1. The staff seem so friendly. Honestly, the lecturers seem so welcoming and lovely, and like they are there to educate, not because they have to lecture so they can do their research. Yes, if you’re being cynical, they may have been putting it on to sell the place, but let's be positive here, ok! This is a positive, glass half full space haha! 
2. The course is ideal. I. Can. Do. The. Ancient. Egyptians. Do you know how hard it is to find a course with modules on Ancient Egypt, that isn Egyptology at UCL? Really hard. Other ancient history departments are mainly Greeks and Romans, so this is was such a fantastic discovery. Plus they have modules on the history of medicine (hehe) and this joint honours is about as much history I can do, ANYWHERE, in one degree!!!! Oh and it does help that quite a few modules are 100% coursework (exams and me don’t mix), as well as the fact that there are only 3 compulsory modules over the three years (two in year 1, and the third is your dissertation!). Hurrah for shaping you degree to the max 😄
3. They have so many societies that I am interested in. There is advanced Ballet, Latin and Ballroom (to get my strictly on!!), Costume Making, Harry Potter & Dr Who (and possibly Sherlock- basically I’m giving in to my inner geek) AND a non-drinking society (I have found my people!!). As you guys know, I have been freaking out about being a non-drinker at university, and the discovery of Are You Not Drinking Much (which fyi has a sister society at Reading) basically sold Kent to me, if nothing else. Hurrah!!
4. The city is fabulous. I would describe it as the York of the South. It is the right size for someone transferring from a small town, who's not used to massive cities; close to London; has good shops etc; and obviously Canterbury Cathedral (free entrance to students, hurrah!), who's library you can visit as part of some medieval modules, to look at their old books ☺️
5. The library is fab. Yes, I judge Universities on their libraries, but it is important that, as I’m doing history, it has sufficient books and study space. They’ve recently done it up, and I can’t wait to study there. I mean, TBH, I preferred York’s library, but no Ancient History there so what am I supposed to do?!

In the next part of my series looking back at my university application diary, I visit Royal Holloway for their applicant day, and get all confused about whether I should put it as my firm or insurance choice, as well as whether I should audition for their choir or not!

(As always, X refers to the university I actually attend.)


13/02/16 

If you had told me a few days ago that I would consider taking my unconditional from Royal Holloway then I would have thought you were nuts 😂

This is the second instalment in my University Application Diaries, where I share the thoughts and experiences I had in the run up to starting University in September 2016. In this 'episode', I went to York University's Applicant Day, and learnt that non-stereotypical student types like me are more common than you'd think!

[Note: Extra comments I've made since writing are like this. 'X' refers to the University I actually attend, which I keep private]

17/01/2016

• I still love it there
• The library’s fab
• Shy, non partying types of people like myself do exist and are easily found (what were the chances of finding people like myself so easily - I only spoke to Laura !?!?!! As my Dad said, 100% success rate haha) 
• Witchcraft is a fascinating topic, put me down to take it as a module [I've since written an essay on Witchcraft - it is a FASCINATING topic, would recommend!]
• Still want to do ‘Languages For All’! Cause I apparently want to learn German despite being terrible at trying to learn French haha
• Bit annoyed they don’t do much to help find housing in second and third year. Ah well they seem to have lots of housing fairs etc so should be ok (touch wood)
• I need to find out where they bought the cake for us from! The lemon cake was sooooooooo good mmmmmmm.