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Name: Emma Crow
University: Newcastle University
Program: History
Year of Study: Postgraduate
Contact details: emmavcrow@gmail.com
Institution: Program:
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Campus Facilities: Academic Environment:
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Social Life: Career Planning Opportunities:
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Overall Experience:
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Contrast Between Workload hours in University vs High School:
I did less work in university than in high school
Same number of hours
1-3 more hours of work in university
4-6 more hours of work in university
7-9 more hours of work in university
10+ more hours of work in university
What made you choose your institution over others?
The campus: it is mostly one area, yet right on the edge of the city. You feel like you're living in Newcastle rather than on a remote campus.
What did you wish you knew before choosing your specific program?
At open days, they give the impression of a vast choice of modules and a lot of freedom to pick whatever you like - the way that second and third year optional modules were actually allocated meant people often missed out on popular modules which were capped at a small number of students. Despite this, the course did still offer teaching on a wide range of historical topics.
What was your best experience at university?
Meeting amazing friends and moving in to a rented house with them for second and third years: this really helped university to feel like home. Completing my dissertation was the best academic experience as there was such a sense of achievement. I had the opportunity to carry out research in archives in Belfast for my dissertation, which was great.
What was your worst university experience?
The first couple of weeks of first year, trying to settle in, make friends and get used to being away from home. Freshers week felt like a lot of pressure to have the best time even though you're in a strange place with complete strangers! Most people I have met at university felt like this about freshers week but settled in after a few weeks.
What is the hardest part about your program and what were the steps that you took to overcome any difficulties?
The hardest part of the course was balancing deadlines and work for different modules at the same time, which definitely got worse for my course in second and third years. In first year, adjusting to doing the seminar reading and the university essay style and referencing was probably the biggest hurdle.
What was your favourite module/course and why?
I think the Newcastle History course has changed round a lot in the last couple of years but I really enjoyed my modules in second year on Irish History and the Soviet Union. In third year, I enjoyed the module Reading History which focused on one influential book as a way to look at the wider topic.
What tips and advice would you give to first year students?
Join societies and clubs that match your interests, and don't be scared to tag along with a friend on nights out as no one minds about extra people who they don't know joining! For help with modules, you can go to your lecturer's office during their office hours and ask any questions about the module and the essay/exam. They're usually happy to help.
