(5)·By Anneliese M·Zoology· Apr 2019 Freshers consisted of two weeks of themed nights which were lots of fun and helped me bond with flatmates. Each night had a different theme, and some of my favourites included the paint party and glitter party as they were more interactive than some of the outfit theme nights. The paint party also had a bouncy castle which was great. The events were spread around different nightclubs so it stayed varied and exciting. Definitely going to next year's Freshers.
I am currently living in cygnet wharf, which is definitely the nicest accommodation the university has. The rooms have lots of board space to put pictures and other things on and the ensuite toilets are very clean and aesthetically pleasing. Although the rooms are slightly smaller than other accommodations, we have 3/4 beds so it is very nice to get the extra bed space. The kitchen is also beautiful; part of it contains full-length windows and as it is a high-rise building we have wonderful views. We also have a large TV in the kitchen and a walk-in cupboard containing the cleaning items, eg vacuums, so they don't clog up the living space. The sofas in the kitchen are slightly hard, however it is a new accommodation and the sofas have not been worn in so is expected.
The library is a very beautiful looking building, however slightly more table space (without computers there) is required. It contains high-quality computers and contains all the books needed for my degree. The lecture rooms are very large and contain large screens so it is easy to see what's going on wherever you are in the hall. The university gym is small however contains all the basics needed to keep healthy and active. The Swan student bar serves lovely food and is very cosy, and holds a quiz every Sunday which is great fun. The Towerbar is larger and great for watching the football. The engine shed, which holds student nights, is very large and has drinks at great prices.
The lecturers are great at explaining module content and make the content very interesting. We go on lots of trips, from zoos to ecology centres, which are great fun but also very enriching. Modules I study in the first year include genetics, animal behaviour and vertebrate physiology which are all very interesting. The balance of coursework and exams is also very good.
For a small city, there is a fair amount to do. You can visit the cathedral, go shopping and have fun in escape rooms during the day and then have a great choice of clubs to go to in the evening. There is often live music on at the engine shed which is also good. There are many great restaurants around the city as well.
The lecturers are always quick to respond if you ever have any questions and the lecture materials are always easy to follow. Most lecturers also record their lectures so you can access them whenever you want online. In the first year modules most modules grades are from 50% of coursework and 50% from exams, so no matter how you learn best you have a fair chance of getting the best grades possible. We do lots of interesting labs which help us get hands on experience in different module areas and the trips we go on are also great fun.