Ecology/Conservation UCL and Imperial - uni life?

Hello! I'm currently debating between my acceptances to the MRes Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Research program at Imperial and the Biodiversity, Evolution and Conservation MRes at UCL.

I'm from NYC and looking forward to the research programs in either school since they both have connections to the ZSL. My main question is about the day to day life between the center of London and Silwood Park near Ascot. I've grown up in a huge city so moving to London isn't a huge "need" for me, but I'm wondering how that will compare to the postgrad Silwood campus that seems very isolated and small (are there even grocery stores nearby?) I finished undergrad at a very small rural college in NY (<3000 students), and I think another environment like that would make me go stir crazy. On the other hand, I left NYC in order to focus on my degree, so I'm wondering how living in London will affect me in such a work-intensive program. ANY insights or anecdotes would be well appreciated!

Besides this daily life, any extra comments or firsthand experiences on either program would be super helpful, too! The academic environment, time devoted to developing project ideas, the level of student support etc etc. Thanks so much!

I appreciate you saying this, but I think if I'll be spending 52 weeks focused on research, it might be conducive to know that I'll be able to go out on the weekends to take a mental break. Unfortunately I'm not a machine and I know my own limitations to dealing with pressure. I'm well aware of the academic expectations which is why I didn't ask about them, and I want to find the program that's the right fit for me considering all these costs - but thank you for the patronizing comment anyway!

Hello! I'm currently debating between my acceptances to the MRes Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Research program at Imperial and the Biodiversity, Evolution and Conservation MRes at UCL.

I'm from NYC and looking forward to the research programs in either school since they both have connections to the ZSL. My main question is about the day to day life between the center of London and Silwood Park near Ascot. I've grown up in a huge city so moving to London isn't a huge "need" for me, but I'm wondering how that will compare to the postgrad Silwood campus that seems very isolated and small (are there even grocery stores nearby?) I finished undergrad at a very small rural college in NY (<3000 students), and I think another environment like that would make me go stir crazy. On the other hand, I left NYC in order to focus on my degree, so I'm wondering how living in London will affect me in such a work-intensive program. ANY insights or anecdotes would be well appreciated!

Besides this daily life, any extra comments or firsthand experiences on either program would be super helpful, too! The academic environment, time devoted to developing project ideas, the level of student support etc etc. Thanks so much!