Changing course
A realistic Guide to life at UCLan - written by students!
Comments from students
Your first choice isn’t always the best.
Second year Politics student Lee took time out of his hectic social life to tell his story:
“I guess I’m a mature student, except that I go out drinking so much I wouldn’t really use that word! I started off on a foundation course because I didn’t go to college. After that I went on to a combined honours in Politics and Journalism, then switched my degree at the end of semester one of the first year to Politics and Religion, Culture and Society. I love uni and don’t want to finish. I want to stay forever!”
The same can be said for Archaeology third year Sarah – apart from the drinking! She said:
“I guess I’d probably be described as a mature student now. Straight after college I had a gap year then came to uni and started on Forensic Science. After the first semester I realised it wasn’t for me, so I switched to Archaeology. UCLan was great in helping me with that. After switching courses, I was actually 20 by the time I started my first year. I love uni, it’s great and it’s been brilliant for me.”
If you do make the wrong choice of course, it’s not necessarily the end of the world. Aled is a third year Forensic Science student and things didn’t start off in the way he had planned:
“I went to Hull as soon as I left school to do Chemistry with Forensic Toxicology, realised it was the wrong course for me, then did a gap year where I worked for pretty much the whole year. I came here after my gap year and in three years I’ve had no problems. I’m hoping to do a Masters if I get the right degree.”
An important part of the learning process is provided by your lecturer. A good relationship with your lecturer is useful, so it pays to make the effort. Obviously some are more approachable than others but any lecturer worth his or her salt will appreciate a student who is enthusiastic and interested.