University years confirmed as the best time of our lives

The study found almost two thirds of adults (65 per cent) who left university at least 10 years ago still rate it as the best time of their lives so far.

Learning about their chosen subject (58 per cent), meeting new friends (54 per cent) and enjoying new-found independence (54 per cent) were the top reasons given.

It also seems university is the place to find true love:

Around half of those surveyed also said they had met their best friend for life while studying together. Lecture theatres are the key ground for forming new friendships (39 per cent), and you’re most likely to meet your best friend at university in the first few months of starting – in fact, 16 per cent meet their best friend on the first day, and nearly a quarter during Freshers’ Week.

A nationally representative sample of over 1,000 graduates took part in the survey.

Other survey findings revealed:

• Over 65s are the most nostalgic about their time at university (with 72 per cent reporting it as the best time of their lives)
• Males are most eager to relive their university days (7 per cent more than females)
• 61 per cent enjoyed university more than secondary school or college
• 38 per cent of past students said they formed stronger friendship bonds at university than other key periods in their life, such as primary or secondary school or work
• A quarter of people reported falling in love twice during their university years
• 65 per cent of graduates felt that working independently was the main skill learnt during their time at university, followed by working effectively under pressure and problem solving. General DIY, cleaning and washing ranked the lowest in terms of new skills learnt at university
• 76 per cent of graduates say that managing your money effectively is the best advice they would give to first year students, followed closely by ‘go to lectures’ (75 per cent).

To find out more about courses offered by Leeds Beckett University in Clearing visit www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/clearing