Ask a second year Portsmouth student anything**

Just finished my first year, and lived in halls. Feel free to ask any questions about the Uni, accommodation, the city in general. I know I had lots of questions when I first started that felt too silly to ask, so feel free to post questions big and small here. :smile:

Reply 1

Samluddy

Do you know much about Bateson hall accommodation?
And what did you do food wise when you're on a budget?
Thanks :smile:

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Reply 2

bethgrace95

do you know much about Burrell Hall? I've just been allocated a room there, i wanted a lively hall but have been given that one.
Thanks

Reply 3

studos

3

how reputable is portsmouth uni?

Reply 4

studos

3

Original post by Azzer11

Okay calm down, don't take your emotional distress from going to Plymouth out on me.

Plymouth or Portsmouth?

Reply 5

cazza1

1

Hey I'm moving to Portsmouth Uni in September to start in the second year of a computing degree.
Do you know of any good societies and sports to join to try and meet people?
Thanks =]

Reply 6

Samluddy

Beer pong society looks fun, as well as there being quiditch society! Haha, well I don't know anything about them but I'm sure they'd be a laugh. As a rugby player I'd suggest rugby but just try as much as you can until you find the right thing :smile:

Ignore the snobby troll!

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Reply 7

MattEB

What are Bateson Halls like, from a student's perspective? I've been offered a place there, but there seems to be something of a negative image of them on here. Does that reflect what they're really like?

Reply 8

Neostigmine

18

I have tidied this thread up. Please can we keep on topic. If anyone else starts to post trolly nonsense or rude posts, please hit "report" instead of replying. Thanks!

As for Portsmouth... do you visit the IOW often/at all? I heard its a really quick boat over there from Portsmouth whereas it takes an age from Southampton!

Reply 9

Medici103

11

Original post by BethaneyJ

I have tidied this thread up. Please can we keep on topic. If anyone else starts to post trolly nonsense or rude posts, please hit "report" instead of replying. Thanks!

As for Portsmouth... do you visit the IOW often/at all? I heard its a really quick boat over there from Portsmouth whereas it takes an age from Southampton!

Yes it is quick. I know a couple of people who commute daily.

Reply 10

Neostigmine

18

Original post by Medici103

Yes it is quick. I know a couple of people who commute daily.

I knew someone who tried to do that to Soton and it didn't work out. Nice to know it's an option at Portsmouth!

Reply 11

portsmouthlaw93

OP

1

Original post by Samluddy

Do you know much about Bateson hall accommodation?
And what did you do food wise when you're on a budget?
Thanks :smile:

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I haven't been to Bateson I don't think, I have heard that the actual rooms aren't fab, however the location is good (right off of Guildhall walk where all the nightlife is). I was in catered halls so 14 meals a week included. My advice from cooking for myself before Uni would be to plan your meals, write a list and stick to it. Also work out when supermarkets do their reducing and go in and hunt for bargains. If things get bad then the Uni does sometimes offer hardship funds/extra money but you have to apply for it, show them bank statements etc. The Uni has a student finance office where you can go if you're having money problems.

Original post by bethgrace95

do you know much about Burrell Hall? I've just been allocated a room there, i wanted a lively hall but have been given that one.
Thanks

I lived in Burrell. It is more social than say, Rees hall, because there are 'common rooms' on every floor and big shared kitchens so you can socialise in those. You're also right next to the common so good to sit out there/have bbqs when the weather is good.

Original post by cazza1

Hey I'm moving to Portsmouth Uni in September to start in the second year of a computing degree.
Do you know of any good societies and sports to join to try and meet people?
Thanks =]

The Portsmouth Students Union website has a list of societies/sports that you can look through before you get here, then when you get here the Uni hosts a 'freshers fayre' where societies will try and get you to sign up. The sports societies are very social, we have a thing called 'purple Wednesdays' where the sports societies have themed socials.

Original post by BethaneyJ

As for Portsmouth... do you visit the IOW often/at all? I heard its a really quick boat over there from Portsmouth whereas it takes an age from Southampton!

I have visited the IOW twice since I got here. Some people on my course commute from IOW. There is a ferry that runs from Portsmouth harbour which takes 25 mins and costs £12 return or there is a hovercraft which runs from next to Clarence Pier in Southsea which costs about the same but takes 10 mins. The ferry and the Hovercraft both drop you in Ryde, although there isn't a lot to do there so you would probably want to train/bus to other parts of the Island.

Reply 12

Phoenix Boom

Second year here.

I'm also available for any particular questions about Halls, night life, general living and any other general questions.

Name is Ross and will be studying my second year of Criminology and Criminal Justice in September. For my first year, I lived in James Watson and was pretty active with some societies.

In addition, I would like to give caution to people about buying tickets for events during Fresher's week. Depending on how much drink you can handle in a week, I would only recommend buying the Fresher's pack as you'll have plenty of opportunity to buy more event tickets when you collect the pack. They'll normally try to sell people discount cards, weekly event tickets in particular night clubs and unnecessary extras.

You find that normally most people go out constantly during the first half of the Fresher's week and slow down after Thursday. I also recommend not buying the Boat party ticket. It's pretty expensive and drinks while on board aren't cheaper. Plus, you'll find that most people won't have tickets for it as they sell out pretty quick so finding people to go with can be a challenge.

