Why did you choose to study at Newcastle University?
The guardian ranked it fourth in the country for earth and marine science. The course programme looked very broad, insightful and catered for the future. Especially the sustainability modules. The faculty and small city lifestyle for university also greatly appealed to me.
Has Newcastle University lived up to your expectations?
The University experience has been beyond what I expected when I arrived. I did not know what I would find in terms of a social atmosphere but everyone that I have met here, students, professors, administrative officers, and more, have been welcoming and helpful.
I enjoy how easy it is to communicate with my professors online or in person. I love being a performance athlete for the University and still being able to keep up with my academic duties.
I absolutely adore the campus and love spending time on it, whether it is studying or just chilling in the open-air atriums.
What has most impressed you about the University?
I was part of what will be known as the COVID-19 batch since I started in the year 2020-21. The way the University managed to provide a good experience wherein I excelled socially and academically is what impressed me the most. The flexibility in how they changed our methods of assessment based on us having a year of studying online throughout was amazing.
Since returning to normalcy post COVID, the active platform for inclusion of diversity has really impressed me. The Student Union has societies for people from all different backgrounds and communities, along with social outreach events to increase awareness and sensitivity about these societies and others.
How supportive are academic staff on your degree programme?
All my professors are incredibly helpful and open to in-person meetings whenever I ask for. The low teacher-student ratio in my department allows for more open interaction during seminars.
They let us know of their office hours at the start of term making it easy to drop by any time in case we need to urgently or arrange meetings via email. Online, I can interact with them over Microsoft Teams or Email and receive prompt responses to any problems academic or even personal, if need be, sometimes.
As a student athlete, I receive tremendous support from my professors in helping me make up for any seminars or lecture material that I may miss out on.
What has been your favourite experience at Newcastle?
Dealing with real life problem simulations in class has probably been one of my favourites and most important experiences.
For one module, I was able to interact with a huge company, Bowmer & Kirkland. They tested a multidisciplinary group of us on our ability to contribute to the future of sustainable development using our own specialties from the different degrees we all belonged to.
This involved practical application of our various theoretical backgrounds whilst keeping to real life limitations like economic constraints and government policies. It also taught us how to work together on projects with people with different backgrounds and abilities.
What advice would you give to your younger self about university life?
Nothing honestly. I enjoy coming to a new place not knowing what to expect and was lucky enough to have such a good experience till now. Newcastle as a city is very welcoming and the University provides something for everybody to get into.
