Hi, I’m Gwendia, a final-year Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) student!

If you’ve opened this blog with a hundred questions and some anxieties about what’s to come, don’t worry. I hope that by the end of reading about my experience, you’ll feel just a little more at ease.

When I first arrived at Loughborough, I had a mixture of excitement, nerves, and about a dozen different to-do lists. Looking back now, I can honestly say that the famous Loughborough bubble is so much more than just “getting through your degree”; it’s about finding your footing, your voice, and your passion.

Settling in

Due to personal reasons, I arrived at my accommodation a week later than everyone else in my flat. In those first few days, I felt like everyone had already found and formed their friendship groups. The truth? Most people feel the same way, they just don’t show it.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, give it time. Attend the Freshers’ Bazaar, knock on your flatmates’ doors, or go to a few taster sessions for societies. One small thing that helped me a lot was getting a doorstop and keeping my door open (only if you feel safe and comfortable, of course!); it made it easier for people to pop in and say hi, and really helped me get to know my flatmates.

Don’t Be Afraid to Say “Yes”

Loughborough is full of opportunities for personal growth. I said “yes” to as many as I could and I’m so glad I did.

From joining societies to taking on leadership roles, I found that Loughborough genuinely values student voice and engagement. I started out as a Course Rep for PPE, and then applied to become a School Rep and Academic President. Through these roles, I had the chance to work closely with our academic faculty not just within my department but across the whole university! I gained real insight into how Loughborough operates, and proudly contributed to the positive changes in my department.

I also want to give a shout out to the Careers Network, an incredible resource for CV reviews, job prep, and career planning. One opportunity I particularly loved was the Micro-Internship scheme: a 50-hour, fully paid internship you can complete during term time. It gave me valuable experience without compromising my studies.

Additionally, if you are looking for a part time job on campus, I really recommend applying to be a student ambassador! It is very flexible, you can choose and pick the dates or activities that match your schedule. I was the course ambassador for International Relations, Politics and History (IRPH). Which basically means I helped out on open days, offer holder days and visit days.

Finding the Balance

I won’t sugar coat it: university is not easy. Between lectures, seminars, and independent study, the workload can add up fast if you don’t stay on top of it.

One piece of advice? Use office hours. Think of them as free one-to-one tutorials. Don’t wait until you’re in a panic the night before the deadline; your lecturers are incredibly supportive and genuinely want to help. There’s no medal for doing university the hard way!

The library is open for 24/7 during exam season, but the cafe isn’t. Therefore, if you decide to stay for longer, I would recommend you bring your own food. My top secret is cup noodles 🙂

A hidden gem I have to mention is the Morag Bell Building (next to Falk-Egg). It’s less busy than the library and perfect for studying. I’ll always remember the first day I spent there. I stayed nearly the whole day, and Maggie, one of our lovely programme administrators, made me a cup of tea before she left. That moment? It felt like home. The admin staff (Emilie, Rachel and Angie) and academic staff are truly wonderful, always up for a chat. I can promise you they are not as intimidating as you imagined them to be.

Finally…

When people say “make the most of university,” it’s easy to think it means doing everything. It doesn’t.

It means finding what’s right for you. Academically, socially, and emotionally.

For me, that meant being involved in the community, spending time with my friends, showing up to events (sometimes in very silly costumes), and wearing blue paint on my face all week. It also meant gradually learning that there’s no one “correct” way to do uni. Only your way. The version that leaves you feeling fulfilled.

Wherever you’re coming from, and wherever you’re hoping to go: Welcome to Loughborough. You’ve got this.