Starting university is one of the most exciting stages of your life. You’ll have time to try things you’ve never had a chance to do before and make friends that will last a lifetime.
We caught up with Nutrition student, Louisa, who has shared some of her experiences as a student living on Sutton Bonington Campus as well as some advice for settling in once you get here.
Nutrition student Louisa talks about her time living on Sutton Bonington and shares her advice for new students
Living on Sutton Bonington Campus
Like many Biosciences students, Louisa lived on Sutton Bonington Campus (SB) during her first year. While living on SB, she was able to meet lots of people from the start of Welcome Week and is continuing to make new friends well into her third year.
Louisa’s favourite social event in first year was the SB Dine-Ins. These dine-ins happen once or twice a term and are a formal, sit-down meal where everyone can get to know each other followed by a party for anyone who wants to carry on the fun.
Even if you don’t come to the SB Dine-Ins, you’ll still have the chance to meet lots of people from across all the Biosciences courses. In first year, lots of modules are open to people from different biosciences courses, so you’ll mingle with other courses during your lectures and labs as well as outside of class.
Louisa’s advice for first years
When you start university, it can feel like you need to make all your friends right away, but that's not the case. Louisa is still making new friends in third year, so don’t put pressure on yourself to find all your friends in the first week, or even the first term.
There are lots of opportunities to make new friends during the entire time you’re at university, so take your time and meet people at your own pace.
One thing Louisa definitely recommends doing during your first year is saying “yes” to anything and everything. This includes sports, societies and even social events happening around campus. It’s a great way to find new hobbies and help you settle into student life.
But while your first year should be filled with “yes” and the fun activities that follow, you need to remember to balance your time with some self-care and, of course, your studies.
