So I’m applying to study at Uni of Newcastle next year as I love the sound of the course and have heard great things about the uni. However, I’m a little nervous about some things I’ve heard.
I’m from the south, Hampshire/Berkshire border but grew up with the Reading/Tadley lot. I have a strange family dynamic, a lot of the family I spent a lot of time with growing up are wealthy and have a bit of poshness to them. My mum, sisters and I aren’t wealthy (dad’s from Birmingham but not in the picture). I’ve gotten free school meals my whole life, we’ve had to budget a lot etc. My sister and I both work and earn our own money.
One of the things that drew me to the North was that my sister’s best friend are her family (who I am very close with) are from York, and my sister (who has went up with them to visit many times) has always said how friendly the north is compared to the south. Friendliness is one of the most important things for me when choosing unis because I’m so nervous about not making friends.
However, I’ve heard many southerners on social media talking about how they’re treated badly in the north because of their southern accent, which is regarded as ‘posh’ and ‘snobby’. Multiple have said it even drew them to drop out of Uni of Newcastle, Northumbria etc because of the bullying.
There’s absolutely no way in hell I’m going to a uni in South/Midlands with posh people stereotypes (I won’t name any but you can probably tell which I mean) as I’d claw my eyes out at the entitlement and 100% wouldn’t fit in there. But now I’m nervous that I won’t fit in in the north either. I was recently told by an old friend I reconnected with that my accent has gotten posher (I think spending so much time around family during Covid caused this) so this makes me really nervous.
Is what I’ve been hearing true? Should I change my uni choices?
Sorry about the long post. I’m physically unable to summarise.
Thank you!