Interview with a Leicester Student

 

I thought I would do a Q&A…. with myself 🙂

 

Below I will set out some of the most frequently asked questions which students would put to me when I worked as a Law School Ambassador. Note that the answers reflect my experiences. It is definitely worth going along to open days and asking different students and members of staff the same questions and any more that you can think of because to an extent, everyone’s experience is different.

 

What is it like to live in Leicester?

For me, Leicester has come to embody a huge sense of freedom. I come from a small village in the countryside from which there are a total of 2 buses each day to the nearest towns. Since moving to Leicester my independence has surged tremendously. I can walk, cycle, catch a bus or a train to wherever I want to go. I always joke that my favourite thing about Leicester is being able to get a bottle of milk at unsociable hours if the need calls for it! Leicester has everything you could need, all your favourite high street shops , supermarkets, pubs, clubs and cinemas. What’s more, London is only just over an hour away which is pretty handy.

 

Now, I realise that with all cities you are going to be able to buy milk at ungodly hours and have access to high street shops and cinemas etc. But importantly, each city has its own character and I would describe Leicester as a pleasant, bustling but not overwhelming city.

 

I can say in all sincerity that I love living in Leicester. I was thinking just the other day, when the sun was shining and I was meandering into town, that I haven’t simply lived in Leicester,  I have felt at home here.

 

What do you like most about the University of Leicester (UoL)?

 

There are a great many things that I like about the University of Leicester but a  big plus to studying at UoL is that the campus is fantastically convenient. You will be within walking distance of all of your classes once on campus, which is in stark contrast to the state of affairs at many city and even some campus universities, for which a mad dash on your bike or public transport could be in order for you to get from one class to the next.

 

What is the workload like?

 

In addition to going to lectures each week, you are also required to attend a tutorial for each module every other week. You will be given a list of reading to do and questions which you are asked to prepare answers to in advance of the tutorials. Quite often the reading will comprise of a chapter of the recommended textbook for that module. In addition you are often encouraged to read an academic article or two to help add depth to your understanding of the topic under discussion. Some modules will focus upon academic reading and suggest a chapter in a textbook as background reading. As with all of the work you have done for school up until this point, the workload is manageable provided that you do little and often and stay on top of your reading.

 

It is definitely a balancing act; making sure that you put aside sufficient time for work, societies and leisure activities, your friends, family and yourself. It can seem overwhelming at first but do not worry because you are:

A. not the only one who feels that way and

B. you will find a way to manage your time that works for you as you settle in at Uni.

 

If you ever feel as though things are getting on top of you or out of hand, you can always arrange to have a chat with your personal tutor who should be able to help you.

 

How is the course assessed?

 

Each module has its own means of assessment. A number of the core modules are assessed by an exam at the end of the year which accounts for 100% of your mark in that module. Other modules will be assessed by a mixture of assessed essay and exam. There are also modules which are assessed by coursework alone. The mode of assessment for the particular modules which you are taking will be made clear to you when you begin the course at the latest. Before you choose your option modules for second and third year you will be given information about how each module is assessed.

 

What sort of clubs and societies are on offer?

 

Absolutely all sorts. Just to give you a flavour of the variety of societies you could be a part of as a Leicester student I will list just a few of them: Airsoft, Bass and DJ, Debate Society, KnitSoc, Parkour, Poker, Quidditch.

Check out the full list on the Students’ Union Website

 

What is the nightlife like?

 

Leicester is home to a sizeable selection of pubs and clubs. I would say that there is something for all tastes in music and budget. We are lucky enough to have our own o2 academy on campus which plays host to club nights, bands and comedy sets. The Rockstar Promotions flyers will become a familiar sight to you in the students’ union. These flyers set out the events of the week each week. In addition to this many of the local pubs and clubs host student nights. So where nightlife is concerned, Leicester has got you covered.

 

I hope that this has been of some help to you. If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.