Uni Advice

RoachycaL

RoachycaL

RoachycaL

Soldato
Joined
2 Jan 2006
Posts
3,152
Location
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Hey guys I guess I'm looking for some advice

I'm 17 and in my final year is sixth form in Newcastle and I've been looking at Uni's in and around that area - went to the Northumbria open day and liked the look of "Computer and Network Technology" so that's definatly one of my choices so far.

I'm not sure Northumbria's the best for computing so I'm also looking for advice on where I should be going if I'm looking at computing courses. I'm also completely lost about where I should stay. I'm not sure about student accommodation as I'm basically living in a room with a bed and a desk... However I am looking to be in with all of the social aspects of Uni as I'm a hardcore gamer at the moment ;) If I did go to accommodation what would I do about my 360 & TV? Stuff like that...

Its crossed my mind about renting a flat with some random's but then I don't know if I would be out of the Social boundary's of uni - same with living at home. I need people who have done this all before and can give me lots and lots of THEIR advice about the dos and donts of uni :)

Thx
 
if you game online, the internet connection in some uni halls sucks
in some, it is also monitored downloads - and downloading 'illegally' can get you kicked out
if it's freedom you're after, i'd go for a house rather than halls
some unis will arrange this for you, or if you live within commuting distance, you could wait till you start - there are always loads of 'flat mate wanted' posters up, especially at the beginning of term

i don't know how many hours a week you're likely to do on a commuting course (im sure others here could tell you)
but if you are more into gaming than going out - it might be an expensive rooom swap moving out of home - without much change of lifestyle :)

but it is a great way to meet people (if you leave your room!!)
 
Northumbria is a good uni, though I can't comment on the computing course :P
Society wise, I know that a couple of unis my friends go to have computer gaming societies, though northumbria doesn't. Good selection of other socs, though. Nice union too.

You'll most likely need to pay for a TV license, assuming you'll be watching tv and not just playing with the 360.

I was stuck in the Parrish Court flats last year, and they were absolutely rubbish. Its basically where they stick everyone who doesn't get into halls. Avoid at all costs.
This year, I'm in a flat with a couple of other students. £55 a week plus utilities isn't too bad, and its about a 20 minute walk to the city centre.
 
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iviv, you should edit out the swearing to avoid a suspension. :)

RoachycaL, I'd definitely recommend halls if you can. Staying at home or in a rented flat doesn't mean you won't have fun but you will have to try that bit harder to get involved as unfortunately being away from the centre of the action means that you can be forgotten about more easily. I found that there was almost always something going on in halls which made it interesting if not always great for sleep.
 
Cool thanks for all the replies :) Problem is if I wanted to go into accommodation - living in Newcastle and going to Northumbria would be nigh impossible wouldnt it? Also iviv which part of the city are you living in if you don't mind me asking? I'm in Fenham so its about a 20 minute walk for me also...

I might start looking elsewhere as in moving out from Newcastle all-together I just don't know. I've got so much crap I would have to leave behind though :p I would be gaming but also going out - sort of an even If I could.
 
If you're still a hardcore gamer after one month at university, there's something very wrong with you. I used to play counter-strike for seven hours every day. I never play it now. Move into university accommodation, whether self-catered or catered, you need to be in the middle of the action, meeting people and messing around on campus in the bars and in your halls. Independence is the whole point of university, don't miss out on your chance to do it. And what more do you need in a room other than a desk and a bed? You'll be able to fit a TV and an XBox in your room obviously too....
 
id say stop being a geek and move into halls. You can live without online gaming for a year! you will never have as good a time without the halls experience and you can always find a internet cafe with online gaming anyway.

Move away and enjoy yourself!
 
I'm in halls atm, been here for about two weeks. Worst thing is the noise, constantly drunken idiots shouting and making noise at night, you can't get a decent amount of sleep so I find myself falling asleep in lectures and missing work...etc

If I could go back and choose between halls and private accomodation I would definitely go with private accommodation.

Also the internet restricts torrent downloads (Even for legitimate purposes, sigh) and I can't play anything online without getting permission first.
 
I'd definately recommend staying in halls, and moving away from Newcastle. In my experience, people who live closer to home are more tempted to go back at the weekends for friends who haven't moved away or just so their parents will do stuff for them. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but if you go home, you're likely to miss out on a lot at uni, and there's less chance of making new friends.

I know plenty of people who have taken consoles to uni, and if you have some multiplayer games, it can actually be a good way of socialising ;).
 
As others have said, staying in halls really is part of uni life (certainly as a fresher at least) and you'll miss out on a lot if you don't. Also, I'd be very, very surprised if you're still a hardcore gamer after a month or so of living in halls; there's so much more to do at uni that you just won't need to play games that much.
 
Ok sorry to lead you guys into a ditch in some aspects but I don't know why I said I was a hardcore gamer to be honest.... I hardcore gamer plays none stop and that's not me. If I'm lucky I get 3-4 hours worth of the Xbox every day due to A Level work. To be honest I don't know If I would want to take it with me - especially a 32" TV, infact thinking about it now its probably a bad idea! I can never get an overall decision - I know a lot of people here are saying stay in halls, but I've got mates live in flats with a bunch of randoms and they love it - I also know people who stayed at home!

