h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have just moved away from home for the first time to Edge Hill University College, Ormskirk, Lancashire. The University itself is very small (approximately 3,000 students), therefore, everything is on campus. This is advantageous because I only have to walk a little way down the road from the Halls Of Residence to get to the amenities. Subsequently, I can live the luxurious life of a student by crawling out of bed a 8.55am, after a night on the town, and arrive at my 'Early Childhood Studies' lecture just in time for the tutor to place a nice, large tick next to my name in the register to show that I turned up (now there's a first for a Thursday morning).

There is lots to do in and around Ormskirk, day or night, being so close the the cities of Manchester (my home town), Liverpool, and on a smaller scale, Preston. Activities available are usually advertised by the Student Union and range from trips to the big club events, such as Tokeyo Jo's, Preston, to organised 'gigs' by local bands in the Studient Union Bar.

If loud music and alchol does not appeal there is still loads happening, such as, sporting events on Tuesday evenings in our newly built sports complex or 'Switch Island', which offers a multi-screen cinema and ten-pin-bowling, just to name a few things. It's kicking down here!

But, life would be so much easier if I was living at home with my parents. Somebody to do my washing, ironing, cooking and cleaning. Four safe walls where I can seek love, warmth, and protection from three familiar faces, namely, Mum, Dad, and Sister. But then I ask myself, "what is the point of life if I can't live it on my own and be independant?" That is the question I ask the guide!

And there was me thinking Ormskirk was in Norway...

Know how you feel about the leaving home thing. Best antidote I found to it was burying myself in the University life - it took my mind off it until I'd got used to the idea of self-sufficiency.

Really? Which uni are you at?

Portsmouth

Ha! I knew that because I just found your user page and saw that you'd replied to 'My so called university life'. I take it you're doing drama then? I started A-level Theatre Studies and dropped it at the end of my first year. Glad I did though!

Glad you started it or glad you dropped it?

Boring as it may be, but I'm not a drama student. I'm studying architecture, which means I can still throw tantrums and dye my hair green as I'm classed as an Arts student, but I don't have to be as fit. I just happen to be in the society I've advertised on my page, though I'm not acting this year (too much work - I've stuck to just doing the advertising, website and programme). What does Early Childhood Studies with English lead you to becoming? A teacher?

To be honest, the reason I chose it was because it would keep my options open. I was accepted on to English QTS at Edge Hill to be a teacher but I decided that it was too early to commit myself to a specific career. Through Early Childhood Studies (because I'll have half an English degree) I will be able to carry on and do teaching but also I could do nursery nursing, social work or anything in the health sector. So we'll see how it goes. I take it you're not a first year. I could be wrong. Am I?

You're right. I'm a third year, though I have another two years of study and 24 months industrial placement after if I want to become an architect. Even at this late stage in my degree I'm still undecided on that one, though. I'm torn between architecture or web design. They both have their merits and disadvantages. I'm also fascinated by the work done by an organisation I do work for and would love a job there if they get the funding they deserve (it's a foundation promoting the development of innovative ideas - essentially an outlet for the professor in all of us, though it has rather grander ideas than that description gets across).

Teaching is a good career - I just happen to know a lot of teaching students! Also, both my parents are teachers (one of whom teaches Art, so I can't rib Arts students too much as she was one once...). Teachers, doctors, nurses etc. all deserve better from the Government, mind. And that doesn't mean more of the pointless gimicks that they're being saddled with presently.

How is the English degree split? Is it just, say, Literature? Or do you have electives ie. you get to choose, say, 12 out of 24 modules from the full degree?