Clarina Zoology BSc Honours
Choosing Newcastle
My original thoughts were to study at Durham, and to be honest I had never thought about Newcastle that much. But that all changed when I came on an Open Day here. At the Open Day the staff were incredibly friendly, they made you feel very welcome, and you got a real sense that the University really wanted you to come.
The chance to go overseas at the end of my 2nd year, and the fact I could do a research project in my 3rd year made me feel that the University took my degree very seriously, and they would offer me opportunities in experience that no other place could.
Living
Newcastle is a very safe place, on a night out there's always the knowledge that police are around making sure nothing is going to happen.
Shopping is the best it could be, considering you have the MetroCentre and the town centre. Plus with a UniRider bus pass you can hop on buses to all the major supermarkets, and the MetroCentre whenever you want.
There are some good discount food places, like Eldon Foods in the town centre too.
Newcastle is very easy to get to; you can fly here, and get the train straight here from many places as it's a main stop on the way to Edinburgh, or London.
Studying
I loved Zoology. It was hard work, but the lecturers were always there to help you, and they made sure you knew where their room was so you could come and ask questions if you ever needed to.
The lecturers were always very friendly as well, and made it clear that there were no barriers between you and them, you could have a laugh and a joke, as well as doing work.
Zoology was also good at helping me go for different opportunities; I helped out with a research project in my 1st year, I went to Canada to look at a Grizzly Bear Reserve in the summer after my 2nd year, and in my 3rd year did a research project on the grazing behaviour of cattle.
You also go on a week-long fieldwork trip with people on your course. As well as this the degree tries to get you out as much as possible looking at things in the field.
The library is now open later; I still think 24 hours would be the best thing, but at least they listened to the students and extended them as much as they could. Plus there's a 24 hour computer cluster in the Bedson Building, which is on campus.
You never feel unsafe being around campus in early hours, since you know campus security are just over the road, and always on patrol.
Going out
Newcastle without a doubt has something for everyone. If you don't like clubs, then there's a whole line of pubs just near the University, or you can go to Ouseburn near the Quayside and enjoy The Cluny, of The Freetrade Inn. But the Real Ale society I'm sure would introduce you to those areas anyway!
If you want to involve yourself in a bit more of the 'local' nightlife, then the Bigg Market is always an experience. Or if you'd like to mix nice restaurants with some nice cocktails, or a bit of dancing, then the Quayside is a must. Plus you get the beautiful views of the bridges at night.
For people who like rock music, the o2 Academy is a great night out for a mixture of rock and indie. Plus they host many music acts, which I think personally give a better more intimate feel then if you went to see them at the Metro Radio Arena.
For those who also like rock mixed with punk/ska, then Legends has a great mixture of them both, and most nights will be packed with like-minded people.
Trillians is a great way to start out, as they often put on free bands, or even battle of the band contests.
There are cinemas galore; the Empire for the major movies, the Tyneside just down the road for a mixture of major and independent, and the Star and Shadow Cinema a little bit further into Newcastle for foreign and cultural film festivals.
Staying in
My current abode is Fenham; about 20 mins walk from the city centre, frequented by the 39, 40, and 12, or the 38, 10 or 11 if you want to head to the station instead.
I have a wholesale greengrocers, which makes buying fruit/veg very cheap, an Iceland and Netto nearby, and Morrisons just a hop away on the bus. Plus a few late night shops which easily supply with last minute milk, munchies, or whatever a party might need. There's also a few good takeaways, a bowling alley nearby, B&B's for any family that wants to stay, and some restaurants too. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else at the moment, the area just seems to have everything I could ever need.
Spare time
When I wasn't studying, I'd be working, but I managed to get a job at Science Centre which helped my degree and was something I enjoyed. Before that in my first year, I took part in the Conservation Society, the Rock Society and at times the Indie Society.
I think the first thing you should do in Freshers Week is find a society and join it. I've met some of the most important friends in my life just from joining societies, including my flatmate, and my boyfriend, and generally gave me valuable volunteering experience, as well as boosting my confidence with people.
The social life at Newcastle is pretty amazing. I still believe that no matter what your interest is, you can find a society that suits you.
Best things about...
The independence is one of the best things; you are your own boss in many ways, you can stay out as late as you want, and go wherever you want. You can eat what you want, and just pick your own schedule. Outside of lectures obviously!
Newcastle is friendly, gives you a great atmosphere and the opportunity to do many things. Plus the University, and the area itself, is always ready to help students and make it easier for you to get out and about, and do new things.
Your future
I graduated in July 2008, and I now work full time as a Science Explainer at the International Centre for Life in Newcastle.
The fact I was doing a science degree was one of the reasons that I got the job, and the knowledge has helped me to talk to visitors about animal species, and even current scientific practices.
I got the job part-time near the end of my 2nd year, and although sometimes it was hard to juggle both, my boss was always very understanding about University commitments.
I found my job thanks to the Careers Service at Newcastle, and their job alerts. I'd certainly recommend signing up to the job alerts, and taking any free advice they can give you.
Currently I do 20-minute science shows at work, I also do workshops, and I talk to people around the centre about the exhibits that we have.
Once schools start to come back to the centre, I'll be trained up in leading labs as well. All of this has increased my speaking confidence amazingly.
At the start of University, in my mind the worst job would have been me having to stand up in front of people every day and talk to them. I would've avoided this completely. But I think by the time I was halfway through my degree, I'd already learnt that it wasn't as scary as I thought it was, and that gave me the confidence to go for the job. Now some of my favourite times of the job are doing the science shows; because I love to hear people laughing and enjoying themselves, but also teaching young people that science is not something that's boring, and something they can't be involved in.
For the future, I'd actually like to work with animals more. I come in contact with some animals at work, like Giant Land Snails, or the tarantula, but ideally I'd want to work in an animal welfare, or animal health capacity. So I'm thinking about a Masters, and looking into doing voluntary work. But in the meantime my current job is still giving me valuable experience.
