Student Fact Files
Through the lens of your UO Community, find out how five students make room to focus. They give tips on being your most productive self and share questions to break the ice with new flatmates and friends…
Name: Tom
Age: 20
Star sign: Gemini
Studying: Starting Fashion and Design at city of Bristol college in September
Accommodation type: Social Housing
Career aspirations: I dream of becoming a fashion designer, I've got an absolute passion for it. I'm really interested in the whole design world and I really want to go into the fashion industry. I really want to make my mark on the fashion world, you know
Go-to snack: Sushi if I'm not making it. If I am, chocolate and plenty of it
Song currently on repeat: My Red Hot Car by Squarepusher
Random fact about me: My lung collapsed in the middle of a GCSE English lesson. Everyone thought it was indigestion but nah mate, my lung collapsed
Advice you’d give to your younger self… make sure you study something you're passionate about. Knuckle down and do it, and if you have any urges to go out and party, don't let it overtake you. Especially when you're living in a big city, that can really overtake you and sometimes you need to make sure you're in the right headspace. If you're going to, embark on a course otherwise you're wasting yours and everyone’s time
One thing that surprised you about your course?
How many people don't go to lectures. They're paying all this money, and they don't even go to the lectures, and it's like, what are you doing? Turn up, go to class!
Don’t go to uni without… the expectation that you're going to be meeting a lot of new people and sometimes that can be daunting. The best attitude to have towards it is knowing it’s often a fresh start for people, it can be stressful being thrown into big social situations. If you get past the first week, you can make some of the best friends you'll ever have and find your people
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Mixture of budgeting, cooking and feeding myself properly. I spent a lot of my savings on takeaways in the first few months, which was stupid and silly. Get a good cooking book and learn some recipes. Simple stuff like beans on toast is actually healthy, so you shouldn't feel bad about eating stuff like that. Students eat badly at the end of the day, everyone lives off ramen
What have you already ticked off the UO Uni Checklist?
Definitely lots of storage and cool lighting for when you're hanging out in your room. If you want to do some studying you need to get a cool light or lamp as it always makes your room look nicer. I like music, so get a good speaker, even a portable one which you can then take out to see your friends
Tips for getting to know your housemates?
Playing games, board games and silly games like Cards Against Humanity
How do you stay connected?
I don't like texting, I absolutely hate it with the way my brain works, but I love calling, so I'll always call people up. And I always reach out to people online with the intention of meeting them in person as I like to communicate verbally
Advice on finding your people… use the internet because it will tell you events that are on. Whether it’s fashion, music, art or cooking, there'll be cooking classes or theatre shows or any kind of culture that you might like. Even if it's not exactly your cup of tea, you'll get to meet friendly people and might find something that's a lot more specialised towards you
How do you make room to focus?
I make room to focus through compartmentalising my house. I've got my shelf sticking out to split up my bed from my wardrobe so I have to get out of bed to choose an outfit. I stay motivated as well by getting out of bed and wearing a fun outfit. I've got my work area which is part of my living room area, but not in my bedroom, I don't like keeping my desk in my bedroom
How would your friends describe your living style?
Probably extremely chaotic, but there's an order to the chaos
How do you make your space your own?
Making it completely bright and colourful. I'm not a big fan of minimalistic homes, I like colourful stuff and try to make my space as motivating as possible
What makes your room unique to you?
It’s got lots of personal sentiments in it. There’s lots of rave posters that I've been to or artwork made by either me or my friends. It’s full of CDs and books that I've carried with me, some even from when I was fiveWhat does the word ‘chance’ mean to you?
