June 2013 - Oshwal Centre

Life at City
University
Article by Aarti Rumeet Shah
U
niversity life has proven to be one of the most
enjoyable times of my life. I’m a firm believer of
pursuing things in life which you enjoy and help
you grow as a person - this was one of the key reasons
why I chose to study Mathematics.
Why did I choose City?
I knew that whatever I decided to do, that my parents and family
would always be there to guide and support me. I was
recommended City by both family and friends who had studied
there. I also attended a few Open Days, both general and
mathematical ones, to gain a better insight of the university.
Aside from my choice of degree, one of the other aspects of City
I had researched was what different activities the university had
to offer. After speaking to a few current students at the Open
Days, I decided that this was one university I definitely wanted
to apply to.
Student life at City
City University offers a range of courses, from Business,
Engineering, Law, Management and Mathematics through to the
medical related degrees such as Midwifery and Optometry.
Each course varies from the next, so it is goes without saying
that you should to do a bit of research before you apply for your
chosen course. Speaking to current students during the
University’s Open Days is useful. This will give you an insight
into what it would be like to study your course at City.
Being in the heart of London, means that students are close to
the capital’s leading financial, legal, media and medical
institutions. Both professionally and personally, you will have the
opportunity to benefit from all that London has to offer.
There are numerous opportunities for volunteering at City, a
great way to help others, while developing your skills for your
future career. In my second year, I became a student
ambassador for the University. This involved engaging with
young people and employers in the local community – this is
great for personal development and a bonus for your CV!
Unlike many other universities, for many of its’ degree courses,
City University offers its’ students Sandwich courses, where
students get the opportunity after their second year, to work for
a year in an industry relating to their degree. I saw this as a
great opportunity to use everything I had learnt from my degree
and apply it to the real world. My year in industry was fantastic.
Aside from the gruelling hours and the immense workload, I
found I was able to incorporate my degree into my daily life. The
experience was invaluable, and I am glad that I did not let this
opportunity pass me by. Work experience is key, for whatever
your chosen field - it puts you one step ahead of many other
applicants who may not have the required experience, and may
even secure you the job!
Sport at City
If you enjoy a particular sport, you can join one of the many
sports teams at City. Many of the sports teams compete in the
British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) and London
University Sports League (LUSL), and they also compete
against teams from other universities on Wednesday
afternoons. As well as playing a sport you love, you also have
the opportunity to meet many different people!
Societies and Clubs at City
City University not only offers the academic side, but also offers
a diverse range of extracurricular clubs and societies you may
join in; covering a wide range of social, academic, political,
sporting and cultural interests. Attending Freshers’ events in the
first two weeks of university is a definite must. This will give you
the chance to interact with other students and is an opportunity
to make new friends, as well as joining different societies.
City’s Careers and Skills Development Service
The Career and Skills Development Service is great at City. It
regularly hosts panel events, giving students the chance to
investigate the career options available to them. Each event
consists of a series of talks followed by a networking reception
with employers and recent graduates.
From going to school...to attending university
– what was it like?
The first few weeks can be daunting. I found that the hardest
thing to adjust to was the atmosphere of university life. The
working environment is totally different! There is plenty of
freedom, and it is your personal responsibility that your work is
completed and submitted on time. You may find the transition to
university life particularly difficult, but remember that you are not
alone - majority of the other students on your course will be in
the same boat! ...Before you know it, you’ll be asking yourself
what all the worrying was all about!
Key Point: Go to the open days. Speak to the
students. Who knows? City might just be the perfect
university for you!
Oshwal Youth Magazine of O.A.U.K. 7 June 2013 Edition