Choosing the right uni for you can be a hard, tedious decision making process. But I’m going to try my best to help you all through this and narrow it down to the key point you should consider while looking around, after all you’ll be living there for 3 or even 4 years!
Currently choosing uni’s myself I know what it’s like, dragging your parents all over the country (quite literally) looking at uni’s that you quite possibly might not even go to, but at the end of the day it’s something that has to be done.
1. MAKE SURE THE UNI DOES YOUR COURSE!!
Now I know this sounds obvious but some people (including myself) while looking online at all the universities will get drawn into a uni just because it looks pretty. Although thats a huge bonus (in my opinion anyway) that’s not what you're looking at the uni for. If it doesn't do the course you're after, don't be disheartened there are PLENTY more universities out there that will be perfect for you.
2. DISTANCE FROM HOME
Now we’re not all the same when it comes to leaving our parents at home, but if you're like me then you’ll want to move away from your hometown (but not too far) and experience the ‘real world’ for yourself as well as having an increased amount of independence, but with independence it also means having to do your own washing, cleaning AND cooking, as well as the shopping as well as paying your bills on time and theres probably a lot more to come!! So maybe staying closer to home isn’t such a bad idea after all! Another thing to bare in mind would also be whether or not you wanted to travel home every now and then, if so make sure you take that in to consideration when completing your UCAS application.
3. LOCATION
For me while looking at universities another key factor was the location of the university itself, i.e. how far away it is from the town centre, supermarkets, nightlife etc.
4. CAMPUS OR CITY UNIVERSITY
A way to narrow down your options while looking at universities is to decide whether or not you want your potential uni to be a campus university; where everything is all in the one place, such as lectures, shops, accommodation, basically like your very own educational village.. full of students. Or if you would prefer a city university; where the campus is spread across the city as well as your accommodation. Each have their own benefits e.g. if you chose a campus uni everything is all in the one place, you can have longer lie ins! And all your friends are close by, but if thats not for you then a city uni has just as many benefits for example: you get to explore the city, get a taste of what its like to be fully independent and learn how to manage your time and getting places on time too.
5. LIVING EXPENCES
Although at university you get a student loan to help with the finance but depending on where you study most of that will go on your accommodation and bills. I would recommend trying to get a part time job to allow you to buy your food, clothes, shoes, accessories and going out but if you don't need the extra money then just sit back and enjoy your new lifestyle.
Until next time,
Nadia
xo
Nadia
xo
