Second year student, ask me anything!

hanmathers

Going into 2nd year, so ask me anything you want to know about 1st year

Reply 1

ribbonrebel31

What subject do you study? And could you tell me anything about unrestricted modules/what a typical day for you was like? Much appreciated :smile:

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University of Sheffield

Sheffield

Reply 2

hanmathers

Original post by ribbonrebel31

What subject do you study? And could you tell me anything about unrestricted modules/what a typical day for you was like? Much appreciated :smile:

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I study journalism. In terms of modules, every subject was different but for me, I had 120 credits. 100 credits were taken up by core journalism modules, and the other 20 I could fill with modules from a range of subjects for example I did a sociology module and a French module. Most modules are 10 or 20 credits so depending on how many credits you have to use, you will probably be able to pick one or two modules outside of your course.

In terms of a typical day, the best thing about uni is that every day is different. Usually I'd get up when I either had lectures, or if I was off when I felt like it. If I had morning lectures I'd walk to uni with my friends then stay there til I'd finished. Luckily all my lectures tended to be together so I didn't have massive gaps in between. After uni, if I had work to do I would do it, and then cook and chill with my flat mates, if I was going out we would have people over and play drinking games. In the summer we would go out to the park a lot for bbqs and frisbee. I play water polo so sometimes I'd train for that. I'm a people person so if I didn't have work to do, I'd most likely be in my friends room or in another flat :smile:

Reply 3

ribbonrebel31

Sounds good! Do you know what the gym's like and would you say it's good value for money? (I know it's around ~£300 for a year's membership) and what's the examination period like? Do you have a set exam period for each semester or does it vary largely across courses? Sorry for the barrage of questions, btw, just interested in a lot of things :smile:

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Reply 4

hanmathers

Original post by ribbonrebel31

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Not sure about the gym because I just run and swim but a few of my friends went and they said it was good.

What are you studying? Most courses have exams in January, over a 2-3 week period then in May/june, mine were over two weeks but some of my friends them over just one, it depends. The exam period is fine, because it doesn't count it's a lot more chilled than a levels and its over pretty quickly. Obviously that depends on how many exams you have, but you have longer to revise because you tend to do it throughtout the terms as well.

Reply 5

ribbonrebel31

I'm studying Biomedical Science :smile:

really excited, just wanted to have an idea of what I'm plunging head first into :P Again, thanks for responding so quickly this is really helpful! How did you find the first few weeks at Sheffield? I'm not much of a party girl, so I'm not as interested in all the freshers parties happening during freshers week compared to other people :s I know there's a whole bunch of other events happening in the week, was just wondering if parties were a regular occurrence/if I'll end up a social outcast. I don't mind drinking and socialising, I just tend to find the club scene a little overwhelming...

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Reply 6

hanmathers

Original post by ribbonrebel31

I'm studying Biomedical Science :smile:

Ah I didn't know anyone doing that, sorry! And don't worry about it, I was desperate for info before I started so I know what it's like.
Before I started everyone was saying that freshers would be the best week of my life, that is definitely not true. It was amazing but I definitely had better weeks later on in the year when I had a solid group of friends and I knew the best places to go. Freshers Is very overwhelming, there's so much going on and everyone goes a bit crazy. If you don't like going out there's loads for you to do that doesn't involve drinking such as day trips, and game nights etc. There was a guy in my flat who didn't drink and he came out with us for the first few nights but then went to film nights and stuff instead and made loads of friends.
I'm more looking forward to freshers this year solely because last year, it was so hard deciding where to go. I'd say just do what makes you happy because you're more likely to make proper friends if you're doing what you enjoy. You won't be an outcast because there will be tons of people in similar situations.

In my flat we had flat parties all the time and quite often those who didn't like clubs loved the parties because they could go to bed when they wanted haha!

Reply 7

ribbonrebel31

Thank goodness, I was worried sick about it! There's a lot of events I'm interested in going to, thankfully I've made two new friends already who's in the same boat as me :biggrin:

even without the parties, I imagine freshers week would still end up being fairly expensive, how much would you reckon would be enough to tide me through the first week or two? Generally I'm hoping to live off £30 a week for groceries + living essentials, does this sound like a good estimate? Also having some trouble trying to pick a bank account, how did you choose? Is it better to just go for the bank which has the biggest overdraft? Mum is insisting I should go for the freebie because 'I should never go into overdraft and should t ever need to' :/

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Reply 8

hanmathers

Original post by ribbonrebel31

Thank goodness, I was worried sick about it! There's a lot of events I'm interested in going to, thankfully I've made two new friends already who's in the same boat as me :biggrin:

Lol in freshers I spent about £300 because I'm an idiot, although that did include my £100 annual fee for joining waterpolo. Most people had £100 for freshers and had some left by the end of the week. It obviously depends what activities you do.

I was awful last year and probably spent about 100 a week, but I went out at least 3 times a week and my flat ate out a lot. I know people who lived off about 40 and lived comfortably. You always forget about the little things like societies, printing, eating out and taxis if you do go out. I'd say see how you go in the first few weeks and then make a budget you can stick to.

I dont have an overdraft because my parents said the same and tbf I've never desperately needed one and its nice not having to worry about paying it back. If you do want one though, go with santander, they're very student friendly and there's a branch in the union so it's handy if you have any problems.