School vs Uni: How different are they?

Whatever you’re currently studying at school or college, you might already be thinking about what to expect from university. From the way you study to the way you live and spend your free time; it's going to be different. This blog is a quick heads up of what’s to come if you decide university is the place where you belong. 

Where will I live? 

Right now, you’re probably used to your regular home route, maybe you’ve got a set schedule of chores or occasionally cook the dinner. Well, one of the biggest differences between school and university is that you have the option to live away from home. At Winchester, there’s a choice of catered or self-catered accommodation on campus and various choices off campus. 

If you do live away from home, you’ll be responsible for cleaning your own room and working with your flatmates to keep the communal spaces tidy and pleasant. And if you choose self-catered accommodation, the most useful piece of knowledge you can have before you move in is how to cook – at least some pasta and rice! 

And you if you’re commuting to Winchester, you can still have access to your own private space by joining the Commuting Students Network. There's a tour of the Commuters Lounge here.

 

 

What's on campus and how do I get around it?

Your school or college is probably quite small compared to university. Some universities have multiple campuses where you need to take public transport to travel between sites. Whereas at Winchester, students love that there’s just a 10-minute walk between the King Alfred Quarter and the West Downs Quarter, and it’s just a short walk into the city centre too. Universities ordinarily have fantastic specialist facilities like gyms, fitness suites, libraries and IT and multimedia suites, as well as dedicated subject-related facilities. 

What's uni life like? Should I get a job?

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you can only get involved in university life through sports clubs. In addition to various sports clubs, there are a range of societies and networks for you to take part in. The Student Union will also host an array of events and activities throughout the year for everyone to participate in, whether you drink alcohol or not. Further opportunities include studying abroad or getting a work placement as part of your course, both of which are brilliant for your CV. 

Another big difference is having to manage your finances. This can be a daunting  aspect of going to university but there is lots of support available through loans, bursaries and scholarships to help you cover your living expenses. You may also want to consider getting a part-time job for a little bit of extra money. For example, there are jobs available on campus, whether that’s in the Student Union, in the on-campus cafes or working as a Student Ambassador. Off campus, university cities will also have a variety of jobs available during semester time. To help you find a job, the careers team will have a dedicated jobs platform where you will be able to find suitable roles. 

How do I manage studying and making the most of my time?

Now you’re juggling work, a booming social life and your studies! Here’s a very important difference - the way you learn and the various teaching methods you’ll encounter will be different from school and college. At university, you could have a lecture in a theatre that may be filled with 100 students and one lecturer explaining an aspect of the module; a seminar with a smaller number of students where you can chat to your lecturer and course mates and ask any questions you might have; or a tutorial with a group even smaller than a seminar, often involving one-on-one discussions. You also get more choice – most courses let you choose optional modules that interest you from Year 2, and you will choose the title and content of your dissertation in your final year - allowing you to tailor your degree to your own interests. Don’t think your skills are suited to writing essays? Many courses offer alternatives such as coursework, exams, group projects and many more, so you can be graded on work that reflects all of your potential. 

Another big difference is time management. During your degree, you won’t have lessons Monday to Friday 9am-3pm. You may have one or two lectures one day, and the next day completely free! But is it really free, though? Depending on the course you take, you’ll most likely be expected to do lots of independent study, whether it’s completing assignments or reviewing lectures and seminars. If you have a day of lectures/seminars/society meetings etc, spend the next ‘free’ day catching up on your assignments, working an extra shift or meeting friends. Space it out, but use your time wisely. 

What other responsibilities will I have?

Once you’re at university, the possibilities are endless! But remember to keep on top of your schedule. Remember the discipline and perseverance you needed whilst revising for exams? You’ll be needing that for the duration of your degree. If you start the habit early, it will be no problem to continue throughout the rest of your course. It’s up to you to get to lectures on time, and to hand in your assignments when they’re due. But your course mates and lecturers will be able to help you along the way whether that’s a research session in the library or a quick pick me up during a busy period.   

These are some of the big differences between school and university. It’s a big change in life but your university will be there to support you. If you have any more questions about life at uni then feel free to contact us via Live Chat using the pop-up ‘ask’ button on our website. 

 

Blog written by Shaniya Gaglani, who joined the Content Team for work experience earlier this year.  

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