Picture this, it’s 6pm on a Thursday, you’re just back from a long day of lectures, you’re hangry as hell and those birds-eye potato waffles are calling your name…but trust me, there is a whole world of foods and flavours at your disposal if you just meal plan! As Iona Gannon, 2nd year nutrition student swears by, “an extra 30 minutes spent planning at the weekend will save you so much time and money, even just three speedy meals a week and you will thank yourself”. You never know, you might even be the next Gordan Ramsey, minus the raging temper hopefully!
That’s how I would describe my experience transitioning to Newcastle University from NUMed. Life is pretty similar; people are friendly, the teaching is amazing, the city is as beautiful as home. The only difference is that these things are all bigger, bolder, and brighter here in the U.K. And I’m definitely not complaining!
The red bricks of Newcastle University’s Armstrong building looking glorious in the sun
The move from Malaysia was definitely a tough one. I grew up in Penang, an island just northwest off mainland Malaysia, and this was the only home I’d known. Moving 10-hours away to Johor to start my degree in Biomedical Sciences was scary enough, but NUMed turned to be a home away from home. We’re such a small, tight-knitted community, and on campus we could bond in ways students in a larger university wouldn’t be able to.
“Choosing to begin my studies at NUMed has been the best decision I’ve ever made!”
By Sabrina Amran, Third Year Biomedical Sciences student
Flatmates and I (in middle) visiting (and posing!) the med school for the first time!
The UK was a lot different in my childhood memories compared to how I see it as of now.
Sure, ‘Wilkinsons’ became ‘Wilko’, and everything was a couple pounds cheaper 7 years ago. The weather now seemed sunnier and hotter as well…but I’m not sure how long this will last.
By Ruth Harding, second year Biomedical Science student
I had a difficult time at home before I started at Newcastle university and I found that I was struggling to cope at points during my first year.
These are my top 5 tips to help improve your mental health while at university based on my personal experiences:
1. Access support
There is plenty of support available at uni, the first thing to do when you feel you are experiencing difficulties is to access the support that is available to you as soon as you possibly can.
I found the transition from sixth form to university to be a challenge especially when I was battling poor mental health at the same time. The university support I found to be the most helpful was my personal tutor and the student services team (student wellbeing). There is also an online CBT programme available to all Newcastle students here. There are also useful links and tips on the Ncl wellbeing app.
Family and friends form an important support network while at uni – me, Hannah and Cornelius.
As well as university support I encourage you to build a wider network, I do not think I would have got through the year without the support of my friends, and family.
Moving to uni can be lots of change for anybody. When you’re also living with a disability or a medical condition, getting through each day, let alone being able to study can be a challenge.
I’ve just finished my first year studying biochemistry and living and learning with physical disability has often been hard! I thought I’d share a few things that have helped, and so here are my practical top tips for starting university for those living with disability/long term medical condition.
Me on my scooter outside the med school
Get a Support Plan
A Student Support Plan (SSP) looks at all aspects of learning and possible adaptations that you may need, you get these from Student Wellbeing. Meet up with your disability advisor as soon as possible, the sooner you get this in place the sooner adaptions can be made. They will be aware of things you can utilise that perhaps you didn’t realise- for me that included creating a Personal Evacuation Plan (PEP) for when there were fire alarms! Continue reading “My top tips for starting university when living with disability or long-term medical condition”
With a flight ticket in my hand, I can still remember being so nervous and so excited at the same time before starting a new chapter of my life – university.
My big flight to the UK from Lithuania
“How did you handle that?” you may ask. Here’re my answers and top tips you.
It’s a BMS3016 Science Communication Takeover! This time, Stage 3 Biomedical Sciences student and BMS3016 Science Communication module alumnus Willow Hight-Warburton is investigating the truth behind old wives’ tales!
It’s that time of year again – fresher’s flu has descended and we’re all feeling a little under the weather. As a result, I’ve decided to investigate the science behind some of our favourite home remedies.
