Should I go to a less prestigious university?
Here's my dilemma:
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
(edited 2 months ago)
Original post by Syncola
Here's my dilemma:
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
From the sound of it, you know what you want to do, but it seems that the opinions of others are holding you back. Prestige really is not everything, and Southampton and Royal Holloway are good universities too. I would pick the course that you feel you are most likely to enjoy and succeed in.
In terms of distance away from home, only you can know whether that is something that matters to you. The good thing is your family will only be a phone call away any time, but if you want to be nearer to them, then you can take that into consideration too. Wherever you go, if you enjoy the subject and work hard, you will thrive. Just make sure to check in with yourself and work out what it is you really want to do first, before you listen to the opinions of others. They are important to consider, but you know yourself best.
I hope that makes sense, it is only my opinion, but I have had friends in similar situations so I am going off what they have told me
Evie (final year medic at UoS)
Reply 2
Original post by Syncola
Here's my dilemma:
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
If there are offer holder days then definitely try to go those and if not visit the Unis anyway. Course content is very important so consider the detail and any options on course on different years and very close behind consider where you like the feel of, it will be your home for a few years so best if you like it as a place as well as liking the accomodations offerings. You still have plenty of time to make your decision so use that time to really consider all of the above and only when you have your favourites (and if its still important to you as by then you might have a clear favourite) you might consider prestige.
With regards your study. Trust yourself. You know yourself better than anyone and are best placed to know what you need to do to get to where you want to be. Focus on doing the above and it will give you the confidence to put anyone else's input to one side and just go for what you want for yourself.
I'm a parent and its very easy to get encouragement wrong sometimes, try to keep your main focus on your target and let any irritations pass over you as much as you can. Good luck!
Original post by University of Sheffield Students
Hey,
From the sound of it, you know what you want to do, but it seems that the opinions of others are holding you back. Prestige really is not everything, and Southampton and Royal Holloway are good universities too. I would pick the course that you feel you are most likely to enjoy and succeed in.
In terms of distance away from home, only you can know whether that is something that matters to you. The good thing is your family will only be a phone call away any time, but if you want to be nearer to them, then you can take that into consideration too. Wherever you go, if you enjoy the subject and work hard, you will thrive. Just make sure to check in with yourself and work out what it is you really want to do first, before you listen to the opinions of others. They are important to consider, but you know yourself best.
I hope that makes sense, it is only my opinion, but I have had friends in similar situations so I am going off what they have told me
Evie (final year medic at UoS)
From the sound of it, you know what you want to do, but it seems that the opinions of others are holding you back. Prestige really is not everything, and Southampton and Royal Holloway are good universities too. I would pick the course that you feel you are most likely to enjoy and succeed in.
In terms of distance away from home, only you can know whether that is something that matters to you. The good thing is your family will only be a phone call away any time, but if you want to be nearer to them, then you can take that into consideration too. Wherever you go, if you enjoy the subject and work hard, you will thrive. Just make sure to check in with yourself and work out what it is you really want to do first, before you listen to the opinions of others. They are important to consider, but you know yourself best.
I hope that makes sense, it is only my opinion, but I have had friends in similar situations so I am going off what they have told me
Evie (final year medic at UoS)
Thank you so much for your response: this is very helpful!
Original post by squashedpanda
If there are offer holder days then definitely try to go those and if not visit the Unis anyway. Course content is very important so consider the detail and any options on course on different years and very close behind consider where you like the feel of, it will be your home for a few years so best if you like it as a place as well as liking the accomodations offerings. You still have plenty of time to make your decision so use that time to really consider all of the above and only when you have your favourites (and if its still important to you as by then you might have a clear favourite) you might consider prestige.
With regards your study. Trust yourself. You know yourself better than anyone and are best placed to know what you need to do to get to where you want to be. Focus on doing the above and it will give you the confidence to put anyone else's input to one side and just go for what you want for yourself.
I'm a parent and its very easy to get encouragement wrong sometimes, try to keep your main focus on your target and let any irritations pass over you as much as you can. Good luck!
With regards your study. Trust yourself. You know yourself better than anyone and are best placed to know what you need to do to get to where you want to be. Focus on doing the above and it will give you the confidence to put anyone else's input to one side and just go for what you want for yourself.
I'm a parent and its very easy to get encouragement wrong sometimes, try to keep your main focus on your target and let any irritations pass over you as much as you can. Good luck!
Thank you so much for your advice!
Reply 5
For history? Rankings and prestige means jack diddly squat.
Original post by random_matt
For history? Rankings and prestige means jack diddly squat.
😂 the way you wrote this is so funny.
But seriously, why?
Reply 7
Original post by Syncola
😂 the way you wrote this is so funny.
But seriously, why?
But seriously, why?
