The role of Colleges in my Uni experience
by Dan Miller
Hi, I’m Dan. I study Criminology at Lancaster University. After completing my undergraduate degree in Criminology (BA), I am currently doing postgraduate study in Criminology and Social Research Methods (MSc). In this blog, I talk about the role of the colleges in my Uni experience, including what colleges are, what they do, and how you can make the most of your college.
What are colleges?
This is a question I am often asked by both prospective students and those who have accepted their offer to study. I’ll stick with the short answer! Lancaster is a collegiate university, one of only six in the United Kingdom. Colleges are often described as the heart of Lancaster University, a ‘community within a community’. We have nine colleges in total: Bowland, Cartmel, County, Furness, Fylde, Grizedale, Lonsdale, and Pendle, in addition to a Graduate College for postgraduate study. Everyone – students and staff – belong to a college. It’s basically budget Hogwarts…
What do colleges do?
When you arrive at Lancaster, the first place you’ll go to is your college, and the people in your college are likely to be the first people you meet! This is partly because, along with the Students’ Union (SU), colleges are responsible for organising Welcome Week (often referred to as ‘Freshers’ Week). Indeed, the Colleges and the SU put on loads of events for their students, from Winter Ball to our big end-of-year Extravaganza parties, also known as ‘Extravs’. You can check out the advert for Fylde College’s latest Extrav, with a prison escape theme. The colleges certainly have a social side. Each college also has its own bar, offering things such as food, drinks, and bar sports. It is also worth mentioning that there are loads of events that don’t involve drinking. For example, I once visited an exotic petting zoo with my college!
Furthermore, if you choose to live on campus, you’ll live in college accommodation. Each college has their own accommodation manager, so if you have any problems, you can always get in touch with them.
Each college also has a porter. Their role includes anything from giving you your Amazon parcels, to first aid – but just as importantly, they’re a friendly face to have a chat and a cup of tea with if you’re finding things difficult.
Indeed, for me, one of the most important things colleges do is support students. For example, every college has a college manager and a College Advisor Team. Uni isn’t always easy, and if you have any difficulties, from feeling homesick to money worries, you can drop them an email and they’ll help advise you and point you in the right direction.
