Transferring Uni

Hey,
I'm really starting to think that the current uni that I'm going to is not for me anymore. It has been 3 months since I got here, but I still haven't made any friends yet. It might be due to my having social anxiety. I didn't really want to go to this university in the first place (Uni of Kent but on the Medway campus) because I knew I wouldn't like it, and I was right. Ever since I got here, my mental health has declined. I wanted to go to the University of Brighton, but I kept hearing negative things about the school. I just want to know what it's like studying social work at Brighton because of the course I want to do. The main reason why I didn't go is because the accommodation prices are so expensive. Moreover, I really want students who go to uni of Kent (Medway campus) and stay at the accommodation to talk about their experiences there and what it was like. It is isolating, especially being away from the main campus. I feel like the universities at the Medway campus are only good if you don't live in accommodation. I tried joining clubs, but it was hard for me to balance going to the Canterbury campus because the shuttle bus only comes every hour, even every 2 hours at certain times. Moreover, i want to know what it like to be a black student while studying at Brighton,, especially a black queer student

Reply 1

Stormgrad

11

Hi I'm not a student at any of the universities in the medway towns, but i do live there seems like your main issue is feeling socially isolated perhaps you could elaborate on your interests and i could suggest some local options for you to meet people in the medway area.

Reply 2

Yuware

4

Original post

by Stormgrad

Hi I'm not a student at any of the universities in the medway towns, but i do live there seems like your main issue is feeling socially isolated perhaps you could elaborate on your interests and i could suggest some local options for you to meet people in the medway area.

Book reading, knitting, music, K-pop and kdrama

Reply 3

University of Brighton Enquiries

Official Rep

12

Original post

by Anonymous

Hey,
I'm really starting to think that the current uni that I'm going to is not for me anymore. It has been 3 months since I got here, but I still haven't made any friends yet. It might be due to my having social anxiety. I didn't really want to go to this university in the first place (Uni of Kent but on the Medway campus) because I knew I wouldn't like it, and I was right. Ever since I got here, my mental health has declined. I wanted to go to the University of Brighton, but I kept hearing negative things about the school. I just want to know what it's like studying social work at Brighton because of the course I want to do. The main reason why I didn't go is because the accommodation prices are so expensive. Moreover, I really want students who go to uni of Kent (Medway campus) and stay at the accommodation to talk about their experiences there and what it was like. It is isolating, especially being away from the main campus. I feel like the universities at the Medway campus are only good if you don't live in accommodation. I tried joining clubs, but it was hard for me to balance going to the Canterbury campus because the shuttle bus only comes every hour, even every 2 hours at certain times. Moreover, i want to know what it like to be a black student while studying at Brighton,, especially a black queer student

Hi!

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling at your current University ❤️ Have you spoken to the support teams available at your current University? I'd recommend reaching out, especially if your mental health is struggling. They might be able to suggest ways to support you and perhaps look at other accommodation options closer to campus if they are available?

I know you are hoping to hear from a student at Brighton University, but I thought I'd respond in case they don't see your post. You can reach out to Brighton University current students to discuss student life and courses here. You will be able to see under each student profile the course they are studying and their hobbies and societies, such as the LGBTQ+ society, which you may want to speak to them about 😊 They'll be happy to share their experiences of Brighton Uni and what it's like to live in Brighton.

As someone who has lived in Brighton their whole life, I can say Brighton is an extremely inclusive City and we welcome people from all backgrounds. Their are lots of LGBTQ+ spaces around the city and it's a safe and fun place to be.

At Brighton University we pride ourselves on our inclusivity and support that is available to our students.

We consider transfers into year two at the start of each academic year, so the next intake will be to start in September 2025. Please feel free to contact our enquiries team for more information on the process.

In regards to accommodation prices, we now have the Brighton Boost to help new students financially in their first year of study with us. If you currently live in an eligible English postcode you could receive support worth £1,250 to put towards the cost of university halls. You may also be eligible for University of Brighton bursaries and other support in subsequent years of study. We also offer financial travel funds for new students living off campus. I'd recommend checking out Brighton Boost.

I hope this is helpful! Wishing you all the best with your studies.

