK has also exposed me to travelling, being able to take a one-hour flight, be in a completely different country, and get to try delicious foods!
Apart from living in the UK, my experience using Across the Pond service was positive. My senior student advisor was wonderful. She provided quick responses and was super helpful in guiding me to select the most appropriate schools, preparing me for school interviews, and helping me write my statements. This made my application process easy and moving to a new country stress-free. My advisor was reliable and trustworthy to guide my new start in the UK. Overall, moving abroad has challenged me to come out of my comfort zone, push myself to be the best I can be, and take the experiences around me to learn and grow into a better version of myself.
I am originally from Canada and decided to study law in the UK. When I applied with Across the Pond originally, I was 21 years old and wanted to pursue my education further and wanted to experience something new. I had lived in the same country and city since birth and ultimately will settle there in the future, but I wanted to go out and have experiences that would benefit me as a person and help me better connect with others.
The UK is a multicultural country just like Canada, there are other similarities between the countries such as the language and shared history. The UK is also different enough that it would introduce me to new experiences, cultures and would allow me to see how a country like mine has diversified themselves.
The UK has over 100 law schools around the country to choose which is a greater amount than where I lived. Based on where you want to live while studying you have a wide range of schools to choose from in each region. UK degrees are accepted in other common law countries such as Canada meaning that you can study the subjects you want outside of your country and still be able to convert your degrees and use them in your home country after you leave the UK.
An undergraduate LLB degree is three years which is significantly less than some other countries which typically take up to 7 years, this is a quicker and could be a cheaper route for some people. Coming to the UK on a student visa also allows you to work while studying*. You can work up to 20 hours a week* during term time which allows you to make money during the year but also apply for jobs in the field that you’re studying and do internships that will look impressive to potential employers. Having jobs or internships in other countries may be an asset to some employers and is a good opportunity to network.
I picked the University of Law because they have multiple different campuses throughout the UK meaning that you could travel to different locations to complete your course and get to experience more of the UK. The university offers a wide range of legal courses and offers 2 Canadian courses at their London location which makes it easier to convert your degree over once you return to Canada. They also have a huge international student population meaning that there will be many students in the same situation as you, you will get to meet new people from around the world and share classrooms with locals. The class sizes are small allowing the tutor to be able to support students better and for you to make a connection with the tutors and your peers. The smaller classrooms allow for you to ask more questions openly, do more interactive work with others and allows the tutor to make sure all the students are following at the same pace.
The school offers services such as study skills throughout the year to help students improve their grades and develop new skills they may not have had before to succeed in their courses. Many resources are offered throughout the year to make final exams easier for students and there is free counselling and an employability service where they help you build resumes, apply to jobs and internships. Through the school I was able to apply for a 2-day shadowing scheme at the local family courthouse which I was able to put on my resume and gave me an insight into the workings of the courthouse from the perspective of a judge.
Compared to other UK cities such as London Birmingham is much more affordable for students in terms of living costs (restaurants, rent, groceries). If you are looking for entertainment the Symphony Hall is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, if you are looking for culture the Birmingham Hippodrome (musical theatre) attracts over 500,000 visitors a year. The Bullring is the UK’s most popular shopping destination with more than 160 shops and restaurants in the heart of the city.
I applied through Across the Pond and found the application process to be stress free and easy. I was put in contact with an agent that talked me through the process of applying and asked me what I wanted to study, where and suggested potential schools for me based on my interests and my previous grades and education. They helped with the UCAS process which is how students in the UK apply to university which was a new process for me. My agent helped me with my personal statement and made edits where appropriate and there was a lot of advice and pamphlets given on the visa process.
*Accurate at the time of this student's study experience in the UK. Check latest Home Office policies regarding student visas and work for the most up-to-date policies.
I am a Canadian student who applied through Across the Pond. When I was looking at where I wanted to go to university, I looked at many different countries and cities and decided on the UK which is home to some of the top-ranked universities, world-class education, and good quality teaching.
Another benefit for me was that a UK degree would be recognized worldwide (the UK is a common law country like the one I am from) I could return to Canada once I finish my course convert my degree and work in Canada.
I enjoy living in the UK because I get to experience new cultures, explore new places, and meet new people. Living in the UK I got to experience holidays which are only celebrated in the UK (Kings Coronation, Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II), it was very interesting to experience these events of the monarchs and being able to try new foods (fish and chips, Yorkshire Pudding, etc.)
Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom. It is a safe city to live in with a relatively low crime rate. The monthly cost of apartment rent and food shopping is not too bad compared to a city like London.
Birmingham has interesting places to explore, such as the Library of Birmingham. This is the largest public library in Europe, it has books, computers and a viewpoint at the top called the Secret Garden (which has a nice view of the city). The library is located next to the Bullring which is a large shopping center for those of you that enjoy shopping. There are many shops to choose from and many places to eat close by. The city has many churches within walking distance, for those that are not religious the architecture of the churches is impressive to look at and each building holds so much history.
The University of Law provides legal education and has many different campuses around the United Kingdom. The university has tutors who are qualified lawyers with personal experiences that they pass on to their students. I believe that this is very valuable since the tutor can use examples from their past legal experiences to help you better understand a topic. The tutors at the university are very helpful and available every day to help with any questions you have about lectures, workshops, and readings.
The class sizes are small making it easier for the tutor to engage with the students and make sure every student understands what is being taught. The university has a silent library that is open every day from early morning to late night for students to have a silent place to study, as well as a cafeteria that has a computer lab in it where students can eat lunch and study.
I took a significant leap, and I absolutely have no regrets! Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine. I was in a challenging phase in my life, and I decided it would be the best time to challenge myself and embrace a new experience.
I reached out to Across the Pond, where I was fortunate to be paired with my advisor, a guiding light throughout the entire process. Her support was truly indispensable in navigating this long process. There was so much to do including drafting a personal statement, undergoing a DBS check, initiating the student visa application, and assembling transcripts and reference letters. It all seemed overwhelming, but my advisor's assistance and patience were instrumental! I still can’t believe that Across the Pond is a free service! Advice: start gathering your documents as early as possible, have a checklist and stay organized! Talk to your advisor if you have any questions and they’ll be able to direct you better. Thank you so much to my advisor for all your help!
I opted for on-campus accommodation as it would be more accessible, and I also felt more at ease. The ensuite bedroom is small but comfortable. There is a dedicated study desk that I often use but the library is also a great alternative. Sharing a communal kitchen with nine other students can be challenging! Although the cleaning crew comes in the kitchen once a week, your bedroom is your responsibility. It’s an adaptation to live in community and I would say that for me this is the hardest part.
I love my program! It is quite demanding as there is so much to learn in little time and so you’ll be studying A LOT. To be honest, I feel that’s the only thing that I am doing most of the time but I’m learning so much! It is rewarding and significantly prepares me for a future as a skilled physiotherapist. I’ve made good friends, and we depend on each other for note taking which has helped tremendously. To excel in this program, be sure to form a study group and ensure that you’re on track with your studying as if you fall behind, it will be much more difficult to catch up as you’re learning something new every day.
Placements are demanding as well since you’re new to the field and can be quite overwhelming, but the university offers great tools to support you and you can talk to other students as most of us feel the same way. But once you get settled in, placements are great and invaluable to improve your clinical knowledge and practical skills. They are interesting and varied from sports to women's health, pediatric physiotherapy and more!
Although the bulk of my day is devoted to studying and going to class, I also use the university's gym to stay active and I ensure to spend time with my friends to explore London’s bars and nightlife. There are also a multitude of student societies that you can join to meet new people.
Entering the second and final year of my master's degree, I'm happy to say this is by far one of the best experiences of my life! Although this program is very demanding and I can’t wait to be back home with my family, the insights I’m gaining into my future profession and the friendships I’ve made overshadow these challenges. I can’t wait to look back to this adventure in years to come and be proud of what I’ve accomplished! But for now, I’m taking everything in as it goes by fast and I’m enjoying every bit that I can!
Moving to the UK has always been a dream of mine. With the help of Across the Pond, they were able to turn this dream into a reality. I always knew that I wanted to study abroad in the UK – I mean, who wouldn’t? The UK is absolutely stunning; with picturesque sceneries, more castles than you can count, unlimited pubs, and the people are incredibly friendly. Moving away from home can be scary, but it can open you up to amazing opportunities. Like the chance to connect and meet new people, broadening your horizons, and having the experience of a lifetime. So, let me tell you about mine!
When I thought about studying in the UK my brain immediately thought of universities solely in England, until Across the Pond helped me in exploring my options. They informed me about prestigious universities in Scotland – a place I never imagined myself living. After I informed Across the Pond about specific degrees I was interested in applying for, they sent me the universities and their programs that would be most fitting. This is when I discovered the University of Aberdeen – and the rest is history. I now get to wake up to a cozy rainy morning or a beautiful sunny day in the charming granite city of Scotland.