If you don't attempt to do something you haven't really got a chance. So, give yourself a chance as you’re not gonna get anywhere if you don't try
Age: 20
Star sign: Gemini
Studying: Starting Fashion and Design at city of Bristol college in September
Accommodation type: Social Housing
Career aspirations: I dream of becoming a fashion designer, I've got an absolute passion for it. I'm really interested in the whole design world and I really want to go into the fashion industry. I really want to make my mark on the fashion world, you know
Go-to snack: Sushi if I'm not making it. If I am, chocolate and plenty of it
Song currently on repeat: My Red Hot Car by Squarepusher
Random fact about me: My lung collapsed in the middle of a GCSE English lesson. Everyone thought it was indigestion but nah mate, my lung collapsed
Advice you’d give to your younger self… make sure you study something you're passionate about. Knuckle down and do it, and if you have any urges to go out and party, don't let it overtake you. Especially when you're living in a big city, that can really overtake you and sometimes you need to make sure you're in the right headspace. If you're going to, embark on a course otherwise you're wasting yours and everyone’s time
One thing that surprised you about your course?
How many people don't go to lectures. They're paying all this money, and they don't even go to the lectures, and it's like, what are you doing? Turn up, go to class!
Don’t go to uni without… the expectation that you're going to be meeting a lot of new people and sometimes that can be daunting. The best attitude to have towards it is knowing it’s often a fresh start for people, it can be stressful being thrown into big social situations. If you get past the first week, you can make some of the best friends you'll ever have and find your people
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Mixture of budgeting, cooking and feeding myself properly. I spent a lot of my savings on takeaways in the first few months, which was stupid and silly. Get a good cooking book and learn some recipes. Simple stuff like beans on toast is actually healthy, so you shouldn't feel bad about eating stuff like that. Students eat badly at the end of the day, everyone lives off ramen
What have you already ticked off the UO Uni Checklist?
Definitely lots of storage and cool lighting for when you're hanging out in your room. If you want to do some studying you need to get a cool light or lamp as it always makes your room look nicer. I like music, so get a good speaker, even a portable one which you can then take out to see your friends
Tips for getting to know your housemates?
Playing games, board games and silly games like Cards Against Humanity
How do you stay connected?
I don't like texting, I absolutely hate it with the way my brain works, but I love calling, so I'll always call people up. And I always reach out to people online with the intention of meeting them in person as I like to communicate verbally
Advice on finding your people… use the internet because it will tell you events that are on. Whether it’s fashion, music, art or cooking, there'll be cooking classes or theatre shows or any kind of culture that you might like. Even if it's not exactly your cup of tea, you'll get to meet friendly people and might find something that's a lot more specialised towards you
How do you make room to focus?
I make room to focus through compartmentalising my house. I've got my shelf sticking out to split up my bed from my wardrobe so I have to get out of bed to choose an outfit. I stay motivated as well by getting out of bed and wearing a fun outfit. I've got my work area which is part of my living room area, but not in my bedroom, I don't like keeping my desk in my bedroom
How would your friends describe your living style?
Probably extremely chaotic, but there's an order to the chaos
How do you make your space your own?
Making it completely bright and colourful. I'm not a big fan of minimalistic homes, I like colourful stuff and try to make my space as motivating as possible
What makes your room unique to you?
It’s got lots of personal sentiments in it. There’s lots of rave posters that I've been to or artwork made by either me or my friends. It’s full of CDs and books that I've carried with me, some even from when I was fiveWhat does the word ‘chance’ mean to you?
If you don't attempt to do something you haven't really got a chance. So, give yourself a chance as you’re not gonna get anywhere if you don't try
Name: Veronique
Age: 21
Star sign: Virgo
Uni/studying: Fashion at Ravensbourne
Accommodation type: Student Halls
Career aspirations: Creative Director’s Assistant
Go-to snack: Brioche
Song currently on repeat: Bad Habits - Steve Lacy
Random fact about me: I used to street dance when I was younger
How would your flatmates describe your living style?
I’m very neat in the kitchen, but my room is pretty much the opposite
Advice you’d give to 1st year you… would be to stop procrastinating and just get on with work. You can have fun, but make sure you get the grades
One thing that surprised you about Uni?
How many connections I could make within the fashion industry
Don’t go to uni without… without a Mac laptop
What have you already ticked off the UO Uni Checklist?
