Student life in the city – or perhaps the country?
Student life in the city – or perhaps the country?
THE chance to study in a city is a chance not to be missed, says Philip.
Variety is one of the key plus points, he says. Variety in terms of the people at the university, the courses offered and the social life. "There are so many different things to do in Newcastle," says Philip, who is two-thirds of the way through an agricultural degree in the north-east.
"Going out is no problem. If you are in a small college, there might only be a few places to go."
Transport in urban areas is also easy. Newcastle has a good Metro (like Londons tube) and bus service. Students also rely heavily on bicycles. "You can walk to everything.
"I have a car, but tend to only use it for trips outside the city or getting home. It is a luxury rather than a necessity."
Philip will spend his third year in a house of five in Jesmond, a city suburb, where the going rate is about £47-£55 a week. "You could move farther out and get it for £40 or less."
He is dismissive of suggestions that city life is more dangerous. "I have never heard of any crime in the streets. It is all very friendly."
A big Uni also provides more scope to change course or directions, which is important with the agricultural industry in its present state. "It leaves your options open."
And for people who are brought up on a farm – and plan to go back there to work – three years in a city is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. "I may never get the chance to do it again. I absolutely love it."
STUDYING in the countryside was a big factor in Michaels decision to opt for Wye College in Kent.
"I never wanted to spend three years in a city, it just did not appeal. I saw Wye as the place to get a good degree while staying in the countryside."
Wye is, he says, a very friendly community. "You get to know everyone."
This close social environment can be a little intense. "But that just adds to the fun of it. Everyone knowing everything. It is nice to know that, if you go to the Union bar, there will be someone you know."
The Union is the centre of social life. "There are three pubs in the village, so, yes, we are a little more limited but no one finds it a problem. Everyone makes their own fun, and there is always Canterbury and Ashford a short train ride away."
Attending a relatively small college also means student numbers in lectures are small. "The relationship between student and lecturer is more personal. They are easier to approach."
Having a car is not an essential, either, he says. "The majority of people do have cars, but it is not a disadvantage if you do not. You will probably have mates who can run you about, or you can always find a house in the village." As regards accommodation, £35 is about the going rate.
For people following equine-related courses, the chance to live in the countryside means they can keep their horses locally, too. "You could not do that in a city centre."
* Look out for a guide to college courses in the features section in August.
A-level results will soon be
out. Its time to think about
college or university.
Deciding which subject to
study is hard enough – then
theres the question of
where. One key decision
youll have to make is
whether to opt for a city
campus or a rural one.
Leaving the academic issues
temporarily aside, FW hears
about the practicalities of
student life in the city
and the country
FOOD rationing ended officially as meat controls – the first War-time big food scheme – ended.
But cattle prices shot up to record levels in some markets – then slumped. "The return to free sales in fatstock markets and unrationed meats has been spectacular and chaotic," said FWs leader column.
The big debate now was how much meat people would eat. "Who cares about a hot meal of roast meat and two veg," was the question posed by one writer about Sunday lunch. "Precious few," he decided. "The majority prefer the open road and a few sandwiches."
If you ate too much, maybe you would have been interested in buying a Wren Officers Super Corset. "Be service streamlined," said the shopping-by-post advert.
If you were working outside, it would have been protection against the rain you would have been more interested in than looks. Haymaking was a washout in some areas, as over two-and-a-half inches of rain fell in one weekend.
Spare time between haymaking might have been taken up rabbit shooting. Myxomatosis was still gaining ground and now affected 37 counties in Britain. The RSPCA, shocked by "this terrible disease" was offering free cartridges to shoot afflicted rabbits.
And it was a "right royal" Royal, with the high-profile show held in the grounds of the Queens home at Windsor. In Westminster, meanwhile, Prime Minister Winston Churchill appointed Derick Heathcoat Amory as Minister of Agriculture after the resignation of Sir Thomas Dugdale.
Maybe it was a new era? Maybe it was the time to expand your farm? You could, after all, have bought 33 acres in Somerset, with a "gentlemans residence" for £5500.
Thats £5500 total, if youre wondering, not per acre.