Students' and Parents' Experiences
The Best University
University: probably the biggest decision in life so far. So much to choose from and decide between, compromise with and, overall, stress about. You put so much effort into cramming for your exams to get into University, drinking copious amount of coffee and not seeing anything but books, paper and computer screens. But it all goes the second the teacher says, 'finish your sentence, and put your pens down' at the end of your last exam. And that´s it: everything you've known for the last 18 years has gone. You´re free.
You change your lifestyle and get into a new pattern of not wearing a uniform, watching mid-day TV, eating meals at random times, and just generally `appreciating´ life. And then, as if you were shot into the future, its time to stop all that, collect your belongings and arrange them in some stranger´s bedroom in order to do it all again.
Of course, the transition doesn´t go as smoothly as that. I worried a lot about making new friends and losing contact with the close ones made over the last few years. But everyone was in exactly the same position as me, in a strange place with strange faces and no comforts. The number of people I met in the first week was tremendous. A little tip: when someone tells you their name say it over in your head at least 3 times as you feel slightly embarrassed when you see them next time or introduce them to someone else. Or, if that fails, just call them Tom, Chris or Kate and chances are you´re probably right.
After the first week of running around, emptying my bag full of flyers and freebies every hour, I started to appreciate what parents actually did. The big pile of laundry in the corner didn´t seem to be going anywhere: it just sat there waiting, expecting me to do something about it. My stomach started sending me more messages than before, as if it hadn´t eaten that day. I realised how expensive cheese is, and that bread only lasts a few days instead of years, as it seemed to before.
I´m starting to get on top of all these little things. It´s taken a good 6 weeks, but I´ve found out that I have laundry facilities on my floor so the basket only moans on Sundays! Also, that Tesco has a good home-brand cheddar and my stomach likes the fact that I invested in an alarm clock as it now gets a lovely full English every morning.
As for the University, I have no complaints whatsoever. The accommodation is superb, both in location and quality. The student Union was nominated the best in the country and it really shows. The events are well organised and the team are easy to talk to, nothing is too much for any of them. There are plenty of clubs and societies for all needs from Ultimate Frisbee to the Chess Club. The teaching and sporting facilities I have seen so far are some of the best. And you can basically get as much or as little as you want in any area of University life.
But one of the best things about Sheffield itself is how clean and green it is. It´s almost scary how such a big city can have so little litter and so many trees, especially with its high student population (I think it´s around 50,000 when including both universities). It just makes it the best major city to live in England. It has everything you could possibly need, no matter what kind of person you are. It´s got the shops, the nightlife, the culture, the music and societies, the Peak District, and, last of all, the best University.
What else could you possibly want?
And yes, the food in catered halls is very good.
Kristopher Smith
Philosophy
First Year