Editor’s note: This article is in response to Daniel Lloyd’s piece on being a live-a
Editor’s note: This article is in response to Daniel Lloyd’s piece on being a live-at-home student, published on the 2nd of March.
I couldn’t disagree more.
I moved from London to study marketing at the University of Lincoln and honestly, it was the best move I’ve ever made. Let’s go through some of the points Daniel made, and offer a different perspective.
Money:
Yes, living in official university branded student accommodation is going to be expensive, you’d be wrong to think otherwise but there are plenty of other options out there for students after cheaper (more realistically priced) student accommodation.
For example, Lincoln University charges £110 per week for a room in one ‘Junxion’, a large block of student accommodation. This is expensive, there’s no arguing that. However, I live less than 60-seconds away from there (and have a bigger living space). With bills my rent comes to £70 per week—much more reasonable. For those willing to walk a little, rent on a room approximately a 5 minute walk away from the university is around £65 per week, including all bills. Bargain.
Assignments:
Yes, first year might entail excessive drinking but when it really matters students bonding together in the Library at silly o’clock in the morning can boost your overall marks. Think about it, pooling ideas with fellow students means you’re much more likely not to miss out a key point. What happens when you forget that key term or the author you want to ‘name drop’ in your assignment? Oh wait, several people doing the same one are sitting around you. Bazinga.
Work/career:
Yay, networking. Networking is a fantastic way of getting to know people in your local area, but if you don’t have a strong network in your home town, city or area by the age of 18 or 19 (when people usually leave for university), what have you been doing?!
For example, I left a strong network in London when moving to Lincoln. I knew no-one. Literally, not one single person. Three years later, walking down the High Street and saying hello to every few people is the norm. Network, network, network. Moreover, networking in your local area is great…if that’s where you want your career. Dive into the deep end. Live life a little, please?
There’s an aspect of student engagement that I firmly believe students miss out on if they don’t take the plunge and move out of home. You have to do it at some point, university is the best excuse. Plus, there’s just something about borrowing Tesco own-brand beans from some flatmates because you have 4p to your name.
Moral of the story—take the plunge. It’ll be a giggle, promise.
What do you think? Do you agree with James? What is your thought of the university experience? Have your say in the comments section below, on Facebook or on Twitter.