The University of Aberdeen
The decision to move to the UK was an easy one, however the decision of where to study within the UK came down to three factors:
I informed Across the Pond of my three concerns and they did not disappoint. They sent me a list of top UK universities, all while settled in safe cities with beautiful sceneries. Many of these schools were, in fact, in Scotland – again, a place I never thought of living.
When I officially decided to pursue a masters in Creative Writing, Across the Pond was more than willing to help me achieve this dream. They helped to connect me to different UK universities, all with prestigious reputations. In the list of schools, they sent me, they highlighted the University of Aberdeen. It has been ranked as a Top 20 UK University and ranked as number 2 in the UK for Creative Writing. I was very impressed. Not only with the school’s reputation but with its safety ranking as well. Compared to other major UK cities, Aberdeen ranks very low in crime across the UK and their beautiful picturesque campus had me hooked. Thus, Aberdeen became one of my main choices.
I am currently obtaining a master’s degree in Creative Writing. It is a one-year program that I began in January 2023. The program focuses on courses in writing short fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and other English literature. My course is extremely enjoyable. I look forward to writing new stories, learning about poetry from experts, and developing a new skill in scriptwriting. The professors for my course were not only experts in their fields but also incredibly kind and approachable. Their teaching methods encouraged me to think out-side-the-box and collaborate with other Creative Writing students. One of the most valuable aspects of my experience at the University of Aberdeen was the opportunity to collaborate with students from, not only the UK, but across the globe. My classrooms were filled with students from all different cultures, languages, and perspectives. Engaging in group discussions provided me with a broader perspective which benefited my writing undoubtedly. It also helped me to develop essential teamwork and communication skills that can benefit me in the future.
The historic architecture of King’s College, the lush green surroundings, and the warm Scottish hospitality made me feel at home the minute I stepped foot onto Aberdeen’s campus. The University staff was extremely welcoming, along with its student’s during Fresher’s Week. Fresher’s Week was an unforgettable experience and I encourage anyone and everyone to participate once they arrive at the University. It is a chance to meet people and make new friends. It is also the opportunity to join multiple societies and connect with the university’s student associations. Joining societies and attending campus events was one of the main ways I met my long-term friends.
The University of Aberdeen offers a boat-load of societies. If there isn’t a society in your field or one that you are interested in you could even create one! You would think as a Creative Writing student I joined the Creative Writing society, I did not. Writing is a passion of mine, not a hobby. Therefore, I wanted something that separated me from my studies. I joined Aberdeen U’s Wine Society – one of my best decisions. I was able to meet new people who shared the same love for wine as I did. We would host events, meetings, and parties which allowed me to meet a wide range of different people who enjoyed similar things as I did. This made meeting new people and making friends much easier when moving abroad to a new country.
One of the best decisions I ever made was living off campus. As a 25-year-old Master’s student, I was not up for the challenge of living with four to seven flat mates. As I did my own research regarding Aberdeen U’s accommodation, I realized this wasn’t going to be an ideal fit for me – I can be quite picky with where I live. But, it was good that I was because I ended up discovering that Aberdeen has student accommodation housing across its city for students studying at the Universities. The one I ended up applying for suited my needs in every way. Its modern studio design was absolutely perfect for what I was looking for. Spacious rooms with a private ensuite bathroom and kitchenette were of top priority to me. All studios also came with a large bed and study area. Its communal spaces allowed me to socialize with new friends. Such as hanging out in the cinema room, playing ping-pong or pool, or just catching up by the couches; these areas opened my opportunities to meeting new people from the University who I never would have met at Fresher’s or in my course. It is also in the perfect location – only a 10-minute walk from the University of Aberdeen and just a 10-minute walk to the city center: best of both worlds!
Aberdeen is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. From the cobblestone streets of Old Aberdeen to the stunning beaches along the coastline, every corner of the city is just picturesque. My weekdays were filled with exploring new cafes, pubs, and Aberdeen’s exquisite nightlife. While my weekends were spent hiking through the Scottish Highlands and visiting ancient castles (which some were only a short drive away)! I love this walkable city that is filled with delicious local bakeries alongside fair-trade cafes. I love it for its unlimited access to pubs and clubs. As well as its incredible beaches. I love taking a stroll down Aberdeen’s Beach Front. After grabbing a coffee and dessert from one of the carts at the beach. I would plop myself down at one of the benches and look out at the beautiful, peaceful sea – which is sometimes filled with dogs playing by the sand. As a nature lover, I am always keen to spot wildlife. So, I jumped at the chance when I was told about seal watching at Newburgh Seal Beach, only 20 minutes north of Aberdeen. The Greyhope Bay Cafe in Aberdeen is another wonderful cafe with the opportunity to see marine life. A historic site of Torry Battery offers panoramic views of the coast and is the best place in the UK to spot dolphins from the shore. The cafe even provides its guests with binoculars!
