Your student life in London can be anything you want
Let me introduce myself. I am a Norwegian, 22-year-old psychology student at the University of Roehampton, currently in the final moments of my bachelor's degree. I have been asked to write something about my experience as a student in London, and so I will. Note that I am not the most academic. However, you don't need to be. I appreciate social settings and have often procrastinated in the worst times. The University of Roehampton has allowed me to perform exceptionally academically and have a content-rich social life. Now, let's start with the first question.
Why study in the UK at all?
While both accommodation and universities are expensive, you must adapt to a different culture and work with constant translation; it's an experience of immense value. Even though the UK is close to Norway and the resemblances in the society are countless, the culture shock pops the Norwegian "bubble" in more than one way. I wanted to become more connected to the international community and expand my network while still being able to travel home for the weekend if needed. So, why not move to one of the most extensive network boosters in the world? Many are saddened by feeling small in a city of this size. In my eyes, to think that your surroundings are huge must mean that the opportunities are limitless. Therefore, it can be difficult, but the benefits of the experience are more significant than the detriments.
Some points that Google won't tell you about Roehampton
Roehampton is just fresh air for a Norwegian in a concrete jungle. Living in London, like any European city, involves a lot of walking. Therefore, you appreciate walking around a large campus surrounded by nature. The pathways around the lakes are my favourite parts, as I sometimes get accompanied by ducks, geese, squirrels, and other smaller animals. The simpler things enhance your daily moods, like nature or the occasional tiny pumpkin hidden along the trails around Halloween. Second on my definitely written down favourite list, I can study anywhere. Changing your study environment is surprisingly helpful when most of your time is spent studying. If it's not the massive library, it might be the student union, the Whitelands Campus computer room, one of several diners, a green lawn anywhere or in Richmond Park right down the road (loads of deer). On your way around campus, you will often meet people you know. The campus is a miniature society that makes you feel at home, even if London is a concrete jungle.
Living surrounded by students
Firstly, my university accommodation experience was as follows: I lived my first year at Whitelands College, my second year off campus, and my third year at Froebel College. For your first year as a student from another country, the smartest thing you do is move into campus halls. You surround yourself with students doing different courses from different places and cultures. This way, integrating yourself into the UK and the university campus will be fast and straightforward. Furthermore, living in student accommodation is a minimalistic practice. You have delegated cupboards in the kitchen and your room (with a shower and toilet if you choose ensuite). The room usually has one bed, desk, and chair, so there is little to work on. However, the university provides a maintenance team that fixes anything broken, a cleaner team that cleans the common area once a week, security is available 24/7, and you don't have to think about the cost of wi-fi or electricity. All this for one stable price is a good deal. Most importantly, you get flat mates who often become your closest friends. In my experience, if I ever felt like taking a study break, needed consulting, or needed to be social, I just stepped into the kitchen. Thus, you don't have to be worried about not making friends.
A liquid life in London
Student life in London is different. Back home, I am used to a schedule that is mostly the same every week, where you usually know everything going on in town. In contrast, being a student in London means every week is different. It depends on what you choose to do in your spare time and what you study (I only have lectures two days a week). Some weeks consist of events hosted by the university (if you live on campus, it's literally in your backyard) or the student union. Other weeks are reading weeks (no lecture week), and some are filled with sports society matches. There are students out and about almost every waking hour, and what I love the most is that It's always the right day or time to let go of your pencil and go out to central London. Everything is just available all the time. Overall, your student life in London can be anything you want.
Psychology: the study of everything
I study Psychology, based at Whitelands College (a campus separate from the main campus). I chose this field of science because my experiences stretching mental barriers made me curious about what the mind is capable of and why. Who would not be interested in learning more about themselves and everyone else? Also, it's more than just learning about mental illnesses. It's to understand how everything humanity has ever done is based on the basics of the brain. Throughout the first part, I was introduced to general psychology themes like social, developmental, research and statistics, psychological problem solving and psychology in the real world. We had only two days of lectures from 09:00-16:00. The further into my studies, the more interested I got in the biological aspect, most related to neuropsychology. Now I wish to study and work with both psychological and physical trauma in the future.
Dive into my most basic week
No week is the same, but here is a generalised basic week in my life at Roehampton. Monday starts with many emails after breakfast (emails will become frequent as a university student). Then, walk to Roehampton's pride and joy, the campus library. After independent studying, I walk to Rosslyn Park down the road for my rugby training. Tuesday consists of walking (10 minutes) to Whitelands College for my early hour lectures, 11:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:00. If I haven't made lunch at home, I usually get something from the diner. The food there is varied and so good that I end up "forgetting" lunch a bit too often. In the evening, I usually go to the gym on or off campus. Wednesday is Roehampton's society day, where sports matches also take place. I typically participate in the Amnesty Student Society I am part of unless there is a rugby match that day. Thursday is specifically tough with its 09:00-11:00 and 14:00-16:00 lectures. Friday usually consists of an effective morning of studying with friends and volunteering at the nearby Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability. The weekend is about relaxing, doing what you want and regaining that will to learn the following week.
Societies are more important than you think
Student societies are essential to any university and make a massive difference if you are in your first year. There are societies for every student. It might be a society focusing on human rights, anime, debating, film, nutrition, poetry, or the law. Starting your own society if you get enough interested students is also relatively simple. Sports societies are especially important for Roehampton and for your student experience. We have sports like hockey, cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, e-sports, tennis, football, and rugby. At my rugby training, I meet British, American, Australian, and South American lads who have grown up with rugby and some abroad student like me who started without knowledge of the sport. Some are there just for fun. Others take it more seriously, and that's fine. You are all on the same team, in the same boat, playing the same matches, riding the same waves. This definitely reflects on all the different sports societies at Roehampton. Also, the social aspect is the best part, as sometimes the team will gather after training at the student union for some socialising. After a match on a Wednesday, the rugby team (as well as other societies) arranges social activities of different kinds that often make you come home quite late. It is an excellent way to bond with the team and make friends, but your body will ache from the match the following day, and your head will ache from the night out if you are that type. So yes, student societies are essential and make a massive difference if you are in your first year. From personal experience, my advice when you arrive is to get out there, including yourself, and try.
English at university is different from in school
English is not my first language; Norwegian is. I grew up with English from the early years of school, which made it easy to transition to British society. However, scientific and academic English was a wake-up call. It is more technical, descriptive, and formal, but you will quickly get used to it. Additionally, the university provides you with Studiosity, the "world leader in writing feedback and peer connection" (Studiosity.com, 2023). You can submit any paper anytime and get fast feedback on your writing, which is incredibly useful (they have even corrected this text). Eventually, I realised that writing is art, even if it's a research report. To write is to express, and there are so many ways to express. You will also find that the professors talk too fast and use words that make your brain muscles twist. Luckily, the university records most lectures, so you can review them again if needed. As mentioned, if you surround yourself with English people, this transition will go faster than you realise. Your very own British accent will catch on.
A good friend called Across the Pond
I applied to the University of Roehampton through Across the Pond (AP). It was the first link when I searched for universities in London. I filled out a form with my wishes and quickly got contacted by an AP adviser. I was happy when I learned that they give you an adviser that has been in your shoes. For example, my representative also started with their psychology degree at Roehampton University, so I knew this was the right person to ask for advice. They informed me of the documents needed for a university application and provided me with a list of universities in London offering an undergraduate degree in psychology. When I received my unconditional offer, my AP representative pointed me in the right direction regarding accommodation. You can ask AP about anything, and they follow you along the way even after you have started at the university. Thus, I recommend contacting Across the Pond to make it easier for you.
- Victor-Jose