Starting university at a later age was daunting - to say I was nervous would be an understatement. But knowing what I know now, I had no reason to be. I had been working at Alton Towers Resort and wanted to take the next step in my career, so enrolling in the Interior Architecture and Venue Design course felt like the right move. Being a local from Derby made the transition a little easier, but it was still a leap into the unknown.
To help you understand what could be ahead, I’m going to explain my top five standout moments from starting university:
- Winning the bridge building competition
- The Freshers Fair
- My first assignment
- Meeting new friends from all over the world
- Studying and socialising with classmates
Day one and building bridges
On my first day as a student, I attended my induction at the Markeaton Street site, joining a fellow student I had recently met at the Welcome@Derby new starter event. The second we walked through the door, we were greeted by a student volunteer who asked us if we knew where we were going. Neither of us did, but the pressure of finding the room in the maze of the campus was instantly relieved as she told us the way to go.
We headed off to the classroom and were then met by Joe, one of the technicians for Built Environment. He explained to us how the induction week would work and what we could expect. He had also organised for the teaching staff, lecturers and course leaders to talk to us about each module and a brief explanation of what to expect. Again, this eased the anxiety I was feeling even further.
One of the first things I did as part of our induction was to get to know the people on my course, where I was able to meet a variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures. We spent the morning learning about each other, focusing not the differences in our cultures, but on the similarities. I really enjoyed learning about the unique journeys we all had and how they led us all to the same destination. It expanded my knowledge of the world and furthered my appreciation for how we can be different but share similar experiences and ambitions.
Afterwards, we headed to our classrooms for a more tailored induction to our course. Here we were met by Timo and Boris, the course leaders within the Architecture department. They were friendly, chatty and happy to answer any of our questions. At this point I was no longer feeling nervous, just excited to start.
The rest of the week consisted of ensuring we had all the necessary online tools we needed for the year, such as blackboard, UDO and our timetables. This was an invaluable part of the week that made sure every student had what they needed before lectures would start the following week. We also took part in a bridge building competition with students from other disciplines within Built Environment, which was a great way to meet new people, and a have a bit of healthy competition. We were really ‘building bridges’ while building bridges. On the final day of the week, the competition came to an end, and our bridges were put to the test, and I’m very glad to say that my team's bridge came first place!
Freshers and the first assignment
The following weeks were when we began to learn and were further immersed into university life. We attended the Freshers Fair, where we were given the opportunity to learn more about the University, as well as learn about the societies and sports clubs on offer at Derby. There was so much to do, from Debate Society to Hockey to Board and Card Gaming, to Tennis, the list feels endless, there’s something for everyone, and of course the free Domino’s pizza in Kedleston Road’s Atrium only sweetened the deal.
I have fallen in love with my subject area, more than I thought I would. I was initially anxious about balancing studying and working, but the support at Derby has been great. From my first lecture, I knew I was in the right place. The teaching staff share the same passion for the subjects, and that shows in their dedication to ensuring that I’m set up to achieve.
When it came to submitting my first assignment, the teaching staff were there to help every step of the way, providing us with all the necessary resources we needed to understand the assignment, as well as how to submit it. Once it was submitted and I felt that mix of nerves and relief, it was only a few days before I received the results. The moment when I opened the results, I felt that I was on the first steps of accomplishing my ambitions. My hard work had paid off and the feedback I was provided only echoed the dedication and support from the teaching staff to push us to achieve. Since then, I’ve thrown myself into university life.
A new way to experience the city
Between studying and socialising, I feel as though the future is bright, all thanks to the University of Derby. I am being equipped with the skills to further my career, as well as meeting new friends and learning more about the city I’ve lived in my whole life.
One of my favourite things to do is meet up at The Friary in Derby with friends from my classes, have a bite to eat and socialise whilst we complete our homework. In doing this, we not only get to know each other better but we're able to collaborate on projects, share ideas and grow closer as a cohort. And as an added bonus, the food is good and there are plenty of bar games to play in between sessions.
I have learned more, done more and been more active than I thought I would. At university I feel at ease, I feel welcomed, and I feel like I can accomplish anything I put my mind to, and that’s thanks to the fantastic learning environment and teaching team I have around me here at Derby.
So, what’s next?
I can’t wait to continue my journey at Derby and I’m so glad I took those first steps into higher education. Next year, I want to take in even more of university life, join some societies, meet more people, and learn more about the industry I’ve come to love. I would encourage anyone thinking about coming to Derby to come to an Open Day, look around the city, and check out what we’ve got to offer - you will not regret it.
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