Aberdeen is regarded as a safe and welcoming city. I can confidently say that I have felt nothing more than safe and comfortable while in Aberdeen. The city’s well-lit streets, efficient public transit system, and the University's safety app contribute to a sense of security. It has a strong sense of community and a very low crime rate. It has offered me a peaceful environment for me to explore the city during the day or night.
Beyond Aberdeen’s breathtaking sceneries, Aberdeen’s warm and welcoming community adds to my sense of belonging here. The city’s rich history and medieval architecture and museums, adds to the city’s mystery and curiosity. Whether sipping on a cup of tea or locally brewed coffee in a cozy cafe, strolling through Seaton Park from campus, or enjoying the lively atmosphere of its traditional pubs, I found that Aberdeen offers a balance between tradition and modernity. I absolutely love it here!
While my time abroad was one of the best experiences of my life, it had its struggles too. Adapting to a new culture, being away from loved ones, and having to navigate life in a foreign country is not easy. But, this experience helped me grow into an independent, resilient, and adaptable young woman. Overcoming these challenges made me feel a sense of accomplishment that, overall, boosted my morale and confidence in all aspects of my life. Because if I can do it, anyone can!
Reflecting on my own journey abroad has reminded me of just how amazing this experience has been. I can confidently say that I have not only gained a world-class education from the University of Aberdeen in a degree that I am extremely passionate about while being taught by the top experts in my field, but I have also gained many new memories, long-life friendships, and experiences that will shape my life for years to come. Studying abroad has ignited a lifelong love of learning and curiosity about the world and the people in it and I have Across the Pond to thank for it!
I am studying in the UK for the first time for law school. I love learning and experiencing new things as a student and person. As a first-year law student, I have learned a lot about myself and my personal development.
The atmosphere of the university campus is a new experience for me, however; it is one that is helping me as an individual to understand how to grow as a new adult.
Studying in the UK has allowed me many opportunities, including travel, and meeting new people that forced me to look at things from a new perspective and through a new lens. Living only a short train ride away from Brighton has given me the freedom to experience the city as much as I want, but still have the choice to stay on campus if I want. That choice has allowed me to spend as much or as little time in Brighton as I want.
The university has been able to help me as a new international student and not be as worried about the new experience that I have this year. Many contacts have aided my knowledge of how to best my experience, and if I have any questions, I don’t feel alone in this experience.
Choosing to study abroad, and specifically study in the UK has opened up my perspective for the future, and the opportunities I have going forward.
Here you will find a collection of posts written and curated just for you as a Canadian student considering your study abroad options or preparing to begin your studies in the UK. You can scroll down to view our blog posts (most recent listed at the top) or you can use the dropdown menu to select a category of interest.
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I had stumbled across an advertisement for Across The Pond while I was scrolling through Facebook. I was working a full time job, saving up to move to the UK to pursue professional actor training with one specific conservatoire in mind, and had not truly considered using, or even finding, help to make the application process easier. So the tab sat open for weeks until I filled the form in and started talking to my advisor, who was very helpful. It took me a few months to make the decision fully, but when I was ready, my advisor was there - and with a list of universities with courses that fit what I had told her. Although my first choice was not on the list of universities that Across The Pond work with, she was still able to help with that application as well as the ones I had chosen off of the tailored list. The starting process of all of this and how easy it was, was what really made me make that first step that I had been putting off for a few years. From start to finish, my advisor was there with all the information I needed and constant communication - there was never a time where I waited days and wondered if she would ever respond. I am still impressed with how quickly she had pulled everything together, always making sure everything was set up by the next day at the latest.
Although I had not been selected for the university I had originally set my heart on, I did get accepted, and later I confirmed, to Royal Holloway, University of London. Funnily enough, this university was a last minute choice, as there was a change with the UCAS system and how applying to conservatoires and universities were divided, so I was able to choose one more university to apply for. When my advisor had told me this, I headed back to the list, scrolled through quickly, saw a course that said Drama with Film, quickly read the snapshot on the course and added it to my choices. With that done, I waited for auditions and decisions.
