What's the best thing about your uni?

Definitely the people and the area. It's a great atmosphere with an amazing nightlife. We also have a beach here too.

What's the worst?

The cost. I'm nearly always broke, so to cover the expenses is quite a difficult task.

Have you enjoyed your first year?

I've loved it!

What's your course like?

I've opted for mainly theoretical electives so the workload is quite heavy but I find the subject really interesting and quite good fun.

What's the best memory you've had of your first year?

Honestly, I can't remember my best memory - which is probably a good thing considering. However, to pin point a few things I'd say: freshers week and The Great Escape Festival.

How would you describe your freshers week?

Freshers was such good fun. There was hardly any work that had to be completed, I was constantly meeting new people, who I now consider to be some of my best friends.

What's the best thing about living off campus?

The independence.

Has university disappointed you or would you say it met/exceeded your expectations?

University has certainly exceeded my expectations. I was relatively nervous beforehand but looking back now, I've loved nearly every minute of it.

What's your best money saving tip?

I'm probably not the best person to ask...however, my plan for next year is to budget before the semester begins.

How do you de-stress?

Well, I live in an area where there is always something happening, so it's not hard to find something to do. Personally, I play my guitar. Living off campus gives you that sort of space.

What advice would you give to freshers next year?

Just have fun. Don't worry or stress over things. Think ahead when it comes down to it though.

Just for fun:

What drinking game would you recommend to the freshers next year?

The classics. Ring of fire, Roxanne etc...

Any embarrassing moments?

Too many.

What's your best hangover cure?

Coffee and spinach and ricotta tortellini.

If you'd like to know anything more about the University of Brighton or Dan's course, contact me - missisgoode@gmail.com - and I'll put you in contact with Dan.

MissIsGoode

What's the best thing about your uni?

The large and varied city of Manchester.

What's the worst?

Definitely the lack of contact time with lecturers.

Have you enjoyed your first year?

Yeah, it went better than I expected - nicer people and the like.

What's your course like?

The lectures are really interesting, as well as the modules, but the readings and the essay topics are fairly hard.

What's the best memory you've had of your first year?

Shared times with newly-made friends, and living with new people.

How would you describe your freshers week?

A whirlwind of activity - exhausting, exciting and extremely worth it.

What's the best and worst things about living on campus?

Well, Fallowfield is one of the best student villages in the UK and there's always lots going on night and day, with lots of places to go. However, the worst is the fact that some of the areas around it are a bit dodgy at night.

Has university disappointed you or would you say it met/exceeded your expectations?

It exceeded my expectations socially, but not academically.

What's your best money saving tip?

Buy in advance, take advantage of deals, avoid eating out and pre-drink!

What's your best way to de-stress?

Listen to some good music (spotify free is your friend), and talk to your friends - they're probably stressed as well!

What advice would you give to freshers next year?

Stock up on Berocca and money for freshers - it'll be worth it.

Just for fun:

What drinking game would you pass onto the freshers of 2013/14?

Drink on the bus - it's dangerous but fun!

Any embarrassing moments?

Too many drunken times to mention, we all have them.

What's your best hangover cure?

Berocca, fast food, and lots of water.

If you'd like to know anything more about the University of Manchester or Barney's course then email me - missisgoode@gmail.com - and I'll put you in contact with Barney.

MissIsGoode

During my first year of university I met a lovely man named Matt and for the time we dated his camera was never left behind. I've had people ponder why this post is still on the blog despite the fact we're no longer together, but I don't believe in deleting every trace of my past and I have good memories with Matt. Both him and myself are now in different relationship and I love seeing all the new work he's doing with his current girlfriend, who actually is a model!

When we were together, he once sent me this comical article called '41 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Date a Photographer' and here was my spin on it written at the time we were together...

It's a pretty good laugh, and both of us could point out all the dating a photographer crimes he so repetitively committed, and it made me think, what would I say to someone who asked me what it's like dating a photographer?