Danielle - Brighton Uni Rep

Reply 4

University of Kent

Official Rep

15

Original post

by Anonymous

Hey,
I'm really starting to think that the current uni that I'm going to is not for me anymore. It has been 3 months since I got here, but I still haven't made any friends yet. It might be due to my having social anxiety. I didn't really want to go to this university in the first place (Uni of Kent but on the Medway campus) because I knew I wouldn't like it, and I was right. Ever since I got here, my mental health has declined. I wanted to go to the University of Brighton, but I kept hearing negative things about the school. I just want to know what it's like studying social work at Brighton because of the course I want to do. The main reason why I didn't go is because the accommodation prices are so expensive. Moreover, I really want students who go to uni of Kent (Medway campus) and stay at the accommodation to talk about their experiences there and what it was like. It is isolating, especially being away from the main campus. I feel like the universities at the Medway campus are only good if you don't live in accommodation. I tried joining clubs, but it was hard for me to balance going to the Canterbury campus because the shuttle bus only comes every hour, even every 2 hours at certain times. Moreover, i want to know what it like to be a black student while studying at Brighton,, especially a black queer student

Hi,
I hope you are well!😊

I'm really sorry to hear that you are feeling this way about studying at Medway Campus, but I thought I'd hop on here as I am also a student studying at Medway Campus💓

Apart from the way you are feeling about the campus, how are you finding Social Work at Kent? Are you enjoying the course?🙂

I am currently in my third year studying Social Science. While I do live at home, locally to the campus, and have had a positive experience at Medway, I completely understand the feeling of being away from the main campus, and I completely understand that moving away from home, and being on a smaller campus can feel very different to being on a lively and bigger campus.

However, I have several friends who live on campus in Pier Quays, and have enjoyed their experience there. One of my friends makes use of both campuses. They play football over at Canterbury campus, and use Medway campus for studying at (my favourite place!) drill hall library, grabbing some lunch at the cafes, and Medway Building for their lectures. I understand the shuttle runs every hour, and this can be a little bit unhelpful for attending societies over at Canterbury, especially if there is traffic! However, there are lots of fun societies at Medway Campus too!

A list of all the Medway based societies can be found here. I am part of the netball society ⛹️ over at Medway, and would love, and encourage you to come along if sport is your thing!😊
All abilities are welcome! And we do a mixture of training and game play, so there's something for all abilities. Please let me know if you would like to come along! And I'd be happy to have a private message about it if you have any questions!🙂

There's also a climbing/bouldering society over at Dockside shopping centre (about a 10 minute walk from Medway Campus) which I am part of as well! I'm also aware of a women's, and mens basketball, and volleyball society over at Medway too. There are some non-sporty societies too, such as the LGBTQ+ society, and Music society, to name a few.

The Hub, also known as the Deep End, has lots of events on too! So if sport isn't your thing, then a craft afternoon, or a UV games might be more your thing. They also have free breakfast and community dinners, which might be worth checking out. I've been to a few of their craft events, and I think they are great! I'm hoping they have their Christmas ones on again this year!- Because I'll definitely be there!🎄

I know you mentioned that you have Social Anxiety, and while I don't have any experience, or lots of knowledge about Social Anxiety, I can appreciate that the list I've given above about things to do at Medway Campus might be a little bit out of your comfort zone. If you would like to have a private message about any of the societies available or any of the events at the Hub, then I would be more than happy to, just let me know!😊

I would encourage you to reach out to Student Support and Wellbeing at Kent, if you feel that you are struggling with your mental health, because there is a really friendly team on hand to help! It's their job!🙂 I contacted them when I was feeling a bit anxious and overwhelmed about my exams last academic year, and have had a really positive experience. The staff who helped me gave me lots of advice, and most importantly were just there to talk to, and this made me feel a lot better knowing that I had spoken to someone about it.🙂

If after considering all of this, and you feel that Medway Campus is not the place you wish to study, then I would encourage you to get in touch with the admissions team to find out more about moving to another institution. However, I would encourage you to give it a go, if you can, with some of the events at the Hub, or even check out one of the societies at Medway, as you never know you might start to feel more comfortable at Medway. I know it can be daunting, and I felt this in my first year when I even went to some societies on my own🙂 but there are lots of lovely people to connect with in Medway, and I've certainly experienced this🙂.

