University Of Essex First Impressions

Before I arrived at the university of Essex I had a lot of doubts about coming to university, after reading forums posts by other undergrads complaining about how different university is and how they can't handle it.

When I arrived at the university I had mixed feelings at the time, I felt nervous and exited because its a new experience for me and it is so important that I succeed. I moved into the Meadows which is a brand new accommodation it looked amazing and the nerves started flowing away. It took around an hour for me to finish preparing my room with a lot of help from my parents, well more like they made me sit and watch them unpack everything for me. I only started to get to know my flatmates after my parents left they all seemed like friendly people and I was slowly feeling at ease that I had some good neighbours.    

The first week went pretty slowly for me because im not into clubbing so I was in my room a lot of the time because I still hadn't gotten to know my flatmates well enough yet. So the first week wasn't too bad we had a welcome lecture which was very informative and gave me another reason why I was so happy about picking the university of Essex.

Its week four now and I have gotten to know my flatmates better and im barely ever in my room now, it has even helped my improve my confidence to talk to others I don't know. Also I have had quiet a few lectures now and am starting the see the big differences between sixth form and university, university is all about independence your lecturer gives you the basic information and you need to look more deeper into it. Where as sixth form you are given all the information you need for all your assignments, also the deadlines are very strict in university it has to be on a certain date and you cant change that.

Overall university has been a great experience so far and I'm aiming to pass on the accelerated route. 

First impressions of uni

Before coming to the university I was nervous about leaving home but I have settled in quite well.  I had visited the campus before so it was not completely new to me.  It seems like a nice environment because I have everything on my doorstep including shops and restaurants and classrooms and also club activities. However I did find it difficult in the first few days to find the right room my classes were in, which was quite stressful. 

Before I came I found clubs and societies on the uni website such as films and e-sports and when I arrived I was glad to find that they are still going.  I think they are a good way of getting to know people.

The style of teaching here is not too much of a culture shock for me because in sixth form at high school I was expected to take notes the same as here.  But I used to find it difficult to get all the notes down in sixth form and I still do now.  Something that I use to help me with following lectures is to record them on a dictaphone or iPod so I can listen to them again later and check my notes are alright.

I am finding maths easy to understand at the moment as it is about the same as A level and the way of teaching is also about the same. Some of the new subjects are difficult and I know I will have to work hard on these but I know I can ask my mentors.  Another difference is that at uni I don’t know my classmates very well yet whereas at school I had been with the same people for more than five years.  I am looking forward to getting to know my classmates better and having a chance to socialise with them too.

The main culture shock for me is living away from home.  I have to be more independent about knowing where I have to go when and also doing other things for myself like cooking.

My First Impreesions And Educational Culture Shock

I have always known that at one point I will be going back to university to study more but being a mature student, I  knew it was not going to be easy taking in to consideration my family and work. I am lucky to gain admission to the university of my choice, I am now here now in university of Essex with great optimism.

I must say the first two weeks have been very challenging, getting into a new routine was very difficult for me at first, due to the facts that I have to travel every day of the week from Southend to Colchester Monday to Friday. I have to set off early in the morning to avoid the traffic or delay on the train to get to lecture on time and also getting use to a new environment is  important for me to be able to adjust and concentrate on my studies.

What has helped me to settle in gradually, is the official support and material given by the university and advice from my family.
University of Essex Colchester, is well structured academically and located in a very pleasant unique atmosphere, I guess this is some of the reasons why I was able to gain more confidence about my study here and adapting so quickly.
Also as a home student and looking at students from different diversities and cultures studying in the same university is admirable and overwhelming.

Although, I did miss some of the first week of lectures but I was able to catch up due to the fact, Lecturers had been very helpful in delivering well understandable lectures and  so as the non teaching staff had been supporting in various ways.
I did loose my way couple of times but with help from my department and the university staff, I was able to find my way to lecture room.
Another fact that has help me quite a lot is the quick access to information via on line student database, where students and staff can get easy access to all the formal and social information through the university of Essex web site.

There is up to date information were we  can access, most especially personal time table,listen to lecturer again, email, moodle and others. The university web site will always give necessary update information and sometimes the updated information can prompt users to input reply or other information from anywhere at anytime, I am now getting use to checking my mail many times as possible in a day.