The Cons

1. Whilst he'll always tell you how beautiful you are, he'll be inclined to catch it

There's few romantic moments when dating a photographer, you can be looking affectionately into one and other's eyes, love filling the air, but then he'll grab his camera, and BOOM moment ruined. 

2. He'll catch your most hideous photos

Because he's never camera-less, he gets to catch those awful moments when you've finally crawled out of bed at 6 in the evening (leave it out, I'm a lazy student) and drags you for a walk to catch 'The Golden Hour' (a pee-your-pants time of the day for photographers). I've never seen such hideous (and, also, such stunning) photos of myself, but fortunately for me, as he's a good photographer, they go no further then his hard drive (because they don't make the cut - thank GOD).

3. You'll be second best

In the nicest way possible, it's true. I once asked my boyfriend what he'd do if I were in a burning building with his iPhone, camera and wallet. He said quite honestly that he'd try to save all four of his precious things, but I'd come last. In my head, this is all a hilarious joke...I like to think it is in his too!

4. He'll always be peering at your magazine's

I just want to read the gossip, but he'll sit beside me and talk about lighting and angles, what he'd do differently, what the photographer did wrong, what they did right...etc etc etc 

5. Don't doubt it for a moment, because girl, you've just become a model

This is perhaps many girls dreams, your own photographer following you around full time, but not mine. The first time I met him, he said he'd love to photograph me (I think this may have been a pick up line similar to Sebastian's from Cruel Intentions). And, on the first date, that's exactly what he did - we were walking back from the bar and he had me posing in the middle of the road. And from the moment go, I've become his subject. If I'm not having a photograph taken, I'm assisting him on one. 

6. Once he's on the computer editing, it's hard to pry him off

Unless dinner's ready, or Family Guy's on...or a good film, and perhaps something cheeky...but other than that, his iMac gets all the attention. 

The Pros

1. Because he always tells you how beautiful you are, he'll be inclined to catch it

That's the romantic part, he's a photographer, and catches beauty, and he wants me to be the fabulous face he photographs (among all the other beauties he also photographs, but that's not the point). When I once asked why he's always taking pictures of me, he replied 'Because you're beautiful, and I want to catch that in a photograph'. I can't argue with that can I?

2. He'll catch your most beautiful photos

3. He won't miss a moment

I always love having photographs from any event, and whilst my Nikon Coolpix does the job, he takes some amazing photos. Even walks with the dogs are captured so beautifully. 

4. He compliments your food in the best way

MissIsGoode

...I'd be pretty damn exhausted afterwards.

I've finally arrived home and am now settled in Cornwall and I'm not going anywhere for a few months now, to my dismay. I've left my boyfriend back in Keele to the hands of a 9-5 internship to complete his MA, and he's left me in the grips of a boiling hot bakery in Sainsbury's, to earn and save some pennies.

After officially moving out of my halls on the 8th of this month, my key (lacking a university key ring) was handed over a desk, and bam, my stint in Hawthorns was over. I re-visited my pretty little house once more before leaving and to my delight finally got to see my room - yep, I signed a tenancy agreement without even seeing my room, that's a dumb student for you - but boy, am I glad I was the one who took the risk on the locked door of room number 6! I've bagged myself an en-suite (which we already knew about), a lovely big double bed (the only one in the house!), two wardrobes and a nice big desk! 

But before the partially real world of bills and bickering begins in my 6 bedroom house, I've got the summer to survive. Which, no doubt, will be crap. 

If I could walk 307 miles, I'd be with my boyfriend back in Keele, back in his halls. Whilst it would be amazing to spend my summer with him, instead of decorating cupcakes and packaging rolls, I'd likely end up being a right little wifey. With his 9-5 internship, and if I were there, my joblessness, I'd likely be doing no more than playing The Sims and cooking dinner each night, all ready for when he came back from work. Whilst my food is fabulous - ahem - I'm not ready (I never will be) to be a stay-at-home girlfriend!

Though, in all honesty, I can't complain about the fact that I've got off easy not having to suffer the job hunt many students may be at this time, and complain as I might, it's money in the bank!

What's the best thing about your uni?

