University, we all wonder what it will be like. Will it be hard? Will I make friends? Will I survive?! Well, let me tell you this, it is scary, but a good type of scary, because it’s an important decision that brings a lot of changes, and lots of adventures and new experiences.
I’m a biomedical sciences student from Spain who wanted to study her degree in the UK, and here I am now, studying Biomed as a second year student at Brunel University London. I won’t lie, first year was a bit hard, especially because of the fact I was starting university and was far from my family. However, I also made new amazing friends from my flat and the society I joined. I got to discover London, I learnt a lot about my field, and I obtained laboratory experience from our lab sessions. We had 4 labs in the whole academic year because of COVID, current students have much more than that.
If you are an international/EU student, like me, you will have to leave your family behind, and hey, I know what it’s like, but trust me, it’s worth it. At first, it was hard and I felt alone, but with time I got to know some of my flatmates - they were and are amazing! We would go out together, have fun, or we would just enjoy ourselves at the flat.
What about lectures and university? Well, I was surprised because when I saw my timetable for the first time, it showed, for example, 2 lectures on Monday, 3 on Wednesday, and 1 on Thursday of around 1hr each (some were 2hrs), the rest of the days were empty. I would have most of my lectures online - because of COVID, and then spent the rest of the day making notes and projects. If I felt like I needed some rest, I would watch a cool series/movie, or go out and walk around campus (it’s soo lovely 😍). I would also go out with my friends to Central, walk and eat around London, or party at our flat or the Venue (the university’s nightclub), and have a great time.
University itself wasn’t that hard, the lectures were fine and really interesting. We would have lab practicals such as the PCR ( Polymerase chain reaction) practical, and also online lab practicals. Final exams seemed quite scary but being honest, it wasn’t such an issue, I studied, worked hard, and passed the exams with good grades. It’s all about working hard and paying attention.
So, to everyone who’s reading this and wants to study Biomed, do it! It’s completely worth it and I’m sure you will have a great time and learn fascinating things you didn’t even imagine you could learn. There will also be difficult times, yes, but what is life without a challenge?