Top 5 Universities

Spending my first day of half term break resting because there are just too many things to do in the next few days. Recharging.

My last academic year which is when I was in lower six was pretty challenging. I was new to United Kingdom and for the first time, being away from family and home country, Brunei. Now I feel much more relax and confident to be in UK especially in London, Harrogate and some other places.

This year I came into the process of applying to my right 5 universities in the UK. Being in UK 2 years before going to university gives me a great opportunity to choose wisely places that I will be comfortable to study and live in the next 3 years. I traveled to so many places in UK just find the right universities and now I am able to choose my best 5 and my choices are pretty interesting.

Universities in UK

So I went to so many different universities and cities even those that I am not applying to because I was just so curious.

Warwick University

The first university that I went to was Warwick. I went with a friend of mine last academic year ( but still 2013 ) for an open day. It was incredible. The university's facilities are amazing I immediately fell in love with it. However, they do not offer my course. Too bad. I described it as a university village with it's own supermarket, different cafeteria and even movie theaters all in one place. We went on tour to the different choices of university accommodation. It is really interesting that you can choose from a variety of unique accommodation from normal flats to a small house for a group of students although you need to be the sort of person who don't mind sharing with other people. The university is quite far from the town, it takes about 30 minutes by bus. We were not really sure that we went to the correct center of Coventry but it is a really good town. There are a lot of shops and restaurants although we couldn't find any halal shop but maybe because we were in a rush.

King's College London

So our plan was going to Warwick University then King's College then Manchester University then back to Harrogate in 3 consecutive days because of it's open days date. King's College is in center on London. There are many different campuses but are divided by River Thames. Some may love this university because of it's place " Come on, it is LONDON".  Yes it is in London and you will get great views of the famous river Thames while you study or get a cup of coffee (why does it have to be coffee?)from one of the buildings. I just went to the strand campus and the nearby campuses but did not go the the Waterloo campuses which is on the other side of river Thames. The university does not offer my course so why I am even visiting this university? 

University of Manchester

After visiting these two universities in London and a day out in Piccadilly Circus my friend head back to Harrogate while I went to University of Manchester the next day to meet up with another friend for the university open day. At first look, I really love the buildings ( I really love observing buildings ). The university is also in the center of a city. We walked from the station to this university because there were a lot of student ambassadors around the corner to help us. We went for our course talks and were amazed that they even have a museum of their own which is beneficial for students studying archaeology or even zoology. Apparently we were just too excited about the museum's stuffed animal section. It was just too realistic.

University of Leicester

Hahh~ It was a good day. I've been to Leicester with my family but it was my friend's first time. You can find Halal restaurants everywhere in Leicester. I was very happy. I really like the university because it is just warm and friendly. I love the buildings (not again, Husna) especially the library. The student union building is very modern and colorful where they have their own grocery store and even Starbucks. While we were in the town we met Bruneian students that are currently studying in the university. Since we met while crossing a road, we managed to ask their phone number but forgot to ask their names. 

University of Newcastle

We've been in Newcastle once. We even stayed there for a half term break. This time we went with our school to Newcastle university. It was not like an open day but there were some basic talks and a tour around campus. We didn't get the chance to visit the town but since we've been there before we know the city is fantastic! The river and the bridges reminds me of London and of course I love this one big area in the city center where the buildings are just..... magnificent!

University of Durham

It was the same school visit as the Newcastle university. It was on the same day. Some of the buildings are modern and some are a bit historical which I really really love. I was getting excited with the fact that some of Harry Potter scenes were filmed in their church. Unfortunately we can't go inside it that day because of some event going on inside it. I just wanted a little peak inside. We went walking around the town and bought a sandwich for lunch. Luckily Subway is everywhere in UK serving tuna sandwiches ( no halal restaurants in Durham ). 

University of Sheffield

I seriously love Sheffield university and the city center. I know that renting apartment or houses in Sheffield is easy and cheap. The city is fantastic. The university is awesome. It must be really nice to live here. I went to the art tower and played on the paternoster.It is like multiple smaller open elevator where we can jump in everytime one reaches your floor. It was a 17 floor building so we went up to the highest floor and then back down. It was so interesting. I managed to get into the 17th floor with that and look at the beautiful view of Sheffield.

Lancaster University

This is our first time visiting a university, not on their open day. We managed to look around and find the university amazing. I love how the campuses are close together in one area. The facilities are growing and they are investing millions to improve this great university into a spectacular one. The accommodation is simply modern, for the first time I feel like I can live in a university accommodation and doesn't have to find a house. I'll think about that later on but to end this whole open days and visiting university thing ( This is the last university visit for now, fuhh ). The visit to Lancaster university and it's town ended very well although it was the shortest visit as it was not an open day.

To conclude..Which 5 did I choose? Actually I have chosen only two of the above university. HAHA The three others is seriously not from the above. There were many reasons because choosing those universities were very hard. Some, I just visited to get the feel of university life or even because I was really curious to the different places in UK which develops different culture which reflects from their towns or cities, buildings, people and even transportation ( The tram in Manchester excites me ). I am looking forward to more visits in the future especially after I start to get offers. So I may tell my 5 university choices next time.

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