For me the best thing is the people that I have met. I think that wherever you are whatever you are doing it is up to you to make the most of the situation, and choosing your friends is part of that. I think I chose well.

What's the worst?

Whilst Winchester is a beautiful place, it's a small town, near the coast and I expected to feel very much at home; however it is, in my opinion, very middle class and very conservative. I felt for a long time like the only person who had ever stepped into a second hand store, or made their own bed without the help of a maid. My slightly eccentric appearance and personality caused people in their quilted Jack Wills jackets to look down their noses at me fairly regularly but it's not so bad now. It just makes me laugh.

Have you enjoyed your first year?

I've found it very difficult. Not just the work either, but getting to know a new town, new people. I had a lot of growing up to do too. I thought of dropping out a lot of times...basically every time anything went remotely wrong. I stuck it out though, and I'm going to continue doing so.

What's your course like?

I love creative writing! It's one of the best things I have ever done, and there are aspects of English Language that I love too but it's really really hard. I've had a couple of nasty fails, but I think that I'm starting to get a better grasp of how to write a degree level essay now and when I start to do the modules that I have chosen for second year, I should start enjoying it more.

What's the best memory you've had of your first year?

That's a tricky one, there are so many! I remember being really happy in the lead up to Christmas. My best friend at uni is called Bronte and we went to two Christmas light turn-ons in two nights, and then her Nan made us Christmas dinner. That was pretty special. Also, pretty much every moment I've spend with my boyfriend has been incredibly memorable. Wondering through Southampton at 6 in the morning, barefoot in the rain, with the worst hangovers in existence, then finding our hotel, crawling into the bath and falling asleep is a night I'm not going to forget any time soon.

How would you describe your freshers week?

It was nothing special to be honest. We didn't click instantly as a house and relationships are still a little rocky.

What's the best and worst things about living off-campus?

For me the best thing is that our house is in a really convenient place, closer to town and to uni than any of the halls are. Also, our rooms are just absurdly huge. The downsides are that I think you get caught in this little house-bubble where you don't really meet new people like you would in halls. Another downside is that with our neighbours being non-students, noise is a real issue, and the one house party we've ever thrown resulted in the police being called.

Has university disappointed you or would you say it met/exceeded your expectations?

I wouldn't say that is has disappointed me, but there have been ups and downs. The ups have been higher than I have ever experienced, and the lows have been lower that I have ever experienced. I guess it all evens out in the end.

What's your best money saving tip?

Buy a hip flask!

How do you de-stress?

Use the hip flask! (No but seriously, if you're stressed all the time, don't drink all the time too because it'll only make you more stressed.) I take a walk, do some writing, call my Mum.

What advice would you give to freshers next year?

Don't listen to anyone who tells you it's going to be easy. It's going to be hard, but don't let it get to you. Just have fun and get some work done.

Just for fun:

What drinking game would you recommend to the freshers of 2013/14?

Never Have I Ever is a no-brainer.

Any embarrassing moments?

In the first week, we went to a house party at Halls and all of the buildings have big flights of metal stairs outside and I got really drunk and fell from the top to the bottom and had to be carried home.

What's your best hangover cure?

Sleep it off. Don't bother trying to do anything. You know the days a write-off.

If you'd like to know anything more about Gracie's course or the University of Winchester then contact me - missisgoode@gmail.com - and I'll put you in contact with Gracie.

MissIsGoode

Don't worry yourself, I'm not homeless!

With my final semester now finished and only 2 more essays to receive feedback on, I've not got a whole lot to do. I don't start back at work for summer until around the 23rd of June and I see no reason why I can't spend these few weeks plodding up and down the country!

Last weekend, I moved an entire 9 months of my life out of Hawthorns M block, room 26. My mum travelled all the way up from Cornwall and with my boyfriend to give us a hand we stacked the car full and that was it, my first year was pretty much over.

But I'm back! I went home this weekend for my Grandma's 80th birthday, and on Sunday I was on the move again. I arrived in Plymouth to stay in the Elfordleigh Hotel for a night with my boyfriend and his family - which was rather fabulous. We then made our way from Plymouth to Milton Keynes for the night on Monday, and Tuesday afternoon saw me on the move again, finally resting in Keele...for two weeks that is.