Printed bedding, sneaker poster & shoe rack
Best icebreaker question?
What do you watch on Netflix? And also what’s your Netflix password?
What do you do to keep focused?
I put some tunes on, have a couple snacks near me and just zone out
How do you stay connected?
By talking to my parents on WhatsApp and inviting them over to the cinema room
What do you love about your course?
The thing I love about my course is pattern cutting the shapes that you can create - it's very flattering as well
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Presenting to my tutors but as the year has gone on I’ve gained much more confidence
How do you make your space your own?
Having my stuff out like my sewing machine just in case I need to sew something quickly, and my posters as well
Advice on finding your people… is talk to them during lunch breaks and find out if you have similar tastes
What does the word ‘chance’ mean to you?
The opportunity to succeed and become your better self
Age: 21
Star sign: Virgo
Uni/studying: Fashion at Ravensbourne
Accommodation type: Student Halls
Career aspirations: Creative Director’s Assistant
Go-to snack: Brioche
Song currently on repeat: Bad Habits - Steve Lacy
Random fact about me: I used to street dance when I was younger
How would your flatmates describe your living style?
I’m very neat in the kitchen, but my room is pretty much the opposite
Advice you’d give to 1st year you… would be to stop procrastinating and just get on with work. You can have fun, but make sure you get the grades
One thing that surprised you about Uni?
How many connections I could make within the fashion industry
Don’t go to uni without… without a Mac laptop
What have you already ticked off the UO Uni Checklist?
Printed bedding, sneaker poster & shoe rack
Best icebreaker question?
What do you watch on Netflix? And also what’s your Netflix password?
What do you do to keep focused?
I put some tunes on, have a couple snacks near me and just zone out
How do you stay connected?
By talking to my parents on WhatsApp and inviting them over to the cinema room
What do you love about your course?
The thing I love about my course is pattern cutting the shapes that you can create - it's very flattering as well
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Presenting to my tutors but as the year has gone on I’ve gained much more confidence
How do you make your space your own?
Having my stuff out like my sewing machine just in case I need to sew something quickly, and my posters as well
Advice on finding your people… is talk to them during lunch breaks and find out if you have similar tastes
What does the word ‘chance’ mean to you?
The opportunity to succeed and become your better self
Name: Anais
Age: 21
Star sign: Virgo
Studying: Media Makeup and Nail Technology at Crosskeys College
Accommodation type: Parents’ house
Career aspirations: Work for myself doing mobile nails and makeup, or one day have my own studio
Go-to snack: Granola & fruit
Song currently on repeat: Satellite by Harry Styles
Random fact about me: I was a professional Latin and ballroom dancer and danced for Team GB in Latin dancing
Advice you’d give to your younger self… be open minded with the modules you study. I closed off SFX makeup, because I just thought I'd never want to do that in the future. I was more fashion editorial based in makeup, but SFX is definitely a good skill to have
What do you love about your course?
Everything is so creative! In makeup, there's a lot of creative briefs from costume design to makeup design and nails
One thing that surprised you about your course?
The level of education and opportunity for free education. There's a lot of small courses on the side that you can do, which gives you a lot of experience and skills to have under your belt
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Meeting deadlines as there’s lots of assignments and coursework, plus makeup deadlines as well
Don’t go to uni without… aspirations
Best icebreaker question?
Take interest in other people and ask them what they plan to do after the course
How do you stay connected?
Taking time out of my days for my friends, making sure that I separate study and my spare time
Advice on finding your people… go for those who have similar interests and lifestyles. For example, I like to do yoga and found friends who want to spend time together doing it too
How do you make room to focus?
By putting my phone away and taking time away from social media. Plus, I get up first thing, make my bed and then I don't get back in it.
How would your family describe your living style?
My family would describe my living style as pretty tidy and I pull my weight around the house. I wash the dishes and hoover the stairs, I really help out so I'm a good team player
How do you make your space your own?
