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Rediscovering Nottingham as a Local Turned Student

For many students, starting university is synonymous with a new lifestyle, new friends, and living in a new city. Jemima Tilzey is going into her second year of nursing at the University of Nottingham (UoN). Despite growing up in Nottingham, 20 minutes away from University Park campus, Jemima decided to live on campus for her first year.

Jemima’s reason for choosing UoN was simple: the course was one of the best for nursing. Originally, she had planned to go to Manchester University, however, after retaking Biology, she got the grades for UoN.

Living so close to University Park and the QMC, Jemima could have continued living at home, or chosen the apprenticeship route. Yet, the university lifestyle was a major factor in her decision to live in catered halls on campus. “I wanted to meet new people and make new friends,” explains Jemima, “I didn’t think I would make as many friends as I have…The social aspect of living on campus really surprised me. I was a bit nervous about catered food and sharing bathrooms, but I’ve actually really enjoyed it.”

Jemima grew up visiting Nottingham hot spots as a local, but being a student has given her a fresh perspective: “It does feel like I’ve explored a new city. Even though I live in Notts, I’ve discovered a whole different side of it and learnt so much more about it.”

She has introduced new friends to her favourite places like Pepper Rocks and Falafel. Jemima’s also discovered some for herself, including countless evenings spent at Sushi Mania making the most of the 50% off deal. Jemima had never visited Beeston before university, and hadn’t known about its great charity shop scene.

Nightlife as a student and a local in Nottingham are two extremely different experiences. Before university, Jemima had only gone to Rescue Rooms, Stealth and Rock City. She’d never gone to student nights.

Initially joking that Pryzm has an awful reputation amongst her home friends, Jemima shared that Monday Pryzm is now one of her favourite nights out. The Cell only runs during term time and is a relatively new club, so Jemima had never gone there either before she was a UoN student.

Sharing her stomping ground with university friends has made her appreciate the city even more. Jemima grew up visiting Wollaton Park and Lakeside as a local, and over the past year she’s watched new friends also grow to love these places. It’s clear how much Jemima adores her city- raving about the variety Nottingham offers. “There are so many bars and clubs, restaurants, beautiful parks, and fun things to do.”

“People sometimes think it’s a waste to move out to only live 20 minutes away, but it was the best decision I could have made… I’ve explored a whole new side to Notts and I love it.”

by Anna Boyne

Photography by Gemma Cockrell (above) & Kavindu Ranasinghe (left)

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