Students' and Parents' Experiences
The Good Life
Feeling nervous and apprehensive, I opened the car door and had my first look at the place that was to become home. Although the size of any halls of residence can feel intimidating this was quickly replaced by a wave of relief, as I spotted two of last years residents on hand to help me find my room and give me some initial tips. Then, in a whirlwind of activity I collected my hall card (essential if you want to be fed) and my room key and unpacked a car that was groaning under the weight of all my "essentials". It was time to say goodbye to the folks. This was difficult, even more so for me, who has never strayed far from mum´s cooking or dad´s ever reliable taxi service but before I had to time to become down-heartened, I was immediately engaging in conversation with the lads down the corridor and the girls on the corridor above.
Tip: once you realise everyone else is just as nervous as you are its not half as scary as before.
That was my first day, which ended with a night of fun and games in the hall bar. The bar has become my home after seven o´clock on weekdays and those very same people who I met in my first few hours at university are now my closest friends. University is friendly especially Sheffield as it´s in Yorkshire renowned for the friendliness of anyone who lives here. Everyone looks out for everyone else: when we go out nobody is left alone, your friends become a surrogate family.
When the initial hubbub of Intro Week was over, I found that it was not only down the pub I could meet new people and have a good time. My lectures are interesting and seminars provide the opportunity to learn as well as to meet people who are studying in the same course, which immediately provides grounds for conversation. Also, sporting clubs or the fantastic "Give it a Go" scheme at Sheffield provide you with the opportunity to do something different and exciting everyday. My archery is in need of a considerable amount of improvement but I still enjoy the fun element of all our training sessions.
Ultimately, university is the most exciting and challenging thing I have ever done; I have transformed from a nervous Fresher to a confident member of the university community. The friends and experiences I have gained so far will undoubtedly stay with me forever and I expect there to be many more during the adventure of being an undergraduate. I cannot explain how good life is at Sheffield only say that in Britain´s safest city everybody has a fun and safe time and, perhaps most importantly of all, we have it together.
Christopher Wilson
History
First Year