'Three things that every student needs to know before starting university?'
'Why did you end up choosing UCL?'
'What's your experience as an Asian student in London?'
This person said 'Is uni hard'? Girl you have no idea!
Hello everybody, welcome, I hope you are all well!
My name is Fatima, I am a second year Politics and International Relations
student here at UCL and today's video is going to be a Q&A on student life.
So a few days ago, I asked you guys over on Instagram what questions you have for
me in terms of what you wish you knew before you started university
or even topics that you wish fellow students would talk more about.
So I'm going to go through as many of those questions as I can and I'm going to
answer them as quickly as I can and as honestly as I can.
I really want this to be a realistic depiction of a UCL student's life
and to really demonstrate that we're going through a tough time and
not everything is going to be perfect all the time. So, let's get right into it!
Sajad says 'How has student life changed during Covid,
the pro's and con's and what could universities do better'?
So obviously student life has changed a lot since Covid.
All of the content that we study is now online. So lectures, seminars are all online.
Any live talks we're supposed to have, they're online too.
So I think that's the biggest change of course, for everybody,
kind of being at home, spending your days in your room, talking to people through.
a screen, and I think the lack of human contact can have a big effect on your
well-being because you don't really see your friends or your classmates
or your professors so it is really really weird.
As for what I think universities could do better, of course, I feel like, hint hint,
most students at all universities and I know at UCL are waiting to hear about
a no detriment policy. So I think that that would take a huge weight off
the shoulders of students and hopefully UCL will go ahead with that.
Okay so Arzoo says, 'Best study spots'?
My top three would be, the basement in the Student Centre, I think I spent a lot of
my time in the basement last year - that sounds weird.
I would say my number two would be the 10th floor of Torrington Place.
I really like that especially on days when it's really quiet and you get this scenic view of London.
And my third favourite study spot would probably be the Law Library
in UCL's Main Library, just because you get this feeling of being at UCL,
I know that sounds so weird. So I would say that the Law Library is
my third favourite study spot if you can find a space because that's really popular
and the law students don't really like to share.
So if you can get a space there, I would recommend you trying it out!
So somebody else said 'What things do I need to bring with me
when I move into my accommodation'? I have a video over on my channel that
basically covers everything you need and don't need
when you move into uni accommodation. There will be a link below in the
description box to my channel, check that video out.
So we have another question that says 'How do you maintain a healthy diet and
sleep pattern due to its effects on your mental health as well'?
I'm gonna be totally honest here, my sleeping pattern is horrendous.
It is horrendous, I'm not one of these people that can say, unfortunately, that
I wake up at 7/8am, go on a walk, have a little workout and I have a healthy
breakfast, that's just not me. I really struggle with sleep and it's something
that I feel like since the start of the new year, I've really been trying to get together
but it's been a huge challenge for me. In terms of a healthy diet, I'm generally
a healthy eater, I always have been. I just don't crave junk food if that makes
sense so it's not a conscious decision to be healthy. And actually one of the
tips I would give for healthy eating would be to cook your own food.
So if you're somebody that usually gets takeout and usually takeout is
unhealthy food, you should try cooking for yourself. If you're someone like me
that hates cooking, I promise it gets easier over time and over time,
you actually start to enjoy it.
'Is it better to move out for uni or stay at home'? So I moved out for uni.
In first year, I lived in UCL accommodation.
This year I live in a flat in Central London with a friend of mine.
I would say that it's always better to move out for university, that's just my opinion.
I just wanted to move out, be in close proximity to campus, be able to walk
home in 5/10 minutes to a safe environment, with my friends
and just kind of lead my own life.
Okay the next question is 'Personal statement tips, interview tips and
best way to get internships. By the way you are really inspiring'. Oh thank you!
So in terms of personal statement tips, again, if you go to the link in the
description box to my channel, I do have an entire video on how to write a
personal statement and I've also included a structure that you guys can
follow if you're struggling. In terms of the best way to get internships,
I mean I'm currently in the process of applying to internships and grad jobs.
All I would say is try, keep trying and don't be selective.
So if you know what kind of sector or industry you want to be working in,
apply for everything and anything. Every single opportunity you see, apply for it.
And actually if you don't have much experience I would say apply to open days,
insight days, things like that before applying for the big internships because
doing the former will give you content to put in your cover letters, applications etc.
'Is there sufficient help available for students who are unsure
about life post graduation'? So at UCL, I would say there is a lot of support,
both within my department, the Department of Political Science
and also from our Careers Team. A lot of people don't seem to make enough
use of the careers department which is mind blowing to me. I was paired with
a mentor through a UCL Careers Extra scheme so that's been a huge help for me.
So I would say there are ways that UCL can help you but you actually need to
find out what those resources are and make use of them.