My plan now, is to get myself settle into academic importance first before exploring all the social advantages that comes with it, luckily university of Essex has so  much social activities going on, the student union is amazing and other departmental social activities.

I have taken noticed of them all and waiting for the right time to explores fingers cross!.


Segun Olaretan.

First impressions & Educational Culture Shock

A few weeks before making my journey to Essex University from London, I had a fixed perception of how University life in Essex may be like. This perception was built on my past experience in a previous University I had been in. Although this previous university was located a thousand miles away from Colchester, I somehow assumed the experience will be quiet similar. Four weeks into my first term in Essex University and I find that my judgment was rather different from what I expected it to be.

On arrival, I instantly took notice of the well-organized nature of the school staff and volunteers who were present at the car park, offering assistance to anyone who needed it, which to me was very useful since I had no idea where exactly I was going. Another observation that I found surprising was how easy people were getting along and socializing, almost everyone seemed to be in a rush to know people. This was new to me because people from where I'm from are less sociable and keep more to themselves most of the time.  I also noticed how there are a lot more activities organized in Essex  compared to my previous Uni, with parties going on almost every night, social events, all of which I find interesting even though they can be seen as a distraction to others.

Finding my way to class on my first week was however not the best experience. I got lost on many occasions and often had to ask members of staff for directions, to my surprise they were not familiar with most classes. The “Find your way” app wasn't really helpful either, it almost seemed easier to guess your way around campus than to use the app in most cases. 

The teaching structure is the most important observation I have made in my fourth week here in Essex, a lot more different from what I'm used to. Attendance wasn't monitored back in my previous University. Group work had a percentage in your final mark but most  of your results came from Mid-semester test and final Exams. I personally had a friend who attended lectures a few times and had very good grades just by reading the handouts given, whereas in this University, there are a lot more projects, coursework to be done which I prefer since it prevents from being lazy.

First Impressions and Academic Culture Shock

My first impressions when I came to was ‘Wow, I’ve made it’. Looking around the University made me realise how big this place is and how easily I would be able to get lost in it. At first I thought it was going to be like secondary school, with big tall buildings surrounding me but the shock I received was astounding. The University itself was well spaced out with big modern buildings while I was looking around and the fact that my accommodation was new, made it easily the best university choice to pick for myself. Being in a new environment was very nerve racking because this meant that I would be living on my own without any of my family members and doing the majority of tasks by myself seemed very difficult to do. When I arrived on fresher’s week, I knew I had to make as many friends as possible and pick the right people to, this meant I had to search for people that had a certain aura about them but for my amazement I had already found them. My flatmates are the nicest and most exciting people to be around and I was so glad that I had met them in my flat because we get on so well with each other.

As a new door opened in my life, I knew that the people here would open me with welcome arms and loving personality. The diversity of the different cultures here was phenomenal, I’ve never expected so many people from different backgrounds to be in one community that is; the university. Essex University has actually changed the way I have approached many tasks with and that is, in a good way. I hope that in the near future I would be gaining a lot of life experiences in this university as well as the academic experiences with it as well.

The educational side of the university was quite unique in its own way because it was such a change from secondary school to university. I would never expect the fact that each and every student is very independent and approach work in different ways. I’ve learnt that I can be flexible with the work that I complete and not be judged in the way it is approached but rather be shown many different ways to complete the task at hand. The fact that Essex University and many other universities has done this means that, each student can get different experiences and create new attributes to their skills.

So far I am really happy being at the University as I have gained a lot of new friends and gained new ways to learning the subject I love without any boundaries to come across. The first month of this university was a very good experience for myself and I can’t wait for the many opportunities in the future that the university has to hold.

First Impressions and Educational Culture Shock.

I had a lot of worries going through my head when I was preparing to come to Essex University. I worried about being away from my family, I worried about what my flatmates would be like, how my Course would be like, how my Tutors would be like. In all honesty, after the first week at University, more or less all of these worries are no more. I am getting used to not seeing my family as much slowly but surely. My flatmates couldn't be any better, my Course so far has been enjoyable and the Tutors have done a great job in making it interesting.

It hasn't come as much of a shock regarding the work ethic at the University. It is, as I expected, more independent work and a lot of free time and it is up to us how we make use of it. No-one is here to push us, or tell us what to do and when. It all comes down to us which is quite different to how life was at College where the Subject Teachers would play an equal part in motivating you to study outside class. The Tutors here do their job of teaching us the subject they are specialised it and if we have any problems outside class, we have our personal advisor to talk to.

