2011 is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate the achievements and triumphs of women all over the world. Will this year be the year that you achieve your goals? And will any of these goals involve studying at university?
If you do decide to take the plunge and study at university, you’ll be joining female students from all walks of life, from girls just leaving school and college, to those undertaking further training or a career change, to mature students who want to do something for themselves after having a family.
No matter what type of student you are, there is a subject to suit you, from women’s studies and midwifery, to languages, hospitality, music, social policy, art and design, geography, and most conceivable things in between. There are so many subjects to choose from, at various different levels, from Higher National Diplomas, Degrees, Honours Degrees, Post Graduate Qualifications, and Professional Certificates such as those awarded by the Chartered Institute of Marketing. It’s possible to study full-time, part-time, evenings or weekends, either at university, online, or depending on your course, at your place of work too. Some people choose to leave home and stay/study in another town or city; others stay put and go to the nearest university that offers the course they want. But this site isn’t here to make those choices for you, it’s just here to point out what choices there are, and profile what life will be like as a student.
Finance is bound to be one of your key concerns, and it’s top of our list too, as we run through the benefits of using a student bank account, what loans, grants, or bursaries you may be entitled to, and ways to supplement your income, so budgets aren’t too tight.
Being a happy and healthy student is also very important, and universities up and down the country have support systems in place to help you out with everything from study problems to homesickness and health issues. There are often counsellors and medical staff on-site, course leaders, tutors, and other staff to help. There’s also a range of facilities and information provided by the university and their student union from housing to Graduate training schemes to make life easier.
Although wellbeing and finance are serious issues, university is about having fun too, and the possibilities here are endless. Wherever you study, you’ll be bound to meet students from all over the country/world, and share common interests with them. There’ll also be a lively social program on campus, and plenty of things to do in the local town(s). Not forgetting that universities are famed for the number of clubs and societies they run, which cover every subject imaginable.
University offers something for everyone, and although it may not be easy to leave home, get back into study, and take on the new challenges each course throws at you, it’s bound to be a fun and rewarding experience. After all, as Cyndi Lauper says ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’.