Why did you choose to study at Newcastle University?
As soon as I visited on an open day, I knew that Newcastle would be a city that I was going to love. Everybody was so friendly - the staff, the locals and the current students.
Although university buildings are spread around the city, everywhere is walkable - a big plus for students. Each building is relatively close to a Metro station too, for those days that you don't feel like walking or when the northern weather is living up to its stereotype!
The city also has something for everyone. It's very close to Northumberland national park, which is a great place to go hiking on weekends. Newcastle also has a great selection of pubs and clubs.
Has Newcastle University lived up to your expectations?
Definitely. I have made great friends at university and have no regrets about coming to Newcastle. There is a clear sense of community within the city and university. You really feel at home here.
What has most impressed you about the University?
The facilities. For my degree, computer science, we use the Urban Sciences Building. It's a high-tech building, and you can tell that it was designed with students in mind. My favourite part of the building is that each desk has a computer hidden inside of it, along with a 1440p monitor. The university also has schemes in place for those who may not have access to technology such as laptops.
How supportive are academic staff on your degree programme?
Something that Newcastle does really well is creating a fantastic support network. In your first week of university, you will learn about all of the different staff and schemes that you have access to. Everybody is assigned a personal tutor, who you will have meetings with throughout the year to see how you’re doing academically and personally.
Lecturers really encourage you to reach out and email them if you’re ever struggling. There are also university-wide sessions that take place, such as Maths-Aid, which take place every day.
What has been your favourite experience at Newcastle?
My favourite experience in Newcastle so far would be getting to meet so many amazing people and trying new things. Something that Newcastle does really well is encouraging students to do something out of their comfort zone. The students union has "give it a go" sessions, where you can try a new hobby for a very low cost. These sessions are a great way to meet like-minded students.
What advice would you give to your younger self about university life?
Don't worry about joining university as much. Everybody is in the same boat. Leave your comfort zone and talk to as many people as possible - it's great practice and nobody will think you're weird; they will probably be grateful for you making the first move).