Once I had gotten all the decisions back on UCAS, I made my decision quickly and chose Royal Holloway. I had been accepted to other universities, some with more societies I would have liked, some that had been joint degrees, but ultimately I chose Royal Holloway due to the distance from London - a great idea for someone trying to get in to the creative industry, but not directly in London which would make finding accommodation more expensive and challenging.
This was the most challenging part, truly. I confirmed my choice in March, which meant I had to do a lot of waiting. I had to wait until accommodation forms opened, before I knew what the tuition was and before I could pay it. I waited months before knowing the day I could move in - I got the email around a month and a half before the move in date. Even though the waiting was painful for me, I just wanted to pack and book flights as soon as possible, have every detail organized down to the minute. Right after I had confirmed my choice but before the accommodation forms opened, I was looking through RHUL’s site and found the course Drama with Acting, and kicked myself for not doing a deeper dive before choosing. I emailed the department quickly, hoping that I would be able to be switched to the course that would be more beneficial to me. I did not receive a response, but when I had checked UCAS during that week I did find that my choice had been updated, and I was elated. From the time I had confirmed my choice, until the day my flight took off for Heathrow airport, I watched all the videos on YouTube I could find about this university. And all the TikToks. And the Instagram posts. And read all the Student Rooms forums. I was excited!
Now, Royal Holloway has this wonderful set-up right before term starts, and it’s for the international students. A few days before term, the international students can move in to their accommodation and attend some informative sessions on how to settle in the UK, and it’s aptly named ‘New To The UK’. In 2022 the move-in date was September 14th for the New To The UK group, including a shuttle service from Heathrow to the university, and the move in dates for regular students started September 16. Although I had missed a few sessions due to the jetlag I experienced, I did meet people that I am still friends with now, almost a year on. This is a worthwhile experience and really helps those students who aren’t accustomed to the UK system.
If you look at the offerings for accommodation, Royal Holloway has some great
on-campus and off-campus options. I was lucky and was able to move in to Wedderburn. The building is with Gowar and is down by the sports fields, down a little hill with lovely scenery (when spring comes around, you can watch the small deer wander around from your room). The room is spacious with storage under the bed, a desk drawer, a desk cabinet, a floor to almos ceiling shelving unit, a 3 shelf unit over the desk and a huge wardrobe. There is also a giant board over half of the desk where you can pin all the important things, and a large window to shed light on the spacious desk. Wedderburn rooms have an en-suite, which is something I considered most important when listing which accommodations were my top choices. There are 8 rooms to a floor and a shared kitchen, the university also leaves a little welcome basket in the kitchen that includes a deck of playing cards, informative pamphlets and an empty cleaning rota form to help out the students.
My time in Wedderburn was great, I adored my room and I almost wish I had spent more time in it. Unlike a lot of YouTubers and TikTokers, I did not get along well with my flatmates. There was nothing wrong, we just never clicked. I do believe that they all got along well and went out together, but I never reached out once I realized they wouldn’t reach out after those first few weeks. For me, this was fine, as I had many difficult things happening during the first 2 months which made it hard to balance the friends I had from the New To The UK program, from my course and my actual coursework.
Beyond the space specifics and the flatmates, RHUL has a wonderful Hall Life team and they run a ton of events through out the year. I did not attend any of them but there was a lot of crafting, gaming and helpful sessions such as budgeting and cooking.
There are 2 main places on campus for partying - Medicine and the SU. Medicine is open most nights of the week with themed party nights and some good drink deals, I had gone a few times and it does get crowded on popular nights. I also know a few people that didn’t miss a single night there. The SU is the Student Union themed nights, usually on Fridays and they are the place where most of the Fresher’s Week parties are that are included in the wristband.
There are many food places and a university pub, all of these places are great hang out spots and can get really busy on the right nights.
There are also a ton of active societies and sports teams, you can easily fill your time with any events you want. I, personally, got a little overwhelmed at all of the options and the fact that a lot of them were on the same night or their taster sessions were during something else, so I did not join many societies. I found the drama and theatre based societies were fun and lively, as well as the LGBTQ+ society - which I had become Social Media Coordinator for by term 2.
The university has a lot of life, you just have to look for it and be open to doing whatever is on next.
