The sustainable drive of the University - Reading Uni is well known for being drivers for environmental change whether that be the stunning green campus, running on renewable energy, leaders in environmental research, and opportunities for the new Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship. Given my course, the fact the Uni aligns the same principles of positive environmental change was important to me. Often overlooked, but the connectivity of Reading by bus is incredible. It makes shopping, evenings out, and just generally getting out and about really easy as a university student who can't keep a car on campus. The Library is large and really well equipped for study, group projects, and a social café downstairs (although the PCs need drastic improvements to run our GIS software in the Library). The social life on campus - whether you drink or not (like me) there is something for everyone, there are so many wonderful societies to choose from to join (or even run). I have met so many wonderful people through societies - in fact the general vibe of Reading students and staff is so positive and welcoming. In terms of improvements - more student events other that just societies and clubbing would be nice (eg. open mic nights). Some buildings on campus do look a little run down, and other universities do have more advanced facilities than in Reading, but none as green :)

Course related opportunities - this past summer I completed a paid research internship working with my professor, working on his research in Wales and conducting our own mini research project within. It was such an incredible opportunity to develop professional lab and fieldwork skills on niche areas outside of the taught course - I believe that this opportunity was really unique compared to what is offered at other universities. The wide range of technical skills taught - there are many technical skills taught to us during the course to enhance our employability - including fundamentals in software such as R for coding, GIS, Minitab, and Excel; practical lab skills and analysis equipment proficiency; and development of confident and professional written and oral presentation. The Staff are very approachable and knowledgeable, and good at breaking down complex processes and outlining what is required of us. In terms of aspects where improvements would be helpful - one thing I would mention is making the course more specialised to your degree in the first year. We were bundled together with Geography students and doing tasks and modules which were completely irrelevant to each other (mainly for Human Geography). This led to me and many of my colleagues feeling a little lost feeling we have chosen the wrong course for what we actually wanted to be doing. It didn't help that a lot of the introductory sessions in Year 1 were very basic - too basic for many students. It is much better now in second year and I feel I am learning new and useful skill rather than regurgitating those I already understand for others to catch up. Though in general I would enjoy the course more if the difficulty of taught content was levelled up and more challenging (eg. more maths, stats and coding). More contact hours were required in first year, especially in the first semester. I felt a little bored and didn't have enough study to get on with to feel productive. I know many of my peers felt similarly.

I require a studio due to my food allergies, the high risk of cross contamination is too much for living with others to be feasible at this moment in time. The DAS (Disability Advisory Service) have been AMAZING in providing suitable accommodation for my needs - I get a reimbursement so that the cost is lowered to that of an ensuite bathroom since it isn't my fault that I can't share. My studio is brand new, newly renovated, and insanely well equipped with a whole massive kitchen to myself which is just as large as my bedroom. My bathroom is a wet room, pretty poor space wide and floods a lot but does what you need it to do (would be nice if they were upgraded too). Laundry facilities are right next door, but that app does sometimes go down and normally half of the machines are out of order / not working. St Georges is located just off campus, a 15 / 10 min walk from central campus. It is close enough to be convenient while being far enough away from campus to be away from all the noise of Wednesday union and is also a quiet halls.

The best is the support from teachers and other students. The worst is that the library doesn’t have access to enough of some important books.

The best is when the lecturers are great, but there are a couple that don’t provide enough clarity on assignments.

No