University of York Firmers 2013

I don't drink alcohol and I'm at Derwent. I am the type who will pass on a night out because I find it boring and I do hate fancy dress. However I'd say that choosing Derwent was the right thing because I've come out of my shell a little and I've made so many new friends! Doesn't help that I'm the only Welsh person about the place but still, you'd have an amazing time wherever you go!

Hey everyone,

I Got an offer for BSc Environment, Economics and Ecology and am super excited! Anyone else doing it? I recieved an email from the head of the department saying they would like to give me an offer, but still no info from UCAS which is odd??

Do you know which halls you want to apply to? I have a friend doing Economics at York at the moment and he says the East side is completely dead, so I am wondering if I should pick somewhere like Vanbrugh, Derwent is rough and ready haha, accommodation according to him is dreadful.

All I can say is, there is a reason no one likes to use our school toilets, if York is the same I'll never forgive myself for not spending that little extra.

And I go to a supposedly posh school! They are bad everywhere, imagine what they will be like after every drunken night haha. no thanks!

Do you know which halls you want to apply to? I have a friend doing Economics at York at the moment and he says the East side is completely dead, so I am wondering if I should pick somewhere like Vanbrugh, Derwent is rough and ready haha, accommodation according to him is dreadful.

Hmmm... I'm facing a bit of a tough decision you might be able to weigh in on. On the one hand I would like to be in a sociable college where if I do want to go out or do something social I'll always have an opportunity to do so, and Derwent sounds good for that. I'm probably going to turn down Manchester for York so I feel like I ought to get the best out of York's student life that I possibly can But on the other hand, looking at videos like that makes me feel like I might be a bit too... nerdy? I mean there's a bunch of obvious party people getting hyped up on their dancey dubstep stuff while I'm gonna be that weirdo who mostly enjoys chilling in his room to spacey dream pop and trip-hop albums. I can go either way but usually a fair amount of alcohol would need to be involved for me to properly appreciate a situation like that. And I've never liked fancy dress to be honest. Also, I'm the kind of person who really enjoys a night in with mates watching a movie or playing video games (not the COD and FIFA sort) so I'd like to think that's a common option too. I'm really not much of a "lad" and that sort of culture grates me when I'm not in the mood for it. What do you reckon?

I am leaning towards Derwent since I'm pretty used to hanging around party-goer types and I know they can be great company when you're wanting a big night, but I dunno if I would feel a bit isolated for my more introverted habits. It's mostly lad culture etc. I'm worried about, I can't think of anything I would have in common with a big, wild rugby player type or one of those "wooo let's go clubbing girlies!!! xoxo" girls.

Trying not to overanalyse since I know every college will have a fair mix, but yeah

I don't know why, when people say Derwent loves to party there's a tendency to assume we mean rugby socials and little else. The rugby social, when it does happen, is about 20 guys getting drunk and taking the piss out of each other, it's no legion of alcoholics with a mean streak dominating the college. I've never been on one, seen one, and I hardly know more than one or two members of the team and yet I manage to go out and have a good time at most if not all Derwent events. End of the day, Derwent has the most going on of all colleges by a mile...to the extent that there's jokes of secession being bandied around, and it's not all (or even mostly) sports socials. If you like less mainstream music Circulation, the alternative music magazine, is staffed largely by Derwent members. If you like quirky videogames I can't really help but I'm sure you'd easily find others who would too (there's a guy in my block who's been playing Skyrim, by my estimates, since October non-stop). As for movies, our JCR has more film showings in a week by different societies, the JCRC and etc. than most other colleges probably have in a term.

And then if you just want to join in a giant booze-up from time to time there's not really any better place. As far as the fancy dress is concerned I keep either forgetting to organize any or being too skint to afford any so I've turned up in the laziest possible outfits repeatedly and noone minded.

I had to choose between York and Warwick too! I chose York mostly because of the course (Writing, Directing and Performing) but although the Warwick campus is great I hear that Coventry is not a pleasant place to go out in- it's very rough apparently. And York is such a nice city (it has a Viking museum- what more do you need?) and the people seemed very genuine and passionate about the uni.

That sounds really good. Kind of makes me wonder what the hell everyone else is doing to be honest.

Hahaha, that's me in a nutshell.

I guess it's just the accommodation itself left that's bothering me, I didn't like it when I visited at the open day, the bathrooms in particular seemed really grotty. How is it for you? I figure I will just grin and bear it for the year but it definitely feels like it will be a compromise (talking economy standard here).

Also I just noticed you're studying PPE which is what I'll be doing How's the course so far?

Sorry for seeming like such an interviewer, I just have an unfortunate habit of over-speculating.

The accomodation is definitely some of the worst in the uni, but you really do get used to it. It's also not necessarily as unclean as just plain old. If anything, it just makes going back to decent showers and kitchens a thrill. If your top concern is room quality though, I can't honestly recommend Derwent.

The course is fantastic, so far my main issues are with lecturer objectivity (the right-wing never gets a fair rap in lectures, and some lecturers are outright extremists) and a tendency for some lecturers to read from lecture slides which they haven't even written (which begs the question of their function). Overall, PPE is the most interesting course at the uni, quite well taught and produces some of Yorks most employable and well-rounded graduates. Plus the Club of PEP has some sick events.

Probably going to be firming York for English and Related Literature, so thought I'd pop up and say hi! Hoping for accommodation in either James or Alcuin.

Apparently a few of the newer colleges are suffering from lack of hot water and heating and that people are asking their money back for the accommodation.

Just something you might want to consider when picking a college. Langwith sounds problem free

Hello Ive put York as my firm choice studying Biology with a year in industry. I hope to get accommodation in Vanburgh. Cant wait ! x