I always start with a blank canvas and build up from there. I love to decorate to show my personality with a lot of colour and I like a lot going on on the walls. It makes my room feel more homely and more me
What makes your room unique to you?
I have a lot of my work on display, from makeup moodboards to face charts for when I do makeup, and my nail stuff out on the side
Describe your space in three words… creative, colourful and unique
What does the word ‘chance’ mean to you?
If you feel like doing something, then just go for it!
Age: 21
Star sign: Virgo
Studying: Media Makeup and Nail Technology at Crosskeys College
Accommodation type: Parents’ house
Career aspirations: Work for myself doing mobile nails and makeup, or one day have my own studio
Go-to snack: Granola & fruit
Song currently on repeat: Satellite by Harry Styles
Random fact about me: I was a professional Latin and ballroom dancer and danced for Team GB in Latin dancing
Advice you’d give to your younger self… be open minded with the modules you study. I closed off SFX makeup, because I just thought I'd never want to do that in the future. I was more fashion editorial based in makeup, but SFX is definitely a good skill to have
What do you love about your course?
Everything is so creative! In makeup, there's a lot of creative briefs from costume design to makeup design and nails
One thing that surprised you about your course?
The level of education and opportunity for free education. There's a lot of small courses on the side that you can do, which gives you a lot of experience and skills to have under your belt
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Meeting deadlines as there’s lots of assignments and coursework, plus makeup deadlines as well
Don’t go to uni without… aspirations
Best icebreaker question?
Take interest in other people and ask them what they plan to do after the course
How do you stay connected?
Taking time out of my days for my friends, making sure that I separate study and my spare time
Advice on finding your people… go for those who have similar interests and lifestyles. For example, I like to do yoga and found friends who want to spend time together doing it too
How do you make room to focus?
By putting my phone away and taking time away from social media. Plus, I get up first thing, make my bed and then I don't get back in it.
How would your family describe your living style?
My family would describe my living style as pretty tidy and I pull my weight around the house. I wash the dishes and hoover the stairs, I really help out so I'm a good team player
How do you make your space your own?
I always start with a blank canvas and build up from there. I love to decorate to show my personality with a lot of colour and I like a lot going on on the walls. It makes my room feel more homely and more me
What makes your room unique to you?
I have a lot of my work on display, from makeup moodboards to face charts for when I do makeup, and my nail stuff out on the side
Describe your space in three words… creative, colourful and unique
What does the word ‘chance’ mean to you?
If you feel like doing something, then just go for it!
Name: Brynmor
Age: 25
Star sign: Leo
Uni/studying: MSc in Digital Sociology at University of Glasgow
Accommodation type: Flatshare
Career aspirations: I have no idea to be honest! I would like to do a PhD at some point, but academia is very hard. You need perseverance, but also life experience as well, which I'd like to do before I apply to do a PhD in the future
Go-to snack: I’m a bit of an egg guy. I’ll make different kinds of eggs just to spice things up and I’m pretty confident in my egg cooking abilities. From poached, scrambled, or fried egg sandwiches, I’m also a big fan of egg bagels
Song currently on repeat: Fistful of Love by Antony and the Johnsons.
Random fact about me: I was really lucky and lived in Amsterdam for 9 months because of a programme called Erasmus, which is an EU-funded programme that gave me money to work and study abroad. It was amazing because I've studied with people from all different cultures and countries; it really broadened my horizons to go abroad and learn about myself as well as going into an unknown territory. It made me a more confident person as when I entered new environments, I had experience to back myself
Advice you’d give 1st year you is… put yourself out there as much as you can. Your instinct might be to hold back but you've got to fight against your instincts and put yourself in environments where you're not always comfortable
What do you love about your course?
Doing a master's course has given me more of an idea of my research interests. It allows me to dig deeper into what I'm interested in already
One thing that surprised you about Uni?