Life in the UK is very different to life in Canada. I had thought that the main reason why I would have a hard time fitting in was because I was a mature student - barely, I was 22 when I started. Instead, I found that I was struggling with figuring out how the courses were taught. The education system before university is very different between the UK and North America, and having a lot of fellow students continually commenting on the similarity between the course material and what they had done in sixth form or college felt a bit like I was behind. The UK allows students to specialise more before university that I had been allowed in my high school experience, my school consisted of basic classes such as Biology, Chemistry, Math, Algebra, Social Studies and English, sprinkled with some extras like Computer Tech, Foods, Woodshop and the Automotive shop. I did find a few of the other international students had done the Foundation Year, so they had been at the university the year before and had already had the time to specialise and catch up a bit. Also, Royal Holloway starts term so late in September (Fresher’s is the third week in) and summer and spring term finish so early, I don’t know what to do with all the time. Having such long breaks between things is uncommon to me.
Another difference was the fact that the entire campus was cashless. Even though I had heard it in passing from the emails sent out by the university, it hadn’t sunk in until I got there. At home, I had always carried around cash, and now there isn’t much point to it because many stores and services in the UK are cashless.
The things I’m still working on are small things, like trying to figure out how to exchange my license so that I can drive in the UK (I grew up driving, going on road trips and being dependant on my own transportation, this year of transit and Ubers has cemented in how much I love having my own transportation), and how taxes work. There was a small learning curve when I found out the hard way that English Mustard is not like American Mustard, and the easiest way to get hot dogs are in a glass bottle or prepackaged. Although, it is lovely that I can get to London just by hopping on one train, or get to work in another town by bus.
I study Drama with Acting. Although it is not a conservatoire, we have a list of real world industry professionals teaching us that still work in the industry. My course also allows for networking with the MA Directors through rehearsals in second year (looking forward to it!). The academic 2022/23 year was the first year that this course has been taught at RHUL, so we are the guinea pigs in a sense. Through out this first year, we have focused a lot on devising and starting with the basics. We were able to learn more about some lecturers through a course that allowed them to come and speak about their specialism once a week, and through this we were able to gleen what we would be learning in those classes in second or third year. The summer term is a fun time, since we didn’t have exams we had a lovely summer festival. This festival included the department bringing in industry professionals for workshops, talks and networking, as well as showcases of student work. I would really suggest that students take full advantage of every opportunity you can, as a lot of learning at this university is down to the individual through workshops put on by the departments Student Workshop, the drama societies, and all the recommended readings (there are so many readings that I am still going through them).
Although the first year modules are fun, I found that the workshops and opportunities I had signed up for outside of the course were what really inspired me and gave me more of the conservatoire feel that I wanted.
In my spare time, I love perusing the charity shops down in Egham and Staines. I love going out and walking around and finding new things. I love being able to take a day trip in to London. I love spending time in the library and catching up on reading. I love hanging around campus at either the coffee shop in the library (Cafe On The Square) or the Boilerhouse, or even Founders Field on a nice day. Most of the time though, I love sitting around at home, watching a show or two, thinking about all the other things I could be doing - like playing my guitar, doing a small craft, playing video games, reading, putting together a new YouTube video (I’m currently doing a university series) etc - and scrolling through my phone endlessly instead and probably taking a well deserved nap. The student life is a good life.
There are quite a few things I would have liked to know before moving and starting my course. I had wanted a reading list for my course months before it started, instead, I had received one the week before. I wish I could have known that my card would stop working and I would be sorting out my banking mess for almost 2 months. I wish I had been able to get to know my flatmates before moving in, maybe we would have gotten along better. I wish I had known that this was the first year the course was being taught, going in with the knowledge that it isn’t a perfected course with years of experience, instead it’s an experiment to see what works and what doesn’t. I wish I had a refresher course in writing academic essays, like writing one, getting marked and then being able to go over and understand in depth what’s expected - since I hadn’t written an essay for 4 years, and there were different standards for it in high school. I was working a trades job before I left for university, and I felt like I had been dropped in the deep end, struggling to figure it all out. I would have loved to know the dates that I would know other things by, like when move in day was so I could book my flight in advance, if there was course stuff during Fresher’s Week, what Fresher’s Week was, when I would know what accommodation I would be in.
Although there are many things I would have liked to know before starting university, I am so very happy at how things have gone and where I have ended up. From a place that was a last minute addition, it has been great. Now, as I wait for second year to start, I can’t wait to get back to learning.
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