Hi all, since September I've been studying History at the University of York. Despite being a very high ranking and prestigious Russell Group, I've found that I just don't like it here at all. The Student's Union is awful and has little concern for what students actually want, instead it just tries its to create at best mediocre events while generating as much income as possible. We're regularly ripped off by on-campus services, taxi companies and night clubs. The student's union is tied up in that much red tape that student freedom is crucially limited on campus, and there's very little to actually do in York itself. Societies are also generally quite drab and sports isn't as accessible as it should be, as well as ludicrously over priced. We also live in accommodation with a master's student who is a tutor, basically meaning he enforces the university's rules. This means no loud music past 11PM, and we have to be discrete about a lot of things such as smoking weed, and enforcing fines for things such as owning candles. Saying this, he is quite laid back and is rarely at home. The local council is also a pain in the arse as they majorly limit what activities students can organize such as music festivals, etc. Being on the committee for my college I've learned that it's a humongous (and admirable) effort for students to organize anything fun at all due to financial and legal restrictions placed by the union and the council.
The teaching standards are also quite poor overall. We were told at the start of the year that our lectures "aren't about a lecturer reciting notes and students copying them" and this is exactly what it's become to the point that none of the work is intellectually engaging. Some lecturers simply orate a script for an hour with little to no engagement and pause for notes whatsoever. Marking criteria for essays is vague.
I've came to York from Newcastle, which in terms of the cultural/social scene is a humongous step down. I find people at this uni to be quite stuck up and not that friendly despite my best efforts to be approachable. I don't have as many friends as I'd like to and regularly it seems as though people don't want anything to do with you unless you're kitted out in your finest Jack Wills Chinos and Loathers with accompanying tweed blazer. Saying all this, I've made some good friends in York and I've got a Girlfriend who's bloody brilliant. These are the two reasons why I haven't left yet.
Despite this, I really want to transfer uni to somewhere a bit more exciting, like Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Edinburgh or UCL. Somewhere where the cultural scene is broad and exciting and the university itself has some amenity to it and a social buzz. Since coming to York I literally feel as though I've retired at the age of 18.
Problem is, I've signed for a house next year with four others and I have exams in a month. I think my best option may be to finish my first year here then move elsewhere. The reason I haven't left yet is, as said, I have friends and a girlfriend here. I also spent a lot of time trying to convince myself that there's more to do here than i thought, but I recently discovered that there really isn't.
I'm averaging a 2:1 at the minute and my A Levels are A* in English lit, A in History and A in Biology. Hopefully, somewhere else would accept me if I was to continue getting 2:1's or pushing for a first.
Does anyone on FP have any advice or has been through this before? It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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