Music by Distance Learning PhD

University of Nottingham

I think there needs to be more activities during freshers week where students who are staying in off-campus accommodation are included, I found it hard to make friends at the beginning. Also more bonding events between students on your course and lecturers. The facilities of the Uni and the campus are amazing though. Especially David Ross, I am there every day. There is also a good quality of music facilities for my course.

The campus is excellent and very beautiful, and there's lots to get involved in. I love going for long walks around the lake. It is also in a good location with plenty of cheap transport connections, though if you want to take a trip to Ikea, either get an Uber or make friends with someone who has a car. The Student Union are really helpful, and the building has many good places to eat. I love the sales they have, like the Vintage Kilo clothing sale too. The local businesses that they have set up round the back of the Djanogly steps are also great, and I love getting food from there. The Monica Partridge building is a great place to study in, but I also like going to the Hallward Library and sitting in front of the windows in the comfy seats looking towards the SU. The David Ross Sports Village is excellent, and I like going to the free Just Play events and using the gym. The only thing is that sports society memberships are too expensive, and this is prohibitive for students from lower-income backgrounds. In terms of helping with the workload, there aren't many strategies other than asking for extensions, which means that everything keeps backing up, and you end up more stressed. It also sucks that extenuating circumstances don't cover technological failures, which doesn't seem fair when my course involves explicitly working with technology.

The campus is so pretty and in a great location with easy transport to get into the city! The students Union are always offering great deals and access to everything you need including: boots, a hairdressers, coffee shops, food court, photocopying, support etc. There are many libraries with plenty of space to study. Although if you are staying in catered halls on campus, be wary of the food as it isn't the best, or most friendly for vegans and vegetarians!!

The best time of my life - I'm not even half way through my first year and I've met some amazing people, done the most incredible things and experienced life changing events that I will not soon forget.