Okay, so a question from Isaac, 'Did you consider other unis and
why did you end up choosing UCL'? What helped me choose UCL was, and I know
this is gonna sound really wishy washy, but I actually came to visit UCL.
It was literally the first London university I had visited and I walked
onto campus, this was three years ago, and I just had a gut feeling and I know
that sounds super wishy washy but it's the truth. I just had this gut feeling and
I thought I think I'll be happy here. And I then did research into UCL and, of course,
it's one of the highest ranking universities in the world, in the country, it's number one
in London. Rankings aren't everything but they can inform your opinion.
I knew that UCL offered the course I was passionate about, that was politics,
and I also loved London so I think it was an amalgamation of all those reasons.
There are a few questions about joining societies, this one says
'Are joining societies worth my time'? Yes, absolutely, I would say joining
societies are absolutely worth your time. Societies are a great way of making
friends and acquaintances outside of your course and of course, doing that
in and of itself is good practice because you get to meet people from different
courses, different backgrounds. And that can help you well first of all make friends
and have good company during your time at uni but also help you become a more
well rounded person, kind of step out of your comfort zone and meet new people.
And also I would always say because I have personal experience with it, if there is
something you're really passionate about and UCL doesn't have a society to
accommodate you, then start your own.
'What's the work-life balance like LOL'? Okay, I'm not gonna lie to anybody, the
workload at UCL is a lot, we have a lot of work to do and this is kind of like the
running running theme across all courses so it kind of doesn't matter what course
you're on, if you're at UCL, your workload is going to be immense.
I said at the start of this video I'm gonna answer these questions honestly,
so sometimes it can get overwhelming and sometimes it can get too much.
And I would say, when it does get like that, you should do two things.
First, lean on your course mates. I have difficulty doing that because I do
generally find it difficult asking for help but it is something that you must do
because you can't do everything on your own. And number two, don't be afraid
to ask for help from your department or your personal tutor because
at the end of the day, you pay for your education.
And so if the help is there and if the aid is there then take it.
Sabrina says 'What skills have you gained during your academic years
that aren't academic'? So I would say that because of my role in the Afghan society,
I've been forced to work on my delegation skills.
I always knew that wasn't something that I'm particularly good at but when
you're running a committee you're kind of forced to delegate tasks.
I don't think many people would call this a skill but I would call this a skill -
self care and taking care of yourself. I wasn't always good at that, I didn't really
make time to just chill and just relax, and put on a face mask and have a hot shower.
Because I have such a huge workload at uni, I've kind of been forced to,
when I do have the opportunity, to kind of really offload, reflect on what's been
happening and how I feel and really to again devise a plan to recuperate,
especially after deadlines because how you feel after a deadline is brutal.
Okay Zarah said, 'What's your experience as an Asian student in London'?
So UCL is quite a diverse university in terms of kind of ethnicity, race and
nationality, that's why we're called London's global university!
But I would say that one thing UCL does lack in its student body would be
financial diversity, if that's even a word.
I do think that as time goes by, you can get bogged down if you're from a
working-class background or you went to state school or you lived and grew
up in an area that just doesn't look like London and doesn't look like UCL.
I would say that sometimes, for some people that can be an unnerving feeling.
I would say embrace your individuality, it's what makes you different
and if you embrace it, a lot of people will actually admire you for it.
If you can do that, regardless of your ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation,
your dress sense, it doesn't matter, if you can own those parts of yourself
then you will be fine and people will admire and respect you for it.
The next question is, 'Three things that every student needs to know before starting university'?
One, you don't have to complete every single reading in order to get a good grade.
I would always encourage you to do your readings, they're really important
especially for discussion points in seminars, just understand that you
don't need to do every single piece of reading to get a good grade.
Two, start thinking about internships and grad opportunities earlier on,
not in terms of actually going through the application process, although if you
want to then that's fine but more so trying to gain an insight into the industries
that you're interested in and what it's actually like to work in those industries.
So again open days, insight days, really just starting to think about your options
after university, you should know that, that's something you have to do
before coming to university. Three, it's okay to feel lonely when you
first come to university and a little bit lost and a little overwhelmed.
Actually everybody feels like that to a certain extent so don't feel weird for
not completely 100% loving university within the first few weeks.
Again, you'll adjust and things will get better.
Okay, so I've answered as many questions as I can.
If you're a current UCL student then I'd love to know how your experience
is similar or different to mine. If you're a prospective student, I hope you've
learnt something new about UCL and university life in general.
And regardless of who you are, I hope you've enjoyed watching this video
and if you have enjoyed watching this video then check out my
personal YouTube channel, Fatima Naimi, for more content.
Thank you so much for watching everybody
and I'll see you in my next video!