Reply 13

qwerty73

8

Original post by portsmouthlaw93

Just finished my first year, and lived in halls. Feel free to ask any questions about the Uni, accommodation, the city in general. I know I had lots of questions when I first started that felt too silly to ask, so feel free to post questions big and small here. :smile:

Hi, I firmed Portsmouth and am quite nervous because the social life at the uni and in the city in general seems to be heavily based on drinking and clubbing.

I hate drinking and clubbing and was wondering if there are many students like me and whether the uni offers other ways to socialise and have fun?

Also I heard there are quite a lot of mature and international students there compared to most other unis, is this true?

Thanks!

Reply 14

IsabelleCW

Does anyone know anything about what langstone student village is like? :smile:

Ive been given a room in QEQM in the tower block, heard a lot of mixed things!

Reply 15

Lucy_Hope05

What's Burrell Hall like in terms of socialising, distance from the uni and shops, the catered meals etc. Would be a lot of help!

Reply 16

portsmouthlaw93

OP

1

Original post by qwerty73

Hi, I firmed Portsmouth and am quite nervous because the social life at the uni and in the city in general seems to be heavily based on drinking and clubbing.

I hate drinking and clubbing and was wondering if there are many students like me and whether the uni offers other ways to socialise and have fun?

Also I heard there are quite a lot of mature and international students there compared to most other unis, is this true?

Thanks!

There is a lot to do that doesn't involve drinking - Portsmouth is an awesome city! You have Gunwharf Quays for resturants, cinema, bowling and shopping. Cascades/city centre which has big shops like primark. Southsea has lots of independant shops/bars/cafes - there is a lovely little Icelandic cafe called Ryakajavik101 on castle Rd, also 10th hole tea rooms cake is famous in Portsmouth. There is the beach/costal path - walk from clarence pier to south parade pier. Southsea castle. Loads of museums. Loads of parks - southsea common, victoria park and others. The historic dockyard. Lots to do and explore that doesn't involve drinking. Christian Union has lots of non-drinking focused socials like BBQ's and you don't have to be a christian to get involved - the people there are really friendly and helpful. The sports societies generally are drinking focused but you can always just go for the actual activities/sports (usually during the day on wednesday).

There are quite a few international students, some mature students - don't know how this compares to other Unis though. I would say the Uni is quite like the population of most cities - diverse.

Original post by IsabelleCW

Does anyone know anything about what langstone student village is like? :smile:

Ive been given a room in QEQM in the tower block, heard a lot of mixed things!

Sorry, don't know a lot about Langstone other than that you have to get the Uni bus. I would say reserve judgement until you get there and try not to worry too much :smile:

It's only on another side of Portsmouth so if you go out with people from halls you can all get a taxi back.

Original post by Lucy_Hope05

What's Burrell Hall like in terms of socialising, distance from the uni and shops, the catered meals etc. Would be a lot of help!

Burrell has a common room and kitchen (2 fridges, 1 freezer, 1 cooker) on each floor (about 25 people I think) so those areas are good for socialising. It depends on what building your in, I was in Richmond/Portland area and it takes about 20 mins to walk there and about 10 mins to the library/students Union. It is right next to castle Rd, which has lots of quirky independant shops and it is really close (like a 3 min walk) to a co-op. Further up on Elm Grove you have a bigger tesco express and coop. It is about 15 mins walk to Guildhall walk, which is where a lot of the clubs are.

You get 14 meals a week - breakfast and dinner during the week and breakfast and lunch at weekends. Most of the meal is self serve so typically at dinner you have a salad bar, pick your own dessert (muffins, cake, fruit), bread and serve yourself sides such as peas, potatoes and then you choose from different options for the main part of the meal. There is a lot of chicken based dishes - curry, kievs, fish, stir frys, pizza. The food generally is quite adaptable so depending on what sides/salads you choose you can make it as healthy/unhealthy as you want. Veggie options are available. You also serve yourself water/squash/tea/coffee/hot chocolate/herbal tea. For breakfasts you can serve yourself toast (with butter, jam, sometimes marmite or nutella), cereal, fruit and also they do cooked breakfast with bacon or sausages, eggs, beans, hash browns. The food is variable but generally good!

Reply 17

Lucy_Hope05

Thank you! That was very helpful since I had a much more negative opinion of the hall before reading that. Where are all the meals served then? And do they close the kitchens/ common rooms at certain times or are they always open?

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Reply 18

iJoyce

1

Original post by Phoenix Boom

Second year here.

I'm also available for any particular questions about Halls, night life, general living and any other general questions.

Name is Ross and will be studying my second year of Criminology and Criminal Justice in September. For my first year, I lived in James Watson and was pretty active with some societies.

In addition, I would like to give caution to people about buying tickets for events during Fresher's week. Depending on how much drink you can handle in a week, I would only recommend buying the Fresher's pack as you'll have plenty of opportunity to buy more event tickets when you collect the pack. They'll normally try to sell people discount cards, weekly event tickets in particular night clubs and unnecessary extras.

You find that normally most people go out constantly during the first half of the Fresher's week and slow down after Thursday. I also recommend not buying the Boat party ticket. It's pretty expensive and drinks while on board aren't cheaper. Plus, you'll find that most people won't have tickets for it as they sell out pretty quick so finding people to go with can be a challenge.

Hi Ross, I am going to study Criminology and criminal justice too this September, first year. Could you give me all the advices you can have about this course? Also I was thinking about changing my current choice, criminology and cj to criminology and sociology, so I can have 50/50. Any advices? Thank you