Words: Sonal Patel

Starting at sixth form, college or uni this year? Scared about what to expect? We hear from Samiat Olasupo, a student from London who started at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College last September. She currently studies A Levels in Business Studies, Sociology and Psychology.

SB: What were your first impressions of your new college?

Samiat Olasupo (SO): At first when I started the college I was a bit nervous, but luckily for me I had a friend in all my lessons. The first two days were fine and I settled down quite quickly, as the college was still enrolling people, classes were getting full so I was moved into another tutor group. I didn’t like this group at first but then I settled in. I thought the college looked good and had some friendly faces.

SB: Was this any different to what you expected?

SO: I wouldn’t say it was different to what I expected because I had already expected change and differences as I knew the environment would be nothing like school, where there is only a certain age allowed, whereas at college, the ages start from 14 upwards.

SB: What did you have to do on the first day?

SO: On my first day students that had already studied at the college took us on a tour of the college and introduced us to some faces; we also had to introduce ourselves to one another.

SB: Did you know anyone at the college before you started?

SO: I knew previous students that attended the college.

SB: How did you make friends? How did you approach people?

SO: Well as I already had one friend with me I was comfortable, but I guess it was easier to make friends while on the tour of the college as we had to pair up, and in the end we all just had a conversation as a way to get to know one another. You have to carry yourself as a confident person but not to over do it, shyness is never the best.

SB: How did you deal with not being able to find the classrooms you were meant to be in?

SO: It was pretty easy to get around the college as they had codes for different floors. For example, a classroom on the ground floor would be something like G123 or a classroom on the 7th floor would start with 716.

SB: Did you face any issues?

SO: My issues were just finding it hard to adjust to quick deadlines and making sure work was up to standard. It’s always best to plan, have a strategy and stick to it. You also need to remember to drink plenty of fluids and don’t be ashamed to ask ridiculous questions.

SO: Not really, I mean I try to just focus on why I am attending college, is it for friends or the education? If you balance everything out, you are pretty much sorted. You just have your head screwed on right because there are many distractions, such as the common room, where you might find a lot of students hanging around, instead of being in a lesson.

SB: After some time, did you suffer from or become susceptible to any of the following, explain why:

SO: I have never been bullied and as for boy trouble I could never imagine myself with one of the boys in my classes, I may notice a nice looking guy, but that’s about it.

SB: So if you do notice a good-looking guy, why don’t you choose to do anything about it? Why can you not imagine yourself with any of the boys in your classes?

SO: I choose to keep relationships out of college, because I wouldn't want to be with my boyfriend 24/7. I also count some of the boys in my classes as brothers and most of them I am taller than, so that is a definite no, no.

SB: Did you ever doubt the course you were on? Or wish to change? What advice would you give a new student about this?

SO: Yes at first because the classes were all over the place and not really how I had imagined. I would say to stick with the course for a while and see how it goes, if you really hate it and can’t stand another minute, then talk to a member of staff and see what help you could receive.

SO: Aim to be the best and feel comfortable and confident in yourself. Never feel you are above people, hang around with the right crowd, visit the library from time to time and just enjoy yourself.``

So there we have it, remember that everyone has to be a newbie at one point or another and the best way to find out what being a newbie is all about is to ask other students. If you still feel nervous, then you can also find out more from the college, sixth form or uni you plan to go to.

Comments (1)

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Bullying and boy-trouble
written by Lim K.S, November 12, 2007

I can't believe bullying and boy-trouble still happen at college. Aren't college students more mature and civilized. Do law college students act the same too?

What a bad role model college students would be to a society if this continues. I like the way you deal with boys. You like him, but that doesn't mean you own him (24/7)

Thanks a lot for this article.

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