What I wish I'd known about university life
Starting university can feel like a step into the unknown. We asked our student ambassadors what they'd like to tell applicants about life at Lancaster.
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1. You’re not alone
I really wish I’d known how much fun university was going to be so that I’d wasted less time worrying about it! Not only that but even if you are going through a difficult time there is so much support at Lancaster that you can turn to. Firstly your flatmates, who you will become very close to much more quickly than you think, but also the college welfare teams who are more than happy to talk to you if you just pop in, even if you just wanted to talk to someone because you’re feeling a bit homesick.
Jessica Kemmish, Bowland College - History
2. You can try anything
I wish I had known just how easy it is to try new and out of the ordinary activities through societies. Since coming to university I have become President of the Clay Pigeon Shooting Society and a qualified skydiver.
Luke Knight, Lonsdale College - Theoretical Physics with Mathematics
3. Your college is like a new family
At the time I didn’t realise the importance of the colleges; I thought it was an added bonus to the Lancaster experience, when in reality they have played such a huge role in my time here.
Isabelle Holmes, County College - Marketing
4. You’re not (usually) limited to one subject
I wish I’d known that you can select a minor subject during your first academic year of study, as I was unsure whether to study Chemistry or Mathematics at university. However, Lancaster University made it simple for me as I was able to study both with one as a minor degree, which allowed me to have an insight into both subjects.
Roland Kanda, Pendle College - Mathematics
5. There are so many different opportunities
Before entering the university I wasn’t aware of the opportunities offered, including the Lancaster Award, Student Ambassadors, and the societies. For instance, the Law Society provides valuable opportunities and events which can be put into your CV and personal statement.
Tsz Ching To, Bowland College - Law and Politics
6. You should pick the place that’s right for you, not your friends
I know now that living away from home is a rewarding and life changing experience. At the time of applying to uni it was so easy to apply to the same places that my friends were, even if that wouldn’t be the right choice for me. Choosing a different university to all of my friends was probably the best decision I could have made because Lancaster was the best choice for me and I’ve still had an amazing experience making new friends.
Ashleigh Thomasson, Cartmel College - Accounting and Finance
7. You don't have to stay on campus
Although I had thought about the university I wanted to spend three years at, I hadn’t really thought about the accommodation after my first year. Lancaster University has a brilliant range of accommodation available in Lancaster town, whether it is houses or apartments that are owned by the University themselves, or those run by private companies/landlords. From my experience, and from what I have heard from fellow students, the accommodation in Lancaster is affordable and to a very good standard.
Adam Hartridge, Bowland College - Law
8. There are a thousand ways to get involved
I wish I’d known that the Students’ Union is a great place to get involved and make a difference to campus. I knew nothing about Student Unions before I came to university and only got involved by chance, but getting involved gave me a lot of great skills and experiences, as well as meeting loads of different people. If I had known more about it sooner I would have been involved with LUSU from the beginning.
Laura Brown, Furness College - English Literature
9. Everyone is welcome
Being over 21, I was considered a mature student when I applied to Lancaster, and this was something that really bothered me in the months leading up to October, as I was concerned that I would feel much older than my peers. However, this was completely not the case, and the age difference has been barely noticeable since I started. Because Lancaster is such a welcoming university, it has been really easy to make friends in my accommodation, on all of my courses, through societies and on campus in general.
Hayley Niven, Bowland College - Spanish, History and Management
Looking forward to seeing you at Lancaster!
Questions about your application? Take a look at our helpful Admissions information, or feel free to get in touch on ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk or 01524 592 028.