The Albert Sloman Library is a great asset to the University. It has over a million books and it is a great place to study in a quiet environment and broaden your knowledge on the topics you are covering in class. It is very unlikely that at least one book that you require for one of your topics isn't there. If it isn't there, the University can bring in books from outside which is extremely useful especially if you really need that book for an Assignment.

Another main difference between University life and College life is that there is so much to do outside classes. There are various types of clubs and societies. The sports that are offered by the University is much more than what was offered at my College for obvious reasons such as there are much more students and because most of the students are staying in campus. I find the University Campus safe to go around at night time. The squares are never too packed nor are they too sparsely populated.

I had trouble getting round to most of my classes during the first two weeks which is understandable. It was basically like the first day of year Seven but it was easier to get lost. Slowly I am memorising the routes to each class I have to go to and memorising the route back to either Square two or three. The fact that I live in the Meadows means that I have to wake up, get ready and leave to my class at-least 10 minutes early compared to those living in South Courts or the Towers.

All in all, I think I have settled in well at the University of Essex and I have no problems so far regarding Accommodation, Teachers or the Modules I am studying. I hope it stays like this for the rest of the academic year.

First Impressions Of Essex

Ever since moving to the University and into the University provided accommodation, it has been a non-stop party and social gathering of students from all over the world, which have come to the University to learn and get a higher education in their respective fields, but it doesn’t feel like these students are here to learn during the first week or two of term. This is vastly different to sixth form, as you may encounter a few new people that may join the sixth form at the beginning of the year or throughout the year, whereas University is so ethnically diverse, on campus in lectures there may be hundreds of students but also living on campus is a change, as you live with students from very different backgrounds, this really opens your eyes to other cultures and other ways of life by meeting these students from all over the world.

University is almost a completely different state of mind to sixth form life, at sixth form, you always have your parents or family to help you if needed during hard times at that institution. Whereas at the University, it is a lot more complex in the sense that everything you do at the University is done by you and no one else, such as if you wanted to go into Colchester town for the day, you would either walk or catch a bus, instead of asking the parents for a lift there, enabling a free will as such. The lecturers and teachers at the University expect the students to do a lot more independent study using this newly gained free will, which was a very different life style to the style I was accustomed too. This just enhances the opinion that you get out just as much as you put in when studying at the University.

There are a lot more temptations at University, such as spending money that is originally meant for food on things such as clothes or more Archery gear like new arrows, or even spending it on nights out. At home your parents generally talk you out of stupid purchases like spending around three hundred pounds on a jacket. Also, there are a lot of chances for procrastination as well, as depending on what your flat mates are doing, you may decide to go out one night instead of doing an essay or they may persuade you to go out instead of getting that much needed early night to bed.

Overall, University life creates a completely different state of mind then home life and sixth form living. When you compare the amount of opportunities as there are around campus, it makes sense to live on campus during your first year as this would ensure you’re as close as you can get to very interesting events on the University campus. But this also shows in your personal/social life, as these are separate at home but at University they are blended together to create an experience instead.

My First Impressions - William Davis

In planning to move to university, I found myself growing ever more nervous. Questioning my move, worrying about surviving on my own. My biggest fear being if I would be happy at Essex University. I was glad to find on my arrival that my fears were unfounded. While it has certainly been the challenge I expected to provide for myself, overall I have found that getting used to it has been a quick and painless process.

I was always expecting university life to be different to college life, but still found myself slightly surprised at just how different it is. I was a little shocked at how much was now dependent on me rather than on the educators. From this I have learnt just how important the lectures are for my understanding of the topics and that good notes and listening skills will ensure I get the most out of university.

Beyond this, adapting to a new area has been a strange experience for me, having lived with family in the north all my life, I found myself oddly amused at the amount of sunshine in Colchester. It being a rare sight in my hometown.  I was however glad to see the familiarity of open spaces filled with nature that have helped me feel more at home, away from the built up areas.

The educational environment is both similar and different to the environment of my college. They both share the open space that allows students to freely move around while providing space between areas. However, college had a more heavily monitored mindset where to enter any section ID would be checked. At university this is not present and the entire environment feels more friendly from its absence.

