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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Which uni do you wish you’d gone to and why?

60 replies

Oldhandhere · 22/05/2023 12:44

Just that really. I enjoyed Leeds but if I had my time again I’d go to Swansea - friends there had such a great time on the beach!

OP posts:
SandyIrvin · 22/05/2023 12:49

Would have stayed in my uni city (Glasgow) but would have went to Strathclyde not Glasgow. Would have preferred more practical, useful learning.

GoodQuestion01 · 22/05/2023 12:55

I went to Manchester and loved it. I’m trying to think of where I could have gone instead but I can’t so no regrets!

Blair31 · 22/05/2023 12:55

I’d have loved Manchester - much more live music there than in Exeter!

fortyfifty · 22/05/2023 14:00

I think either Newcastle or UEA. For the live music and they are two cities I have been to and really like.

SeaPink · 22/05/2023 14:03

I think Aberystwyth and Keele seem like they'd be nice.

SmartHome · 22/05/2023 14:03

Not Edinburgh where I went, cold place, cold city, cold people, cold university.

I'd have like to go to a campus uni I thnk now - or beachy. Exeter, Southampton, somewhere like that.

willyouwontyoubemybaby · 22/05/2023 14:05

I'd go to Sussex, which is - in fact - where I did go. Living in central Brighton from year 2, beach, downs, nightlife. So much fun.

ItsCalledAConversation · 22/05/2023 14:07

I would have tried for Oxford. I could have, and I didn’t. I’m always going to wonder why my 16 year old brain made that decision.

Boxbedbank · 22/05/2023 14:15

I stayed in my home town because my parents thought it best for me. It wasn't I got accepted at three different unis and wish I'd gone to any of these. My friend from uni was saying last week she listened to her parents and wished she'd gone to Leeds where she'd had an offer. I will never let my dc know where I think they should study, I may give them things to think about/research if necessary but won't put my dc in the situation I was in. I do worry I won't be seen as supportive enough sometimes.
Dc2 has asd and very high achieving and could probably get in to most unis but wants to stay at home and go local /online. I don't think this will be best for their independence but have just suggested they keep their options open for now.

QueenofLouisiana · 22/05/2023 14:25

I was really happy at UEA and I am glad I went there but I am envious that DS is choosing somewhere truly different from home.

3sthemagicnumber · 22/05/2023 14:28

I went to Oxford and had a good time there. The place I was most drawn to was UCL - I loved the course, the city, the tutor who interviewed me.

I was scared of the cost and maybe a bit scared of moving there at 18, and of course I was thrilled to be accepted at Oxford. I don't think I regret it exactly, but I did have a real pang of what might have been when I was looking around UCL with DD1 recently.

Hobert · 22/05/2023 14:29

I turned down an offer at Glasgow which I now think would have been fun, I love Glasgow. I met the father of my son at the university I did end up at though so I can't really wish I'd done it differently.

Namingchangeagain · 22/05/2023 14:30

Wish I’d gone to Aberystwyth rather than Essex

78thcat · 22/05/2023 14:39

Would have liked to have gone to Edinburgh. It was my first choice and they rejected me. I just loved the idea of living in Scotland.

I don't think the teachers ever thought to mention Oxford or Cambridge at our school as no one ever went there. I only realised that they were something to aspire to just before finishing my a-levels by which time it was a bit too late to do anything about my very mediocre results.

JocelynBurnell · 22/05/2023 15:01

I would also have loved Edinburgh.

I went to Imperial for undergraduate but did post-doc in Edinburgh years later. I think Edinburgh would have been a far superior university experience.

BlastedPimples · 22/05/2023 15:08

Edinburgh to do French and German.

Phos · 22/05/2023 15:11

Probably Durham. The quasi-collegiate system would have suited me and it’s such a lovely place. By contrast, I went to Manchester. Awful, ugly city and seemed to attract a certain type of person which really wasn’t what I expected. Looking back on my open day/interview/offer holder days at both the above, the other applicants at Durham were much friendlier and nicer. The vibe of the people I met at interview in Manchester should have warned me off.

DaisyWaldron · 22/05/2023 15:21

The university I went to was absolutely the right one for me. I loved my time there, made really good friends, and learned a huge amount. I was later diagnosed with ADHD and the assessment system suited me down to the ground - lots of day to week long open papers. I got a first, but I think I would have struggled on a course with more traditional three hour closed exams.

converseandjeans · 22/05/2023 15:28

I also wanted to go to Swansea - I loved the idea of being near the beach. Didn't get the grades unfortunately 🤨

Faircastle · 22/05/2023 15:37

I went to university in central London, living in halls in zone 1 for the first year and then various student houses in zone 2. It was a great opportunity and experience, but everything involved a tube / train / bus journey: lectures, library, visiting friends, going out. Part of me wonders what it would have been like to attend a campus university where everything is on one site.

Cheekymaw · 22/05/2023 15:42

I went to Glasgow Caledonian. Used to be called Glasgow Tech . I wouldn't change that as it was really friendly and the lecturers were really good and it was supportive to a skint single mum .(What I was at the time).No idea what it's like now. Also seen loads of good bands there before I went and before baby !😆

Fifthtimelucky · 22/05/2023 15:43

I would have loved to go somewhere with beautiful buildings. For that reason my first choice was Royal Holloway, which I fell in love with as soon as I opened the prospectus and saw the photos. I ended up at a modern plate glass monstrosity (where it must be admitted that I had a great time)!

I would still like somewhere with beautiful old buildings and plenty of green spaces. My daughter was at Oxford and I felt very envious. The teenage me would never have aspired to it and I certainly wouldn't have got in, but the 60+ year old me would love to have gone!

GreenDressy · 22/05/2023 16:46

ItsCalledAConversation · 22/05/2023 14:07

I would have tried for Oxford. I could have, and I didn’t. I’m always going to wonder why my 16 year old brain made that decision.

Same for me. I let myself be put off the idea but I really should have tried at least.

Fairislefandango · 22/05/2023 16:50

I woupd choose the same again (Oxford) - no doubts. If I had to go somewhere else though, I think I'd pick York or Edinburgh.

HuntingoftheSnark · 22/05/2023 16:51

Nice to see Aberystwyth mentioned! I went there and loved it. First year halls on the sea front. People tended not to go away at weekends, probably because it took so long, so we all made brilliant friends.