I think I really have to sit down and think properly about it as in the end its what I want to do not what other people want me to do or tell me what I should do :) I also need to start looking at other Uni's - any idea's? Ive been told Leed's is awesome.
 
RoachycaL said:
I hardcore gamer plays none stop and that's not me. If I'm lucky I get 3-4 hours worth of the Xbox every day due to A Level work.
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Three to four hours a day on top of A-level work and having to go to school is a lot of gaming time.

Move into halls and have the best time of your life. Stay at home and post about how glad you were that you stayed at home whilst anyone who ever moved into halls laughs and knows that isn't true (if they have the time to come and read it). :)
 
RoachycaL said:
Cool thanks for all the replies :) Problem is if I wanted to go into accommodation - living in Newcastle and going to Northumbria would be nigh impossible wouldnt it? Also iviv which part of the city are you living in if you don't mind me asking? I'm in Fenham so its about a 20 minute walk for me also...
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I'm in Fenham too. Sidney Grove :)
 
Hi, (1st post!)

Had to comment as I've just started my final year at Northumbria :(.

I'd heard good things about Leeds but when I went to visit it just didn't suit me. Best thing to do is talk to students already on the courses you're interested in and see if the content suits you.

As for moving out of home (as others have said) DO IT! My parents live in North Shields, I'm sure you know where it is ;) so I know quite a lot of people who are at Northumbria/Newcastle who have stayed at home and really don't see what the fuss of uni is about. 99% of the fun part of uni isn't even in uni -yes work you're ass off but have fun at the same time:

-Move into halls if you can -you'll meet loads of really cool people and generally there are very few numpties at university (it's not quite as easy to get in as some people make out!). Every incident in halls I've heard of has been dealt with really well and sorted quickly by the accommodation management.

-Join a sports club (if you're into any). There's tons to suit any ability from elite standard to just for fun. If you're not into sport join a society that interests you (bonus if you've never done it before!). In both cases, again, you get to meet loads of great people and try new things. I played on the basketball team in my 1st and 2nd year and had a great time -not just playing but nights out and even the travelling to away games.

-Of the people I've know none have had problems gaming or downloading in halls -just be smart with d/l and don't got over the top ;)

-As Vixen said consoles can be good for socialising -just don't lock yourself away on your own!

-If you do the above after your first year you'll know loads of people and can move into a flat/house and it wont be with "randoms".

I wouldn't worry about which halls you get put in - by chance I was put in the "posh" one and my girlfriend in the "worst" one in our first year but really there's very little difference -it's the people you're living with that make it not the actual surroundings. Generally the older ones are right on campus whereas the more modern ones are a 5min walk away.

As I said my parents are only about 15-20mins drive from the uni and I'm not home all the time - its handy as it means I can still go to training with my friends from home when I have the time and pop in the see the folks! :p

Best thing about uni though is meeting new people and learning to be independent.

Just ask if there's anything else you're wondering!

Hope that helps! :)
 
give up gaming, it sucks
live in halls
move away, to the other end of the country, do something completely new.

if you are complaining about the internet access in your halls then quite simply you need to get out more.
 
hops15 said:
Hi, (1st post!)

Had to comment as I've just started my final year at Northumbria :(.

I'd heard good things about Leeds but when I went to visit it just didn't suit me. Best thing to do is talk to students already on the courses you're interested in and see if the content suits you.

As for moving out of home (as others have said) DO IT! My parents live in North Shields, I'm sure you know where it is so I know quite a lot of people who are at Northumbria/Newcastle who have stayed at home and really don't see what the fuss of uni is about. 99% of the fun part of uni isn't even in uni -yes work you're ass off but have fun at the same time:

-Move into halls if you can -you'll meet loads of really cool people and generally there are very few numpties at university (it's not quite as easy to get in as some people make out!). Every incident in halls I've heard of has been dealt with really well and sorted quickly by the accommodation management.

-Join a sports club (if you're into any). There's tons to suit any ability from elite standard to just for fun. If you're not into sport join a society that interests you (bonus if you've never done it before!). In both cases, again, you get to meet loads of great people and try new things. I played on the basketball team in my 1st and 2nd year and had a great time -not just playing but nights out and even the travelling to away games.

-Of the people I've know none have had problems gaming or downloading in halls -just be smart with d/l and don't got over the top

-As Vixen said consoles can be good for socialising -just don't lock yourself away on your own!

-If you do the above after your first year you'll know loads of people and can move into a flat/house and it wont be with "randoms".

I wouldn't worry about which halls you get put in - by chance I was put in the "posh" one and my girlfriend in the "worst" one in our first year but really there's very little difference -it's the people you're living with that make it not the actual surroundings. Generally the older ones are right on campus whereas the more modern ones are a 5min walk away.

As I said my parents are only about 15-20mins drive from the uni and I'm not home all the time - its handy as it means I can still go to training with my friends from home when I have the time and pop in the see the folks! :p

Best thing about uni though is meeting new people and learning to be independent.

Just ask if there's anything else you're wondering!

Hope that helps! :)
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I'm Getting psyched up for it now! :D <3 & I really appreciate that advice!

Just say for instance if I was going to Northumbria - would I get into accommodation if I live in Newcastle already?

I'm gonna start looking at other uni's tomorrow - anybody know what the good ones are for computer courses such as computer science and the like? :p
 
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