For the time being, I'm living out of a large backpack stuffed with clothes and shoes, I've invaded my boyfriend's room for the time being also, with him living on campus until September.

On Wednesday we all attended the End of Year ball, I didn't get in the spirit of things...well due to the fact I didn't fancy any spirits for once! I'm going pretty alcohol free over summer to get back to my healthy self. With work to keep me busy and visiting friends over the summer, it should be a good one before the six of us move into our lovely house for our second year...let the hard work commence! 

MissIsGoode

What's the best thing about uni?

It's in the countryside so it's pretty much just like what I'm used to back in Cornwall; lots of chances to explain to people not to touch stinging nettles and the like, I seem like a wilderness expert.

What's the worst?

Along the same vein, it's pretty isolated so it's a hassle leaving campus for a night out. Also, Tesco is a 20 minutes slog each way.

Have you enjoyed your first year?

Very much, I thought I would miss home a lot more than I did, I really only feel like I've been away for a few weeks. The truth is, when I'm living here in halls I'm never bored for a second, if I am I just go and bother one of my neighbours to entertain me.

What's your course like?

As you might expect, Maths is pretty damn hard, seriously, A2 Further Maths doesn't seem to have cropped up at all, I'm just relentlessly learning new stuff all the time. Fun is a strong word to use in conjunction with Maths, although it definitely is interesting.

What's the best memory you've had of your first year?

Apart from the bog standard drunken night escapades, I'd have to say fashioning an economically viable volleyball net out of string and twigs to make the most of the limited sunshine; including dangerously misusing the university football fields and running away from the slightest confrontation. Generally, acting like 5 year old's most of the time has produced some of my most memorable moments.

How would you describe your freshers week?

Fantastic, one of the best fortnights of my life (yeah that's right, come to Warwick we get a whole fortnight). It's a bit of a shock to go on a bender that long, but everyone adjusts and I just about recovered enough by the evenings to start over again.

What's the best and worst things about living on campus?

Honestly, I cant think of a good enough reason for anyone not to, it's a literal 1 minute walk to the Student's Union, which is fairly good for nights out, especially at the start of the year when everyone's yet to get bored of it. There's so many people to interact with, and most probably a lot smarter than you'll be used to. On the worse side, there's things you expect as a student, like limited fridge/freezer space, overcrowded kitchens, messy people "borrowing" your belongings, and drunkards wrecking things.

Has university disappointed you or would you say it met/exceeded your expectations?

Massively exceeded on the social side, however in academia, Maths has been a constant drag on my fun levels. I guess I should have been prepared to work a lot more than I did straight away, it would have prevented being left behind.

What's your best money saving tip?

Tesco Everyday Value. Grow to like the tap water, if you don't immediately (squash can really cost a small fortune). Get cooking in a team (we've made it work in a group of 6), you can get grocery costs down to about £15 each a week. 

What's your best way to de-stress?

Watch a TV episode on your laptop, go annoy a neighbour, make some food, listen to some music and if you're desperate, read a book (unless you actually enjoy that).

What advice would you give to freshers next year?

Get drinking in the summer in preparation for the escapades of university life, it's the perfect excuse!

Just for fun:

What drinking game would you pass onto the freshers of 2013/14?

I'm not sure what it's called, but gargling spirits to a song that others have to guess. Just recently we partook in the Eurovision drinking game. Then any David Attenborough documentary drinking game, Never Have I Ever, Ring of fire and twenty plus one.

Any embarrassing moments?

Too many I'm sure. A few partially, mostly naked, escapades. Then there's accidentally sprinting into a wall and waking the whole floor up screaming I was okay. Far too many slip ups in Never Have I Ever.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Be sure to attempt an impression of every funny accent you come across, everyone will love it.

If you'd like to know anything more about Warwick University of Jamie's course contact me - missisgoode@gmail.com - and I'll put you in contact with Jamie.

MissIsGoode