Harriet
Argyle

Why NTU…

Why did you choose NTU and your course?

I chose NTU after I attended an open day while I was in college and after talking with the staff and looking around the campus I felt that it was a place I would be able to really discover who I am and who I want to be in the future.

I chose sociology as I was passionate about the subject having studied it at A Levels and I thought that Nottingham Trent University provided a fascinating course with brilliant module options in Second and Third Year.

Could you describe your experience of being an NTU student?

I have truly loved my time at NTU, I have grown and learnt so much about myself and my subject choice. I have felt so supported by the lecturers and I have found real success within my passions. I cannot recommend this place enough, it has been truly life changing.

How would you describe the support from your tutors, university staff and student services?

Excellent, during lockdowns I truly felt that my module leaders, tutors and lecturers were doing everything they could to give us the best experiences despite the limitations put in place. Even outside of the scope of the pandemic, I feel able to ask questions without worrying if they are stupid, I’m not scared to ask for help either in person or over email and I feel that those who work with me genuinely want me to succeed.

Outside of the Lecture Theatre…

What three words would you use to describe Nottingham?

Diverse, Electric, Iconic

Where is a good place to eat, drink or visit in the city?

I have a lot of love for Bodega, Mojo and Vodka Revolution, I have made a lot of incredible memories in those bars.

Some of my favourite places in Nottingham include the Arboretum, the National Ice Centre, Rock City and The National Criminal Justice Museum.

For a low-key afternoon, I would visit 200 degrees coffee shop right in the city centre, or even Nottingham Contemporary gallery. But honestly you cannot go far in Nottingham without discovering somewhere truly incredible.

Did you find it easy to make friends and settle in at NTU?

I found some life-long friends within halls, the societies I joined and on my course. There were always moments where I felt alone or homesick, but I found it incredibly easy to find someone who felt the same way and for us to get through those rough moments together. Settling into NTU was far easier than I expected, you just need to remember that pretty much everyone else is feeling the same way you do. Be confident in the fact that no one else has any more of a clue in what they are doing then you do and you’ll be completely fine.

The Next Steps…

Has the employability team helped you plan for life beyond NTU?

Every interaction I have had with the employability team has been incredibly useful in making myself feel more confident in what I will be doing in my life after university, I can not recommend their support enough.

What would you say to someone who is thinking of applying to NTU?

DO IT, you will have the best time and meet the most incredible people.

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting at NTU?

Things don’t always go the way you expected, some things happen that are completely out of your control and that’s ok. Remember to take a break, to not spend your entire student loan in Victoria Centre, that cooking and buying second handbooks is always better and that sometimes taking a break looks a lot like saying yes to a night out.