Factors To Think About When Picking a University

It is a hard time for any person when trying to pick your university.When deciding to pick a university, people seem to tell you the same factors to think about. These tend to be: 

How good is the university 

people will often choose a university based on its reputation. This is important as a good degree from a good reputable university should sort you out for the rest of your life. This is a good link to estabilish how good your university is http://extras.thetimes.co.uk/gooduniversityguide

 

Reputation of the course 

The reputation of the course is also important, if you go to the university with the best degree course for your subject. It will definitely make you stand out above the rest. To find this out you really need to talk to people in the industry and research your chosen degree. 

 

The 'feel' of it on your open days 

People say that you are able to get a feel from a university from the open days, and this should have a major factor on you choosing your university. 

These factors are good but in my personal opinion I believe that there is more to it than that. Here are my factors that should be taken into consideration

Make sure you like the place

Its alrite if a university has a lovely modern campus etc . But you need to make sure you like the actual city or town it is in. What I would personally recommend is once you have narrowed down your choices, go to some of these places for the weekend. Have a look around the place, go for a night out. This will give you a better idea of the place than one day at the university.. with them showing you all the best parts of the uni and not the bad parts. 

Find out what the average rent is 

The price of accommodation can be a factor. Try and find somewhere cheaper.This is easier said than done but it will make your life a lot more comfortable as you will have more disposable income. Places up north seem to be cheaper. I went to reading university and was paying £340 a month while a mate in Cardiff was paying £250 a month with half rent!!

 

Ensure the night life is up to scratch

A place with a good night life will keep you satisfied all through uni. Personally I went to a uni with an absolute pants nightlife, and within 3 months I was bored of it. I would definitely recommend going out in the place that you are considering going to uni before hand. 

 

One more tip is never listen to anyone on these open days. They will feed you so much crap to get you to go to uni. They will say that the nightlife is amazing !, and that the lecturers are really engaging when in fact they can hardly speak English. I would definitely recommend doing your own research into a place.

Some useful Links

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/universityguide 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/aug/21/best-worst-student-accommodation 

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/education/gooduniversityguide/ 

http://www.accommodationforstudents.com/studentblog.asp 

Some useful tips for Freshers at University

Freshers is a good time, you meet new people experience a new place and new surroundings.Being away from your parents, and being on your own often means that you may do things that you usually aren't accustomed to.Here are a few tips that if followed in your first year, it should mean that you have a good time.

Don't worry too much about the result you get in the first year
Right before we go ahead with this point.. I am not saying totally ditch your studies and get absolutely hammered every night ( even though a lot of people do that ), but a lot of people seem to worry too much about their result in first year... when in fact it doesn't count. Just ensure that you work hard in exam times and don't be too disheartened if you get a low mark in your coursework (as long as its above 40%) Make sure that in you go out and have a lot of fun in your first year, otherwise you will regret it when it comes to second and third year. ( Not going to lie.. first year is basically a gap year). This is the kinda stuff you should be concentrating on.



Be careful with your money 
Within the first year your student loan will feel like free money... and so will your overdraft. Try to be a bit more cautious with your money and don't go blowing 200 quid on fancy dress costumes like I did ! People seem to forget that they will have to pay for a deposit for their house, in the first year.. and more than likely will have to pay rent for your house in the summer term.



Have savings 
Going to uni with some back up money is a big help ! I would recommend it to everyone. It helps get you out of those sticky situations when money seems non existent, or when you need to pay for something and there is now way you can pay for it from your loan.



Buy your food Online
Buying your food online, helps you keep track of how much you are spending on food shops. Some of my mates in 1st year spent like 90 quid on a food shop ! By keeping track of it, it will allow more beer money in your budget.



Dont be the 'Annoying drunk'
Nothing is more annoying is a person who really cant handle there drink. When you feel the urge to either A: say " awwww look at me im soo drunk " and support yourself by wrapping yourself around the nearest boy. YOU ARE TOO DRUNK. Or B: you are at that stage in which you are unable to support yourself, and as a result fall down every 10 minutes ... YOU ARE TO DRUNK!! Being too drunk will not get you friends, it will only annoy people !



Get involved in the sports teams 
Getting involved in a sports team, or a society for that matter, is a great way to meet people outside of your halls and your course. Join something that you find fun or care about, and it will mean that you can go out with more people than just your house mates!