The Big Move
The thought of receiving an education from an international institution was never an issue but what to expect and the thought of coping with a whole new area was starting to give me sleepless nights. My name is Bright Light and I am an international student studying for a Master of Public Health degree here at the University of Chester. This is the story of my first year at University. I had a seamless process with the immigration officers at the airport due to the constant support from the staff assigned to assist me. And I successfully landed in Chester for the first time.
Settling In
I had previously arranged accommodation with the University Accommodation Team and it was easy to get settled in. Then, it was just about the first week which was Welcome Week. Due to the pandemic, the University had adopted a Chester blend system of tutoring and so we received our first sessions online on Microsoft Teams. During that time, I would walk to the library and use a dedicated computer to attend those online sessions as I wanted to experience studying on campus. The lecture sessions were very detailed and insightful as all the module leaders were very elaborate in their explanations. It wasn't long before I had made a couple of friends who also loved coming to the library.
My Learning Experience
The first semester was quite different to what I expected which was due to the online delivery of lectures. I was eager to meet people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures - I'm a curious person, so I love learning in a classroom setting. During my second semester, it seemed my prayers were answered. We had classes, workshops, and seminars and the opportunity to meet new people face to face presented itself. It was the enjoyable experience I had anticipated. One of the things I enjoyed the most was the communication that existed between lecturers and students. This made my assignments easier for me because it meant I could easily ask questions for more clarification. I really enjoyed meeting new people and making friends and, for me, this was part of what I wanted to experience alongside my degree.
One good practice that was a great benefit to me was the habit of reading all my emails. This kept me updated with what's trending, updates in and around the University, and made me engage with the Students' Union, take part in local volunteering and sport activities, as well as participating in the Venture Programme. I won lots of prizes and it was fun for me to continue to network and meet people in this way. I will never forget the coaching sessions provided by experts as part of the Venture Programme.
Top Tips
So as you aspire for greatness here at the University of Chester, here are my top tips:
- Read all your emails - be sure you understand them and keep them because you may need them in the future.
- Engage with your coursework - do the reading and ask questions if you're unsure of anything.
- Communicate with your lecturers - remember they are there to help you, so make them your first point of contact regarding your coursework.
If you have any questions about starting university, you can chat to a student online today.
