University: Expectations vs Reality

Nothing can fully prepare you for the life-changing, career-altering experience of higher education, but it’s best to keep an open mind

University: Expectations vs Reality (UWE )

The university experience means different things to different people but how do expectations for new students measure up against the reality of life on campus? Asked whether university was all it was cracked up to be, three students from the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE Bristol) reveal the biggest surprises to starting university.

First-year marketing communications student James Bruton admits being nervous in the run-up to start of term:

James Bruton

“I was absolutely terrified. The prospect of moving into a flat with five strangers made me quite anxious as I didn’t really know what to expect. The stereotypical student lifestyle of up-all-night parties has never appealed to me so I thought I might be the odd one out. Thankfully though, it didn’t take me long to realise that there were just as many people like me, as those who like to go out a lot, so I felt slightly more at ease.

“Everybody is in the same boat when they come to university, which is something I hadn’t fully appreciated when I first started. Small things can make a big difference if you’re in a new group of people – I make a conscious effort to never get my phone out when I’m waiting to go into a class so I’m forced to start conversations with other people waiting to go in. It’s a tactic that works well for me and helps me to meet new people.”

Third-year English literature student Lucy Gossage moved from Leicester to start at UWE Bristol having decided last minute not to take a year out and instead apply for university through clearing:

Lucy Gossage

“I didn’t really have any time to panic or get nervous, I was just excited about moving in and meeting lots of new people.”

“When I first started my course, I was shocked at how much reading was required, not just the amount of texts, but the number of secondary sources needed as well. I soon realised it’s a lot more about your own learning, so I quickly became more organised to make sure I got it all done.”

“I was really surprised at how quirky Bristol is. It has a really diverse music scene so meeting people with similar tastes to mine was really easy and meant I was able to enjoy nights out more.”

Robin Clawley is one term into an occupational therapy (BSc) Hons, his second undergraduate degree at UWE Bristol having first graduated with in Sociology in 2004:

“First time around I went to university because that’s what I felt I should do after A-levels, but this time, I had very specific criteria for what I wanted to get out of a degree. I did lots of research and chose the course that would lead to the career I wanted; and the research paid off. Since week one I’ve known I made the right decision – the content is spot on and the lecturers, being practitioners themselves, are able to impart knowledge from their own experiences.

“Being a mature student has its advantages, particularly being able to apply real-life experiences to what you’re learning. Coming back to university I now appreciated the full number of opportunities available here beyond just getting a grade – for example, I was recently appointed as the vice-president of the Occupational Therapy Society, which is exposing me to a whole host of new challenges.”

University is rich with opportunities to tailor a student experience exactly how you wish. Whatever the pre-conceptions, student years are what you make them.

This content was written and controlled by the University of the West of England