I hope this helps!
Please let me know if you have any other questions🙂

Best wishes and take care🍀💕
Josie
University of Kent Student Rep🎓️

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 5

Anonymous #2

Original post

by Anonymous

Hey,
I'm really starting to think that the current uni that I'm going to is not for me anymore. It has been 3 months since I got here, but I still haven't made any friends yet. It might be due to my having social anxiety. I didn't really want to go to this university in the first place (Uni of Kent but on the Medway campus) because I knew I wouldn't like it, and I was right. Ever since I got here, my mental health has declined. I wanted to go to the University of Brighton, but I kept hearing negative things about the school. I just want to know what it's like studying social work at Brighton because of the course I want to do. The main reason why I didn't go is because the accommodation prices are so expensive. Moreover, I really want students who go to uni of Kent (Medway campus) and stay at the accommodation to talk about their experiences there and what it was like. It is isolating, especially being away from the main campus. I feel like the universities at the Medway campus are only good if you don't live in accommodation. I tried joining clubs, but it was hard for me to balance going to the Canterbury campus because the shuttle bus only comes every hour, even every 2 hours at certain times. Moreover, i want to know what it like to be a black student while studying at Brighton,, especially a black queer student

final year student at kent medway campus here. it is isolating and i hear you on the difficulties living here. I must admit i did enjoy the first two years here, with being lucky with my first group of flatmates. i was able to make close friendships with them and continued living together in pier quays during second year. But i didnt know much and didnt have many expectations as im an international student so actually the smallness of medway helped me adjust slowly to living in the UK and wasn’t overwhelming.

Though i started when it was hybrid learning, half online lectures and then in-person seminars. we’d have them in the now closed sail and colour loft building, which was such an unnecessary and discouraging 40 minute walk from pier quays when ur seminars are only 45 mins long 😕 so even then it was a struggle to make friends cuz of the shared inconsistencies in attendance.

towards the end of first year, i visited the cants campus and that was the first time i truly felt regret and envy and saw "what could have been”. The vibe was lively and FELT like uni, people looked happy and busy. it was hard to think of changing courses or transferring unis though cuz of the investment my family put into it as an international.. so i’d say if you have the option to transfer in/ after first year, do it.

i was more active in canterbury societies for my second year and it made me feel busy and purposeful but like you said, its hard to balance the commute n separate lives so my academics suffered instead.

I went on placement in london during my third year and enjoyed it, but felt more strongly the cons of medway when i returned. So i finally started understood the resent my uni friends from London felt towards the place. even when the unis try to make events happen, the culture of the ‘campus’ isnt strong enough to create a sense of community. Its more like pockets of small friend groups if ure lucky..

theres not much push from uni of kent to join the hub (owned by greenwich) so not a lot of kent students know or vibe with whats there. anyway societies are pretty inconsistent and not as active as it is in cants. some havent been led/ organized properly since the pandemic LOL and courses are selected and small so the diversity of students in terms of interests is small too.

Ironically you're not alone on the feeling lonely part, which is probably why a lot of people have started finding communities in their religion here, there is that but its not for everyone.. I relate to your social anxiety, I don't enjoy interacting with people in my course. Personally, as a queer poc i just dont feel like i vibe well with anyone there.

I've been here long enough to make friends and tried in the first few years, but I've accepted now that the smallness of the place is limiting. I wanted to focus on getting my grades up for final year so i barely went to Canterbury and i felt so drained and lost in the end. second term now, i tried going to cants more to be involved and that injected some life in me but im starting to feel again how hard it is to balance studies + maintaining friends there.

One could only make living here work well if your course is well delivered, have strong connections outside uni already, work part time or live at home to distract you from the realities of it all. i know someone queer in my course who left after second year to go uni of brighton and we have each other on ig and they look happier imo

its not ALL bad but you have to realllyyy look for opportunities here to get whatever u need.. which i guess is a useful skill after uni but anyway i really hope you make the right choice for yourself!

In the meantime, if you havent already, make use of the uni’s counseling and support services. Its helped me somewhat find meaning in being here

Transferring Uni

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