The different kinds of economic backgrounds people come from. It made me more proud of where I'm from and happy about the kind of friends that I have and the values of the people that I surround myself with
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Balancing the workload that I've had. When you do a masters, the world's a bit more intense than undergrad but it’s also important to maintain a social life. So I make sure I’m still seeing people and also knuckling down and working when I need to
Don’t go to uni without… courage. It's really important to put yourself out there and have the courage to say hi to someone that you want to be friends with. Say hi to people in your class so you get to know them and start conversations because you never know whether it could grow into genuine friendship
What have you already ticked off the UO Uni Checklist?
A daily planner because they're really handy as you can compartmentalise your day
Tips for getting to know your housemates and best ice breaker question?
Knowing how they like their tea and how they like their coffee. It’s such a basic thing but it means so much
How do you stay connected?
FaceTime my parents, probably more than I'd like to admit. Then when you see them in real life, you're actually surprised because you don't feel like you missed them that much
Advice on finding your people… is to get a job in a place you would go as a customer. I found my community at Urban Outfitters in Cardiff and Glasgow, as well as in Amsterdam. I know that the kind of people I typically work with are the kind of people that I would get on with
How do you make room to focus?
Using the Pomodoro Technique - it’s a time management method involving 25 minutes of focused work split up by five minute breaks
How would your flatmates describe your living style?
Very relaxed, we’re often on the same wavelength so I think we work well together
How do you make your space your own?
Buying timeless pieces, because I know my tastes by now. If I buy something, I hope to use it for a long time
What makes your room unique to you?
I know creative people and if they can make something for me, that's amazing
Describe your space in three words… timeless, minimal and clean
What does the word ‘chance’ mean to you?
Making opportunities for yourself. That's something that I've learnt is that opportunities don't come to you, you kind of have to persevere and seek them yourself
Age: 25
Star sign: Leo
Uni/studying: MSc in Digital Sociology at University of Glasgow
Accommodation type: Flatshare
Career aspirations: I have no idea to be honest! I would like to do a PhD at some point, but academia is very hard. You need perseverance, but also life experience as well, which I'd like to do before I apply to do a PhD in the future
Go-to snack: I’m a bit of an egg guy. I’ll make different kinds of eggs just to spice things up and I’m pretty confident in my egg cooking abilities. From poached, scrambled, or fried egg sandwiches, I’m also a big fan of egg bagels
Song currently on repeat: Fistful of Love by Antony and the Johnsons.
Random fact about me: I was really lucky and lived in Amsterdam for 9 months because of a programme called Erasmus, which is an EU-funded programme that gave me money to work and study abroad. It was amazing because I've studied with people from all different cultures and countries; it really broadened my horizons to go abroad and learn about myself as well as going into an unknown territory. It made me a more confident person as when I entered new environments, I had experience to back myself
Advice you’d give 1st year you is… put yourself out there as much as you can. Your instinct might be to hold back but you've got to fight against your instincts and put yourself in environments where you're not always comfortable
What do you love about your course?
Doing a master's course has given me more of an idea of my research interests. It allows me to dig deeper into what I'm interested in already
One thing that surprised you about Uni?
The different kinds of economic backgrounds people come from. It made me more proud of where I'm from and happy about the kind of friends that I have and the values of the people that I surround myself with
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Balancing the workload that I've had. When you do a masters, the world's a bit more intense than undergrad but it’s also important to maintain a social life. So I make sure I’m still seeing people and also knuckling down and working when I need to
Don’t go to uni without… courage. It's really important to put yourself out there and have the courage to say hi to someone that you want to be friends with. Say hi to people in your class so you get to know them and start conversations because you never know whether it could grow into genuine friendship
What have you already ticked off the UO Uni Checklist?
A daily planner because they're really handy as you can compartmentalise your day
Tips for getting to know your housemates and best ice breaker question?
Knowing how they like their tea and how they like their coffee. It’s such a basic thing but it means so much
How do you stay connected?
