Before moving to the University of York, I attended a small high school and sixth form in rural mid-Wales, where class sizes ranged from three to thirty students. Travelling thirty extra miles a week to nearby colleges was common and everyone knew each other well. I didn’t truly realise how different my school experience was until I came here and met people with different backgrounds. Many seemed more used to the university environment than I was.
Meeting people
Even though York is a relatively small city, it still feels like a huge change from my quiet countryside home. Coming here has really allowed me to ‘Find my people.’ I’ve developed amazing new friendships and met so many brilliant people—both students and staff—which was much harder back home in a small community where everyone already knew each other!
Getting about
One of the most striking differences I found moving to the city was how easy it is to travel around. At home, it would take me an hour’s drive to reach my nearest large town, let alone a city. Here it takes me less than half an hour to walk from the campus to the city centre and just over to cycle to the opposite side of the city. Transport is great too! So far, I’ve never had to wait more than twenty minutes for a bus, even during busy campus commutes. However, wait times can vary, so I tend to avoid public transport during peak hours anyway.
If I have ever had to take a taxi after a night out in the city centre, they usually arrive extremely quickly. They can sometimes be cheaper than the bus when sharing rides with friends too. However, as an Environment & Geography student I’ll always be a strong advocate for the zero-emission bus service. Getting between York and home is easy, too. The city has direct train links to London, Leeds, and Birmingham, and sits on major cross-country routes like the Edinburgh–Plymouth line.
Ease of transportation means that everything feels much closer. I find all my usual activities far more accessible, from going shopping to developing new hobbies. Having all the resources available on my doorstep has made me feel more independent, as I don’t need to rely on anyone to give me a lift. I’m more able to meet up with friends for trips around York and it has given me the ability to try new things without needing to think about the extra cost and worrying about how to get there.
Workload and free time
The overall workload for my degree isn’t too different from A-Levels, though my course is less intense than some. The main difference is that a much larger portion is self-study, with fewer hours spent in lectures and seminars.
I have developed better discipline over how I manage myself, especially with my time-management which has dramatically improved. Some days I end up being so busy that I get out my paper diary and meticulously block out my day.
A big part of my time is taken up by extra-curriculars and activities outside of academia. I love having so much more freedom to choose how to spend every week rather than being rigidly timetabled. It gives me time to pursue new interests and widen my social circle, which, alongside being able to focus on studying a subject I love, is my favourite thing about having come to York.
Finally…
Wherever you’re coming from, moving to university is a big change, but it doesn’t have to be scary at all! Building a support network in your ‘home away from home’ is easy when everyone around you is eager to make friends. Plus, establishing a good routine between study and free time quickly removes the stress of adapting to university life. If you’re like me and come from a rural area, you might be just as excited about the many choices of transport!
Moving to university is a fantastic opportunity to gain freedom over your time and become more independent. With all the resources at your front door, enjoying it all couldn’t be easier!
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