ANOTHER LETTER FROM SHEFFIELD Following on from last year's letter from Sheffield, I thought it might be best to give a slightly broader view of University life and a few aspects relating to Sheffield in particular, but before doing so it is worth noting that it is not a bad idea if you feel like it, to take a year off from studying, have a rest, and then embark on your further education. It is not unknown for people to find the need to continue at a certain pace of academic study too much, this is particularly true of the Law course. However, don't let this detract from the obvious enjoyment and achievement which can be found in University life. Most people find they settle in by the end of the first term, and the freedom is very conducive to participation in the social life surrounding the University. This is particularly so in Sheffield, where the University is very much integrated with the City. One point which must be emphasised, as Mark Dimelow noted in his letter to The Peterite last year, is that self discipline is the all important factor at University or any College, both in work and play. The attractions of the life are many, and these must be balanced against your work commitment, where you will find the onus is on you to keep up with the course requirements. There seems to be a surprising number of Peterites at Sheffield, both in the University and at the Polytechnic. It seems to be a very popular area, probably because it is just far enough out of reach of parents for people to feel fully independent. Mark Dimelow mentioned last year the large range of activities including sport, politics, and other recreational facilities in the Union, Halls, and Faculties, not to mention the inter-University competitions and liaisons, so I will not reiterate that point. However, one further aspect of University life is accommodation. We are often told that with inflation affecting rents and prices in general, the situation is fairly tight. Nevertheless, there is a wide range of accommodation for students, including lodging with a family, living in a flat, at home, or in a hall of residence. From the first year point of view, purely on social grounds, I would recommend going into hall if you can, as that way you will get to know more people quickly, and then later on perhaps decide to go and live in a flat. Finally, if you want to get away from University for a while, there is a perfect back door to Sheffield, namely the Peak District, which will provide you with fresh air and good walks, interspersed with a few pubs, and a change from any constraining routine. Basically you make University, or any College for that matter, what you will. C.E.S.M. 12.3.76 The Editor would be very pleased to have letters from other Universities and Colleges.
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