FaceTime my parents, probably more than I'd like to admit. Then when you see them in real life, you're actually surprised because you don't feel like you missed them that much
Advice on finding your people… is to get a job in a place you would go as a customer. I found my community at Urban Outfitters in Cardiff and Glasgow, as well as in Amsterdam. I know that the kind of people I typically work with are the kind of people that I would get on with
How do you make room to focus?
Using the Pomodoro Technique - it’s a time management method involving 25 minutes of focused work split up by five minute breaks
How would your flatmates describe your living style?
Very relaxed, we’re often on the same wavelength so I think we work well together
How do you make your space your own?
Buying timeless pieces, because I know my tastes by now. If I buy something, I hope to use it for a long time
What makes your room unique to you?
I know creative people and if they can make something for me, that's amazing
Describe your space in three words… timeless, minimal and clean
What does the word ‘chance’ mean to you?
Making opportunities for yourself. That's something that I've learnt is that opportunities don't come to you, you kind of have to persevere and seek them yourself
Name: Julia
Age: 19
Star sign: Cancer
Uni/studying: Fashion Business at Manchester Metropolitan University
Accommodation type: Student Halls
Career aspirations: Marketing
Go-to snack: Chocolate rice cakes - best of both worlds!
Song currently on repeat: Just A Girl by No Doubt
Random fact about me: I was born in Poland and I’ve been on a plane more than 50 times to visit family
Advice you’d give to 1st year you… is take as many opportunities as possible. I regret not saying yes to every night out
What do you love about your course?
How much freedom I have to choose whatever I want to do later on
One thing that surprised you about Uni?
Nobody knows what they're doing!
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Trying to find those people that I want to build lasting relationships with, even outside of uni
Don’t go to uni without… a bottle opener
What have you already ticked off the UO Uni Checklist?
Unique bedding and storage crates
Tips for getting to know your housemates?
Bring card games and play them before a night out
How do you stay connected?
Go for a pint in Courtyard (student bar)
Advice on finding your people is… try something new, because you never know what you like
How do you make room to focus?
I surround myself with smells that I really like. It keeps me really focused and it keeps you quite calm
How would your flatmates describe your living style?
Always cooking and smelling up the kitchen, but also feeding everybody so they can't complain
How do you make your space your own?
Putting up memories of photos and stuff that inspires me
What makes your room unique to you?
Displaying photos of my friends and family
Describe your space in three words… cosy, calm and cluttered
What does the word ‘chance’ mean to you?
Being given the opportunity to better yourself
Age: 19
Star sign: Cancer
Uni/studying: Fashion Business at Manchester Metropolitan University
Accommodation type: Student Halls
Career aspirations: Marketing
Go-to snack: Chocolate rice cakes - best of both worlds!
Song currently on repeat: Just A Girl by No Doubt
Random fact about me: I was born in Poland and I’ve been on a plane more than 50 times to visit family
Advice you’d give to 1st year you… is take as many opportunities as possible. I regret not saying yes to every night out
What do you love about your course?
How much freedom I have to choose whatever I want to do later on
One thing that surprised you about Uni?
Nobody knows what they're doing!
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Trying to find those people that I want to build lasting relationships with, even outside of uni
Don’t go to uni without… a bottle opener
What have you already ticked off the UO Uni Checklist?
Unique bedding and storage crates
Tips for getting to know your housemates?
Bring card games and play them before a night out
How do you stay connected?
Go for a pint in Courtyard (student bar)
Advice on finding your people is… try something new, because you never know what you like
How do you make room to focus?
I surround myself with smells that I really like. It keeps me really focused and it keeps you quite calm
How would your flatmates describe your living style?
Always cooking and smelling up the kitchen, but also feeding everybody so they can't complain
How do you make your space your own?
Putting up memories of photos and stuff that inspires me
What makes your room unique to you?
Displaying photos of my friends and family
Describe your space in three words… cosy, calm and cluttered
What does the word ‘chance’ mean to you?
Being given the opportunity to better yourself