Hello everyone! Since this is my first blog post, I thought I’d introduce myself. I’m Julia and I’m a second year Film and TV Production student from Austria.
Now that I’m nearing the end of my fourth term at uni and Christmas is just around the corner (yay!), it’s quite fun to look back at my first year and see how much I’ve grown and developed since I started university. I’m at a point in my degree where I can confidently say that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been about my academic career. Even though I took a huge leap of faith when deciding to study here, it was definitely the right choice. Here’s why I find studying at York so rewarding.
1. The course is challenging and intellectually stimulating
Since I’ve started second year, there hasn’t been a single moment in which I haven’t been busy (except for the times I was in denial). I’m going to be honest with you, this degree is far from easy. There is no doubt that the learning curve is steep, even now that I’m almost halfway through my degree. I like a good challenge and I think being pushed out of your comfort zone can be beneficial for your personal development.
The course is the perfect balance between theory and practice. There is an array of different modules and assessments, which allows you to explore your strengths. Modules look at the industry from both creative and technical angles. You’ll be asked to write essays, pitches and scripts, and operate audio and image equipment. In second year, you’ll even get to make your own short film. I’ve ended up absolutely loving aspects of production that I didn’t even know existed, and I get to learn new things every day.
2. I get to make telly every week
By far my favourite module this year is my Studio Production module. Every week, we get to spend four hours in a state of the art television studio, putting together a TV show. It’s such a great opportunity to get a feel for the working dynamic in multi-camera production. The thrill of producing an as-live programme is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. I love the dedication and teamwork that goes into each show and there is nothing more rewarding than getting good feedback when you’ve put so much effort in.
3. The department staff
There have been some times over the last few terms where I’ve felt, well, a little bit lost. And every single time, the staff were brilliant. Whether it’s a supervisor, a lecturer or a tutor, I know I can always see them if I have any questions about assignments or the course in general. I find it incredibly reassuring to know that they’re there to help whenever you’re stuck.
4. Campus
When I was applying for universities, I knew I wanted to study at a campus university. Where I’m from, there aren’t many institutions based around a campus,so the concept intrigued me. In my opinion, you get so much more out of your first year at uni if you live on campus. I’m fairly shy, and living in a block helped me make friends quickly. My college, Vanbrugh, is central to the Campus West which means amenities and the libraries were 2 minutes away. Additionally, the collegiate system is a great way to get involved: I’m part of my college’s committee, which organises tons of different events for students and offers support to college members.
However, by far my favourite thing about York’s campus is its wildlife. A variety of different waterfowl from ducks and geese to grebe and swans inhabit the campus lake. Whenever I’m stressed out, I go for a walk around the lake and watch the birds drifting across the water. It’s quite relaxing and I’ve made many a feathery friend on those walks.
5. The City
I’m from the countryside, and the prospect of moving to a city for uni was daunting. For me, York is the perfect compromise: One one hand, there is a lot of beautiful, rural countryside just outside of town, and we’re just a stone’s throw away from the Yorkshire Dales. One the other hand, the city centre is lively and the streets are bustling
with people. Whether you’re on the trails of Romans and Vikings, or looking for quirky shops, York offers something for everyone to explore. If you come here for an open day, I highly recommend popping into the centre to have a stroll through York’s historic cobbled streets. If you’d like to get a better feel for what York is like, have a look at this video.
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