My Experience as a Third Year Student at Loughborough University
Meet Ben. He is from Northern Ireland, Belfast and studies sports science at Loughborough University He is in his final year , preparing to graduate this July. In this article, Ben shares with us his experience living and studying at Loughborough university.
Why did you choose Loughborough University?
Loughborough is a great university and ranks really well for Sports Science, the course I wanted to do. It has a really good reputation and for me, being from Northern Ireland, having to move away from home , this was the only place I was prepared to do that for.
What made you decide on a sports science degree?
I’ve always been interested in the body—its biology, physiology, and our overall health. I’m very interested in how you become the best version of yourself and I believe exercise and having knowledge about the body can facilitate that.
What were your first impressions of Loughborough?
I came to Loughborough for an open day but to view the university so I didn’t really have a perception of the town at first. I did initially think it was quite a big place, even though it’s a small town, but now as I’ve been living here for a number of years, everything has become a lot smaller and interconnected, and it feels like I’m at home.
What do you love most about Loughborough?
What I really like about Loughborough is that it’s very centred around sports, and there’s a sense of community that comes with that. It’s almost like there’s a certain vibe here that just fits with who I am. I like being around like-minded people who share similar passions. For me, it’s all about the people and the connections I’ve made. There’s also plenty of places to hang out and have fun.
Loughborough town is very centred around the University as well. I think that the amount of students coming into the town has been good for investments with restaurants and places to hang out, which is good to see, they’re definitely being used by students!
Where is your favourite restaurant in Loughborough?
This is a good question. I’m very very into my food and there’s a place called Fernandez Grill house. It’s really close to my accommodation and it’s ideal for students; good food and reasonable prices! I’m also a big coffee fan. There’s a really good coffee place nearby called Esquires, it’s great for working and every time you walk by you’ll see students there doing their work or hanging out.
You can check out Future Generation’s Loughborough Student Guide for more tips on life here as a student.
Where do you like to study?
I’d say I have a mix of three or four go-to spots for studying. Firstly, there’s my room – I used to try and avoid studying in my room but this year I’ve realised how important it is to work wherever you are so it’s become one of my study spots.
My student accommodation, Luxurio, also has a common study area downstairs. . It’s got some really good seating areas and workspaces for people to use.. My accommodation is really good in that sense, there are a lot of facilities that facilitate my life as a student. Then, there’s Esquires, as I just mentioned. It’s a hotspot for Uni students like myself!
Lastly, there’s the university. The library and study areas are perfect for getting work done when you’re on campus.
How did you find making friends at Loughborough?
I’m a pretty social person, and I enjoy chatting with new people. Loughborough, being the type of university it is, really fosters a social atmosphere. There are always events happening and tons of opportunities to meet new people. It’s just one of those places where you can easily make friends. The first two years were definitely better socially than my final year has been.
Where have you lived over your time at university?
In my first year of university I lived in student halls, and that was great. You’re really at the centre of the university, everything is very accessible and I feel like it’s definitely ideal for a first-year student.
Then in my second year I lived in a student house, even though unfortunately that’s when the lockdown happened. However, living in a house with your friends was great because I suppose we had each other for the experience.
I took a year out last year, which meant that when I came back this year to finish my 3rd year, I didn’t really know anyone coming into this year, which is why I chose to live at Luxurio student accommodation. I feel like I’ve been really lucky this year, I’ve become friends with my flatmates and I’m friendly with a lot of people in the building. There are a lot of opportunities to meet people in the building, for example you can play activities like table tennis and snooker, there’s even a PlayStation downstairs! So, even though I’ve had to rebuild my friends circle, I’ve definitely still enjoyed the social side in part thanks to where I live.
What do you like most about Luxurio?
Luxurio has great aesthetics and I really enjoy the atmosphere of the downstairs area. There’s always something going on, like table tennis, snooker, and PlayStation games, which makes the place really inviting and a good place to hang out socially. I’ve also become quite friendly with the staff here too, they’re always welcoming and available for a chat. .
Not to mention my room! It’s perfect for what I want and need as a final-year student. Everything works perfectly, and you get a real sense of quality in the entire student accommodation.
Downsides? I don’t have anything negative to say about it at all. It’s been a really positive experience overall and I’m enjoying living here!
With your degree finishing this July, what would be your dream job?
Like a lot of other students that I’ve spoken to, I’m still trying to figure out what’s next. I did a placement with a football club as part of my course, which was a great experience,However, I’m not sure if I want to go into that as a career but I’m also not closed off to the idea. I think when it comes to next steps a more general business position would be something I’d be interested in exploring.
My top tips for next years’ Loughborough First Year Students
- Don’t leave things until the last minute!
- Go outside your comfort zone and be open to people so you don’t close yourself off.
- You definitely want to cook rather than buy takeaways every night. I know they’re nice but they’ll drain your budget. I didn’t know how to cook before uni, I knew the basics but over the last 3 years I’ve definitely improved.
- Look after yourself, your physical and mental health because it will definitely help with your studying. I always try to go to the gym in the morning before I work because I feel like it gets you in a better headspace for studying.
