The Student Room Group

Uni regrets…

I’m considering which uni to firm right now, just curious as to whether anyone
regretted the uni they attended or attend currently and it would be interesting to hear the reason(s) why?

Reply 1

Original post
by Anonymous
I’m considering which uni to firm right now, just curious as to whether anyone
regretted the uni they attended or attend currently and it would be interesting to hear the reason(s) why?
I chose my university after going to an open day. It was one of my lower down the list choices when I first started to apply but after going in person and seeing the unis in the flesh if you get me, my list totally changed! It’s such a personal choice that seeing how you feel there is really important. Can you picture yourself spending the next 3 + years studying and living there. Does the uni have good facilities for your needs specifically? What about the department? Does the course contain modules that you personally find interesting and want to learn more about?

There’s lots to consider but it is really dependent on your own wish list, be true to yourself and what you want, it’s your course!

Good luck with everything and if I can help further feel free to ask!

Reply 2

Original post
by Anonymous
I’m considering which uni to firm right now, just curious as to whether anyone
regretted the uni they attended or attend currently and it would be interesting to hear the reason(s) why?

Hi,

I hope you are well! Firming a uni can be very tough decision as you want to make sure you make the right choice and get the best experience you can! My best advice is to consider a few factors and then base your decision off these. Factors such as, the course (does it cover things that interest you and how will you be assessed?), the location (do you want to move out further away from home or be somewhere that is a bit closer and what is the place like for students?), and the uni itself (what sort of reputation does the uni have and is there anyone you know who goes/went there who can tell you all about it?).

By thinking about these things it can help to narrow down your choices to one overall and give you an overview on which university will suit you best. I chose Liverpool based off the fact that I had been to the city before and felt very welcome and safe here and also I had heard from many people that LJMU was an amazing university and they had thoroughly enjoyed their time there. I definitely do not regret my decision to come to LJMU. What are the options of universities for you? It might be worth posting on the forums for each uni and seeing if you can get some answers back from people who are currently studying there or that have previously studied there!

I hope this response has helped, let me know if you have any other questions, I am more than happy to help!

Thanks, Matt 😊
Official LJMU Student Rep

Reply 3

The choice of Uni will be highly applicant specific.

There is a heap of factors to consider:

Location, is it close to home, friends or family? Maybe you want to be far away from this? Maybe it's close to the bus station or airport and you're an international student

Other friends/family are studying there or reported good experiences there

Reputation of the course you intend to study at the Institution in question

Curriculum and course layout, structure and teaching styles

Cost of living in the area in question

Nightlife/amenities/proximity to activities or areas involved in various activities you want to take part in

External course verification or accreditation- some Universities have this for particular courses, others might not

Research interest you have is actively pursued at your desired University or by Professors you are hoping to study under

General vibes of the place or campus

Quality of pastoral care in your chosen institution

Just feels right on an open day and you can see yourself studying here (this happened to me, made my mind up there and then)

And many other factors. It is very difficult for anyone to advise without knowing what your personal priorities are.

Reply 4

Original post
by Anonymous
I’m considering which uni to firm right now, just curious as to whether anyone
regretted the uni they attended or attend currently and it would be interesting to hear the reason(s) why?

Hi,

Lots of great advice already!

I think the amount of research I did really helped me make sure I was happy with my decision :smile:

I can share with you some previous posts I did which might help with making a decision and researching
Tips on Making a University Choice - The Student Room
Why Location is Important When Choosing a University - The Student Room
Key factors to consider when choosing a university - The Student Room

I hope this helps and good luck!
-Grace (Kingston Rep)
A few people i knew went to unis closer to home (and some commuted). They never regretted it at all.
Original post
by Anonymous
I’m considering which uni to firm right now, just curious as to whether anyone
regretted the uni they attended or attend currently and it would be interesting to hear the reason(s) why?
Hey,

Choosing the right university is a huge decision, and it’s completely natural to have those "what if" nerves before you commit! Most of the time, people feel regret because they chose a place based on what others wanted, rather than what actually suited their lifestyle.
I actually chose my university because of the convenience; I was already very familiar with the city and how everything works, which made the transition so much easier for me. Being a commuter, that familiarity really helped me balance my studies without the extra stress of getting lost in a new place!
Here are a few things to consider to help you feel confident in your choice:

Check the Modules: Look at the specific course content for all three years to make sure the topics actually excite you.

Visit if You Can: Visiting a campus during an Open Day is the best way to see if you can truly picture yourself living and studying there.

Consider the Vibe: Think about whether you prefer a busy city centre or a quieter campus feel, as this will be your home for the next few years.

