Making friends at university

I was worried about getting back into studying

"I was slightly nervous about coming to university. I had been out of education for five years so I was worried about getting back into studying. Being older, I was also worried about making friends and getting on with my classmates, but it was actually really easy and most of them didn’t even realise I was older than them.

"I was worried that I would have forgotten how to write essays, but it wasn’t difficult, and all the tutors were there to support me."

I didn't know anyone studying law

"When I started at Leeds Beckett, I knew a few people who were already studying at the university and one friend who was starting at the same time as me but was doing a different course. I didn’t know anyone studying law."

I joined a Facebook group

"Before I started at Leeds Law School, I joined a Facebook group where I was able to meet other people on my course so going in on the first day, I had already got to know a few people. In the first year, we had all our seminars in the same group and so it was really easy to make friends with people in this group since you were together in all your classes. Also joining societies and clubs are a really great way to get to know people.

"My friends are mainly on my course but I have friends in different years on different courses who I have met through church."

Everyone's in the same situation

"Make sure you go to classes and just talk to everyone because you will all be in the same situation and feeling nervous. Also join societies, especially in the first year, and get to know people with similar interests."

I’ve made friends for life at university

"It’s true when they say you make friends for life at university. We go into town, either have a meal or drinks. Sometimes we go to the theatre or cinema. Between classes we grab a coffee or drink from the Student Union."

The law clinic module was a highlight

"My highlight at university was the law clinic and being able to experience real life situations and get to build really good relationships with the other students on the module."

A degree is not about right or wrong answers

"The main differences between school and university is that you choose how much effort you put in. There is also a lot more independent learning, which is something I’ve really enjoyed because you can go away and do as much reading as you like on the topics you are learning about. I feel that discussion with tutors is encouraged a lot more at university than school, and tutors enjoy you asking questions and discussing points of law since a degree is not about right or wrong answers."