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General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: SorryDnoodle on 31/07/2015 22:08:15

Title: University Study
Post by: SorryDnoodle on 31/07/2015 22:08:15

So it is all official, I am moving 500 kilometers from family, friends and worst of all, my garage lab to start my chemistry studies - five to nine years -, while this makes me a bit sad I am incredibly excited to start my studies at a more advanced and serious, focused level. So I was just wondering if those of you that have done this before have any suggestions as I am completely ignorant of what awaits.

I do not know anyone that goes to a uni, I am kind of a lone wolf in my aspiration. all suggestions and tips are greatly appreciated, feel free to share your own experiences!

Thanks

-noodle

Title: Re: University Study
Post by: alancalverd on 01/08/2015 00:26:45

The very best of luck!

Leaving home is part of the adventure - a whole bunch of new experiences, new friends, and, in effect, a temporary family.

On the one hand you will find that it's a bit like starting primary school all over again. At home with parents you were the center of everything and suddenly you were just another fish in the shoal. Then during your schooldays you obviously became the clever one, the aspiring chemist, whatever, and gradually became unique among your peers. Now you are going to be "just another student" for a while, and everyone around you will be just as clever, ambitious, etcetera. But that's part of the excitement - everyone you meet will be motivated and focussed in pretty much the same way, and instead of a lone wolf, you will be part of a pack.

You will also have the opportunity to broaden your scope as well as specialising, because you will be shown aspects of your subject that you haven't considered previously. And don't be surprised if you change direction entirely: I started out as an aspiring pure chemist and ended up an an expiring applied physicist.

And then there's the beer, and the girls.....try to spend a little time studying, but make sure these are years to remember with pleasure - you will never be so young, fit, drunk, irresponsible, happy...again!   

Have a great time, and do stay in touch.

Title: Re: University Study
Post by: SorryDnoodle on 01/08/2015 13:28:37

Thanks for the reply! I am quite looking forward to being ' one in the pack ' as I have yet to meet anyone with a similar interest as of yet!

I have been incredibly lucky to even get this far, I kind of messed up 3 years of gymnasium school, switching schools and dropping off because it didn't feel right.
Eventually I found my courage and started Natural Sciences which I had been afraid to do due to the level of studying needed, fearing I was to stupid to do it, but it all worked out really good with some decent grades, confidence in my IQ has never been very high.

And to top it off I got an apartment about 15 minutes from the university in one of our biggest cities - Gothenburg -, and the chem course only had 17 spots, so I have had some sick luck getting here!

Anyway thank you for the support, I am sure it is going to be hell of a ride'

Title: Re: University Study
Post by: alancalverd on 01/08/2015 14:05:39

Great news!

If it all turns out to be too exciting, there's now a regular flight from Gothenburg to Cambridge.

Title: Re: University Study
Post by: SorryDnoodle on 01/08/2015 14:24:35

Hehe, I was actually looking into applying to Nottingham, but studying abroad.. well, it is super expensive, but yeah, it would be awesome.

Title: Re: University Study
Post by: Colin2B on 03/08/2015 14:37:34

Quote from: SorryDnoodle on 01/08/2015 14:24:35

Hehe, I was actually looking into applying to Nottingham, but studying abroad.. well, it is super expensive, but yeah, it would be awesome.

I have worked with some really great people who studied at Cambridge, but if you want an opinion on Nottingham - totally unbiased of course - it's great. Just watch that you go for the campus outside the city.

Title: Re: University Study
Post by: SorryDnoodle on 03/08/2015 15:49:58

Quote from: Colin2B on 03/08/2015 14:37:34

I have worked with some really great people who studied at Cambridge, but if you want an opinion on Nottingham - totally unbiased of course - it's great. Just watch that you go for the campus outside the city.

Perhaps I will look more into it for my masters, but for now I'll have to stay in Sweden.