My best advice is to ignore the "prestige" for a moment and ask yourself where you feel most at home. If you pick a place where you feel comfortable and supported, you’re much less likely to have any regrets!

Hope this helps, and best of luck with your decision!😊

Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism

Reply 7

Original post
by Anonymous
I’m considering which uni to firm right now, just curious as to whether anyone
regretted the uni they attended or attend currently and it would be interesting to hear the reason(s) why?
Hey!

I didn’t regret my choice in the end… but I completely understand the pressure of feeling like you have to pick the right place. It feels massive at the time. I was split between a few unis as well and genuinely worried I’d make the wrong decision and be stuck thinking what if the whole time.

What actually changed everything for me was going to an open day. I went to ARU and honestly… before the day had even ended I’d kind of made my mind up. There was just a feeling. Being there in person, walking around, seeing the facilities properly, sitting in on talks, getting a feel for the city… it’s so different from looking at websites and rankings.

Open days are such a good way to get a proper sense of the uni and the surrounding area you’d actually be living and studying in. You can talk to lecturers, chat to current students, ask the questions you actually care about. For me the big things were support, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, feeling like I wouldn’t just be a number, and knowing there were good placement opportunities and decent facilities. Once I felt that, it kind of clicked.

I totally get why you’re asking about regrets though. It makes sense… you want to avoid making a mistake. But just be careful not to base your decision mainly on other people’s bad experiences. Every uni will have someone who regrets going there, just like every uni will have someone who loved it. A lot of the time it comes down to personal circumstances, course expectations, finances, friendships… things that are really individual.

Hearing negatives can be useful, but try not to let them outweigh your own gut feeling and what matters most to you. What someone else hated might not even register as an issue for you.

If you can, visit again or attend any offer holder days. Picture yourself there. Can you see yourself studying in that library… living in that area… walking around that campus? Sometimes that feeling tells you more than a list of pros and cons.

It’s such a big decision but also remember… it’s not a life sentence. People transfer, people adapt, people make it work. Trust yourself a bit in this. The fact you’re thinking it through properly already puts you in a strong position.

Good luck making your decision! Sophie 🙂

Reply 8

Original post
by Anonymous
I’m considering which uni to firm right now, just curious as to whether anyone
regretted the uni they attended or attend currently and it would be interesting to hear the reason(s) why?

Hi Anom,

This is a great question.

I definitely would not let this worry you as there are plenty of options if you do not enjoy the university or course you have chosen. You can transfer universities (rules vary), change courses, take a gap year and more. You never need to feel trapped in the decision you have made. 😊

To answer your question, here are some reasons I've found people regret the university they have chosen:

Cost of living - I know many people who did not do prior research before moving and didn't realise how expensive accommodation in the area was, therefore causing some financial stress. This factor was really important to me prior to attending university, luckily my university is one of the cheapest in the UK for living expenses!

Distance - Being away from home can be hard and many students regret the distance. However the opposite is also true, with students who chose the stay close to home regretting not using the opportunity to explore a new city.

Pressure - Some people feel pressured to attend particular universities based off what friends, family and teachers want them to do. I had lots of pressure from my school to attend a Russel group, however I am so happy I chose the university I wanted instead.


Reasons differ for everyone and people will always have small doubts about whether they have made the right decision. You need to think about exactly what is important to you and what you value in a university, whether it's the modules, cost of living, location, assessment type, campus type and more. I highly recommend you attend an offer holder day so you can understand get a proper feel for the university.

I hope this helps, please feel feel to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (University of Lancashire)

Reply 9

Yes.

First university I had a brilliant time, loved the course and the place. But in retrospect I would having given more weight to employability.

Second university, I really struggled to settle into my PhD and postgrad community, wasn’t keen on the place and really should have walked away from that PhD (I got the offer of a much better suited one elsewhere) but along came a man just at the wrong time…
(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 10

Original post
by FiBox
Yes.
First university I had a brilliant time, loved the course and the place. But in retrospect I would having given more weight to employability.
Second university, I really struggled to settle into my PhD and postgrad community, wasn’t keen on the place and really should have walked away from that PhD (I got the offer of a much better suited one elsewhere) but along came a boy just at the wrong time…


Oh no I’m sorry you had a bad experience in your post grad. Referring to the first half of your response do you wish you had chosen an undergrad with better graduate prospects for employment?

Reply 11

Original post
by Anonymous
Oh no I’m sorry you had a bad experience in your post grad. Referring to the first half of your response do you wish you had chosen an undergrad with better graduate prospects for employment?

Yes. Course too. I loved the course - so much so I wanted to stay in academia (hence PhD). But I think I would have been better with something that led to better employment prospects (including post-PhD). But perhaps I would have hated any of those subjects!

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