Transferring to UCLan
A realistic Guide to life at UCLan - written by students!
By Rebecca Dixon, 2nd year, BA (Hons) Journalism
After leaving college I was so excited to get to university. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and I was ready to do it.
I knew that Journalism was the degree I needed to pursue, but I had no idea where to go and do it. Everyone I knew seemed to be moving away and it just seemed like the obvious choice.
I didn’t have a clue how to choose a university but one of my best friends was going to Northumbria University, in the centre of Newcastle. I loved the Geordie accent, I knew it had good shops, and they did my course, so I enrolled.
When people first move to University it’s so easy to get swept up in the excitement of going out all the time, coming in when you want, having your own little space, but I don’t think anyone tells you how much of a shock it can be.
Fresher’s Week was really strange for me. During the day I had nothing to do, and so my friends and I ended up shopping in the day, before going out at night. I think I spent my overdraft in the first three days.
I didn’t entirely get on with my flatmates because we were all so different and I just couldn’t enjoy myself at all.
Eventually, I realised that I needed to transfer. I contacted UCLan, who have a great reputation for Journalism anyway, and before I knew it I was back living at home and starting second year in Preston.
The transfer process was fairly straightforward. I came in, proved that I was someone who was willing to work hard, and reapplied through UCAS.
Starting again for a second year running was terrifying, but my course leader had already let people know that there was someone new and before my first day, a fellow student had emailed me and offered to help me if I needed it. I think the fact that I enjoy the course so much is really important, because if you’re doing work to be marked on, it can’t be stuff you hate doing or you’ll just never do it or do well.
I love the course now and I feel like I’ve settled in really quickly. I commute in from Bolton, I have a job in Manchester and I do work experience at Key 103.
I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything by living at home, because I know how much I didn’t like living in!
I think that the people you share University with either make it or break it for you, so if you don’t like who you’re living with then don’t be scared to ask to move.
Everyone is different and I’m glad I went to Newcastle, just to realise it wasn’t for me!