I was also glad to find that everyone has been very friendly and helpful so far and has made the first 4 weeks of university a great experience.

First Impressions

My first impressions here at the university have been very good. During fresher’s week it hadn't really sunk in that I was at university and I am here to study because it felt more like a holiday, going out almost every night and not having any work to do or think about. It was only after fresher’s week when it actually began to feel real for me that I had left home and am starting a new chapter in my life down here at Essex.

   

At first I was very excited about the whole idea of moving out and going to university, but as the weeks closed I became very nervous about moving down to Essex.  This is partly because it is so far from my home back up in Newcastle. Perhaps what I was most nervous about was meeting new people; I hoped that I would be able to make friends easily. This turned out to not be an issue at all as all my flat mates and people on my course seem very friendly and I seem to be getting along them just fine.

There are a lot of differences here at University compared with my sixth form in Newcastle. Once difference would be that at sixth form I was not usually accustomed to taking down notes in class, I would usually just be handed the material that I needed. Whereas here at University I understand that it is essential to be note taking during lectures as material will not always be given to me. 

first impressions

First three weeks of university 

In the first three weeks that I have been here, I have very much enjoyed my time so far because I have met so many different types of people and different cultures and have boned very well, it’s such a weird feeling coming to a new place and living by yourself even if it’s for a short time it finally feels that I have more responsibility then I would have when I was living at home. 

The people I have met have all been very friendly which I was worried about when I was going to university but I am very glad that majority of people here have been very nice, they make me feel very welcomed and grate full with the time I will spend here and the time I have already spent. The things I have enjoyed the most of the first three weeks were the nights out and having a laugh so I hope I can carry on enjoying my time here.

I have also liked the layout of this university but i do get lost quite often because the map system is very confusing and hard to find even if you follow the map that is available online or through the app but apart from that the university has a nice feeling to it and more grown up attitude to things then my college.

My First Impressions

My first impressions of starting a whole new life, by entering university was frightening yet exciting at the same time. The first thought that jumped in my head is that I would be living an independent life with no one to tell me what do to do and where to go. Like most teenagers, this is exactly what they've been waiting for since secondary school, however, for me it was a whole different story. I've always pictured university as a wide ocean where everything you do is done as an individual and many decisions would have to be taken in order to determine that persons future.

   College compared to university is a whole different environment because in college you didn't really think about exams or taking down excessive pages of notes from class. On the other hand, as soon as I started lectures at university we got told about the weightings and deadlines of all our assignments and this is a constant reminder of why we all are at university, because just like everyone else, as soon as you come to university and begin fresher's week you totally forget about the main purpose of coming to university and just think it's for socialising and attending events. Similarly, one major problem I thought I would have once I started university was that I would feel isolated, lonely and incongruous due to the fact that in my past I wasn't really classified as the most confident and outgoing individual so this thought kept on replaying in my head. So this was one major barrier in which I aimed to overcome as soon as I started university.

   Likewise, another problem I was having was, not knowing whether I was, not only physically prepared for university but also mentally. This is because, a majority of people usually hear gossip, rumours and also facts from friends, families or relatives about the university lifestyle and the one common thing I heard about university is that the study routine is quite complex. This was one thing I was not 100 percent sure about, because revising for exams was the worst feeling ever for me because you only get one chance to prove your knowledge and understanding about the subject and this was a nerve wrecking situation for me. Nonetheless, I have now received some advice concerning this factor, and attended different events which explains to students how to write a university type essay as it may differ to the college style essay so this has now boosted my confidence when writing essays and doing my assignments. Overall, I would say university is not only a place for achieving a good degree but it's also about having fun, because university is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so everyone should enjoy each and every bit of it.

Blog 1 (class 1) first impressions (& educational culture shock)

The subject of our first blog is first impressions (& educational culture shock). Please take time to think about what differences you have noticed between the academic environment here at Essex University at the environment of the school or college etc. where you have just come from. Please plan your thoughts in Word first so you can check you spelling, grammar, punctuation, style etc. before posting. Please feel free to make (respectful and thoughtful) comments on others’ posts. These posts can only be read by myself and the other students in your academic skills class. N.B. Please refrain from insulting or offensive language. I will have to remove it and it may constitute an academic offence.