Because what you see… Isn’t always what you get.
1. The Hills
No, I’m not talking about the reality TV show centred around the glamorous lives of tanned Californians here, I’m talking REAL hills. They call it the “Seven Hills of Sheffield” for a reason. I actually lived on a hill this past academic year, and many students end up doing so for all their years here because there are just SO. MANY. DAMN. HILLS.
On the upside, however, a little walk to the city centre becomes an unintentional mini-cardio session, which is a nice balance for all the ramen and chips with curry you’ll eat. Do not forget to pack some comfy trainers. You can’t see the hills on google maps, but they’re there. Trust me.
2. The Campus
If you’re used to having a campus that is spread out throughout a town, you don’t need to worry about this part. However, if you’re like me and you come from a place where campuses are small and buildings are close together, it’s going to take a bit to get used to how far apart some of the buildings are at the UoS.
I was lucky enough to have my department building close to my accommodation, but some of my friends had a 30-minute trek whenever they had a lecture! The Students' Union building is kind of the centre of it all, and the uni is really good at making sure you have enough time between lectures to get to where you need to be but be ready to walk quite a lot. Also, check where your department is when you choose your accommodation!
3. The Societies
Speaking of our Students' Union, did I mention we’ve been ranked No.1 for the last 10 years? With dedicated SU officers, a beautiful building and 10 places to get food and drinks (which have a variety of options for those with special dietary needs), it really lives up to the name of that number 1 spot.
Naturally, with an SU this big, we have a whole lot of societies. You can find a society to do what you love, whatever your passions are. If for some reason you can’t seem to find your tribe, you can also make a proposal to start a society, and the committees and officers will support you. After all, uni doesn’t have to be all about academics, and joining a society is a great way to make friends!
4. The Halls
Ok. I’ll admit that in hindsight it wasn’t all that bad, but it definitely wasn’t the best… I lived in “City Accommodation”, which just meant it wasn’t miles away from most of the buildings on campus. It still took about 15 minutes (including 2 hills) for me to get to the actual city centre area. The other 2 accommodations which most freshers pick are about 30 minutes away from the main campus area, and while there is much more of a “uni” feel there, as they have more places to meet fellow residents, it’s not so great when you have 8 or 9ams.
Now the insides… Again, not that great. There are some places that have been refurbished while others have not, so there’s quite a big disparity between the two. I was unfortunately put in the old halls, so the decades’ worth of wear and tear of various students living in my block really showed. Sheffield has a ton of affordable private accommodation available, so if you’re not too fussed about “the university experience” I’d advise having a look at those as well. Take a look at our reviews on Sheffield’s accommodation to help you decide which halls will be right for you.
5. The Weather
Now, this is more for my fellow international students. By now you probably know that the UK is plagued by grey skies and rain. What you don’t know is how the weather flips in a matter of minutes. One minute you’re shivering in the rain, the next, the sun comes out (for a second) and you find yourself somehow sweating. This past March it snowed and most of my lectures got cancelled for that day.
Do NOT forget a parka! And if you can fit them in your luggage, weatherproof boots. Even if it doesn’t come chucking it down, you’ll need them if you’re going to the Peak District. Also, bring an actual winter coat. You will need it.
6. The Trams
I don’t know about you, but until I came to Sheffield I had never seen trams in my life. Basically, they’re like a hybrid of a bus and a train and run throughout the streets. You will inevitably have a moment where you fear for your life after being too cocky and trying to cross without checking for any trams coming through.
There are student rate tickets for the tram available through the SU, and the tram is the most efficient way to get to the gigantic shopping mall (Meadowhall) and the new IKEA. The ticket checkers are also super nice, and chances are you’ll make a friend by the time you get off.
7. The People
Both on and off campus, you’ll meet some really lovely people. I mean, it’s not some kind of gated utopia so you might come across some not-so-great people, especially on nights out amongst drunken loudmouths, but for the most part, the belief that Northerners are nicer than Southerners is true.
The UoS has a decent amount of international students (including me!), an active BME committee, and a vast amount of societies serving as safe spaces for everyone. As with any university, there’s room for improvement, but hopefully, with our new progressive all-female run SU, some changes for the better will be made.
Though I’ve only been at the University of Sheffield for a year, it’s been a great experience for me so far. Sure, it’s not always perfect all the time, but such is life.
Just really not going to miss the sad moss-green crumbly carpet in my room… Thank god for wooden floors and cheap studio apartments. Only in Sheffield!
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