Because world rankings are heavily skewed towards research and citations, nothing to do with teaching standards, although; one could make a case that this could help with postgraduate research degree's.
UK rankings have more than one company providing them and all have different metrics in creating their tables. Secondly; the people who cry out 'Russell group universities' on a regular basis have zero idea why it was created in the first place, there are plenty of universities just as good outside of this group.
Original post by Syncola
Here's my dilemma:
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
Hi there,
It's great to hear you're considering studying with us!
One of the best things I would advise to help make your decision is to chat to one of our current students or a member of staff here: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/chat/. You can filter by 'Area of Study' to find a student on your chosen course and ask them any questions you may have about university life, your course, accommodation and more!
You can also book a guided tour of our beautiful campus to discover more about us: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/student-life/visit-royal-holloway/book-a-campus-tour/
If you need any further help, do let us know.
Best wishes,
Royal Holloway, University of London
Reply 9
I suggest that you go to a university which you like and from which you can obtain an offer. Do not worry about prestige or parental opinion.
If in doubt, and if you could spend a gap year constructively, wait and apply with achieved grades. If you obtain AAA, you could have a pop at Oxford. If you obtain ABB, you might be happy at RHUL.
If in doubt, and if you could spend a gap year constructively, wait and apply with achieved grades. If you obtain AAA, you could have a pop at Oxford. If you obtain ABB, you might be happy at RHUL.
Original post by Syncola
Here's my dilemma:
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
Hi, it's great to hear you are thinking of studying at Southampton!
As others have said, I would really recommend going to offer holder days or even just visit the universities, which really helped me make my desicion when I was applying. It's also important to look at the surrounding area, and what modules are offered for the course you are on - these will all impact your university experience.
Remember it is ultimately your choice - pick what you think is best! If you have any more questions about my experience at Southampton (although I do study Zoology) feel free to ask me.
Hope this helps,
Rachel (UoS ambassador)
Reply 11
Original post by Syncola
Here's my dilemma:
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
Hey!
You have basically described my dilemma from last year, I applied for Cardiff, Southampton, Royal Holloway, Edinburgh and Exeter and I firmed Southampton, went to see it on the open days, loved it and the city, but the closer I got to starting uni I realised it just wasn't really me. Holloway had the better modules for my specific interests, I preferred Egham to Southampton, and went to see it on an open day and fell in love with Royal Holloway. I asked UCAS if they could switch my firm and insurance choices and they did so I'll be studying at Royal Holloway in September, for History as well!!!
What matters most for a uni is how much you feel like its right for you, if a uni is lower in the rankings but it feels right then you'll enjoy your time more and come out with probably better grades than if the uni was a russell group but didn't feel quite right. Royal Holloway is also pretty close to Southampton if you do look at the rankings, and as a uni of LOndon you can take some option modules at other London unis (I think) so there's so many options.
Both are great unis and I can only tell you from my experience how I felt about it, but hopefully this has helped a little at least! Feel free to DM about this if you want to as well
Reply 12
Original post by Syncola
Here's my dilemma:
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
I just went to Krakow, which just cemented my love of history and had a conversation with my history teacher and he said that at university it is more like coursework and I loved the process of researching and writing my history coursework.
Originally, I thought I'd just do english single honours at a more prestigious university (UCL, KCL) but at the back of my mind I knew I'd miss studying history and miss the opportunity to hear from lecturers and write about so many more interesting periods that I wouldn't have the chance to study at A-Level.
So, I thought no; I love history. I want to do it, along with English at university. I like taking a historicist approach to literature and I enjoy finding out the reasons why writers write, which is inextricably linked to history. But the universities I applied with joint are: Royal Holloway and Southampton.
When I told my mum that I want to do joint honours at Royal Holloway she said I was lowering my standards: but I'm not, I just really love their specific course. And Southampton is quite far and going to royal holloway is cheaper but i don't know, I have to visit southampton first.
What do you think I should do? Do you think it would be better to go to a prestigious university: how much impact does the university's name really have if you've got a good degree?
I don't know if I should just go to Southampton instead since it is a russel group and I just feel hurt by my mum so moving away just seems, in this moment, such a good outcome.
She's really upset me by criticising me just because I got a B on my last history mock (2 marks away from an A) and I still have another paper to get back, so my mark might've actually been an A. Also I was 2.5% from an A* in english. And I would've got an A in RS (not confirmed, but according to most grade boundaries.)
She says I'm lowering my standards and not working hard enough but it's just I have to get my coursework perfect which is why I haven't been JUST revising.
If you've read all of this, thank you so much.
The first motive should be to go to the university that you want to attend because of the course, community and university life. It is better to be happy at Southampton or RHUL than sad at UCL or other places.
Reply 13
Your choice of university is for you, not for your Mum. As noted above, ideas of "prestige" are irrelevant. Study what you want to study at a university where you'd like to study.
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