My First Year Highlights

As first year has now drawn to a close and I am sat here at my summer job missing Warwick horrendously, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on what truly was the best year of my life so far (I am incredibly dramatic but this is for once not a dramatization):

1. The people

First and foremost, is the best part about Warwick: the people. Students at Warwick are some of the most innovative, outspoken and strong willed people I have ever met. I always feel pushed in classes by other students in the best possible way. I have also found my chosen family at uni; many of the people I have met in my first year have become like my siblings and it is so joyous to be around every day.

As well as this, Warwicks academic staff are are group of supportive and encouraging people! Even in seminars where I felt less confident about the topic of discussion, the staff member in charge still made me feel like my contribution was worthy of everyones time.

The people really make this institution incredible!

2. Sports Ball

Completely different from my first highlight, one of the best events of my first year was Sports Ball. After becoming a part of the “Warwick Tramps” family, it was a pleasure to get to spend the night eating, drinking and dancing together after a great year.

Sports Ball was held at a beautiful venue and allowed all Sports Societies to come and get tickets. It was so fun to not only party with my trampoline pals but also other friends from one of the many different societies.

I would really recommend all first years go to Sports Ball! Oh and do join a sports soc first haha.

3. Course structures

Personally, as a PAIS student, one thing that I found particularly amazing was being able to mould my degree to me. Not only was there flexibility in module choice (which is often rare in first year), but also plenty of different assessment methods. This was perfect for me as I am someone who really struggles in exam conditions, so with this course I was able to pick modules that not only did I find interesting but modules that I knew I could also do well in.

As well as this, the joys of being treated like an adult also meant being able to have control over your academic schedule. This was exactly what I have needed for a long time. I have always been a night owl so timetabling my seminars to later in the day was great for me as it meant I was able to be so much more productive. The best part about this freedom however is that it does have some constraints. For example, my lectures are timetabled in for me, which means that I was still forced out of bed before lunchtime most days.

The independence university brings you is incredible but it is great that I felt we were eased into this new and exciting way of academic life.

Overall, I cannot rate Warwick highly enough! Not only that, but I am extremely thankful for everything university has done for me. I am so excited for this academic year!