EVOLUTION OF THE STUDENT
By Siobhan Brophy
First came the fresher, and then came the second year, maybe the placement year, the final year and the master of academics!
You take university for granted in the first year, you have just moved into your own independence and have a healthy bank account and oh so many clubs to try out. In your second year you realise that you shouldn't have spent many nights out and left your studies behind as your work load doubles.
Placement year, well you fancied a change or its part of your course to take a year in the work place. Final year, your dissertation will own you. Finally, you do a master degree; you don't want to leave university so you become a specialist in your subject.
I found five students to talk to the9AMLecture about what feelings they have felt throughout different stages of their own university lifestyle.
Meet our fresher
Name: Lynn Nyemba
Subject: Media
Leaving home hasn’t been too different for Lynn. She is the oldest child and her sisters are much younger than her so she has always been really independent.
Although trouble knocked on her door with her flat mates, they were not getting along at all and the flat was always a mess.
“It was the first time I’ve had to confront a group of people I don’t know that well.”
She also had to get used to being alone more than she would be at home because at university you get more time alone than you realise.
Lynn is very excited for the next two years at university as she is going to be living with friends and cannot wait.
The advice Lynn gives to other fresher’s is: I would say it's really important to get involved in a lot of different things during the first few months. That way you meet lots of people and get to see different parts of the city you live in.
Welcome our second year
Name: Caitlin O'Connell
Subject: Photography
Caitlin believes that being a second year student has given her more independence with her work which she thinks is great.
“I no longer have to be walked through everything but it is difficult, but I can open my wings and fly”
Caitlin has a lot of roll in her camera and I s very excited to start her finally year project and she tells me the secret of what it is, but I can’t tell you.
Okay maybe a hint. Since university she been indulging in pole fitness and her project includes that.
Her best moment so far is being part of societies as she’s met friends that she never would have met otherwise.
Caitlin’s advice to other students is: Get involved with everything that is going on. Enjoy everything and take each day as it comes but do make sure your university work is your number on priority.
Give a shout to our placement year student!
Name: Beth Nutter
Subject: Accounting and Finance
Beth had great support from the staff at the business school: “they greatly encouraged us to do a placement as it will give us experience to a get a job once we finish”
Being on placement has given Beth the push she believes was needed to help her in her final year.
She is ready to attack final year with a full swing, as she has missed the social life and the freedom that comes with being at university.
“To be honest I am looking forward to my social life again, as I haven’t been able to go out as much whilst working so I can’t wait to put the calculator away”
Beth’s advice for other students taking a placement year: The best advice I can give is to look for a placement early I left mine to the last minute and nearly didn't get one
Holler at our final year.
Name: Paige Robinson
Subject: Film Studies
Being a final year for Paige is thrilling but vey nerve racking.
“The other two years seemed easy and I feel I have been tricked and the final year is so stressful.”
She will miss the atmosphere and support she had whist at university also being carefree but most of all her student loan will be missed the most.
Best three moments were:
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Moving in on fresher’s week – the excitement of living alone
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Finding her new found confidence
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Finding out where she wants to be in life
Worst three moments were:
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Packing up and going home every summer
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Finding a rat in the kitchen
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Dissertation time as it meant no friends.
The advice Paige offers to those entering final year: Be organised and get it done but let yourself chill out also
Lastly the master
Name: Charlotte Roberts
Subject: MA Criminal Justice & Criminology
Charlotte decided to do a master degree because she wanted to specify in a certain area that she wishes to go into when she has finished, and her masters will help her achieve this.
“I think this year is more stressful than final year because it is all self-paid so to fail would mean wasting the money you have needed to save to be able to do the course”
Being thrown in at the deep end from day one, she feels as she hasn’t been able to prepare as much as she did from doing her previous degree but luckily she chose to do a subject area which she has previous experience in.
“I find it more challenging than a normal degree because in my experience with being at Leeds, they give you the assignment with little guidance of how to approach I. whereas for my degree we often had loads of help for each individual essay.”
The advice that Charlotte offers to those thinking about doing a masters: Pursue a Masters it will greatly enhance your chances to achieve your occupational goals. It is a great experience to look into something that you find interesting in greater detail than you would for a normal degree.
There we have it, the evolution throughout the student years. Don't forget if you're struggling or worried that is what your student support team are there for, they are always happy to help.