Josh

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What attracted you to the University of Edinburgh and this programme, in particular? 

As the home of several libraries, museums and government buildings containing the word ‘national’, Edinburgh was a great fit for someone seeking to understand Scottish history and politics. The departments and libraries at the University stood out to me as exciting opportunities to join an experienced and well-resourced learning community.

What do you wish you'd worried about less about coming to university?

Growing up in a semi-rural setting made me apprehensive about finding my way around a city like Edinburgh. So many streets, so many people, so many everything. Edinburgh is much more manageable than I thought it would be, and there’s usually something interesting to see if you do get lost (intentionally or otherwise) in the city centre.

What one thing would you recommend new students at the University of Edinburgh do?

Join the History Society! Or, more seriously, any society. Edinburgh is a big university, so finding your people can seem an impossible task.

Societies are a great way to meet like-minded people and build a circle of friends. With so many to choose from, societies allow you to pursue existing interests or find new ones. If you like History, then I know a good society for that…

Any student wisdom you'd like to pass on?

Form a routine and stick to it. That includes consistent sleep patterns. Setting boundaries for study and leisure makes time management more meaningful and helps to reserve time for the things which matter most to you.

What do you most like about studying here?      

Being in the William Robertson Wing (HCA’s part of the Old Medical School) never gets old. The Student Research Room and UG Common Room are calming and productive spaces to be in. Meeting familiar faces in the central stairway makes me feel part of a School community, which provides motivation to give something back in return.

What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about your programme?

Academic reading is something I continue to find challenging. When there’s so much material out there, deciding where to begin and what’s important can be a really daunting process. I’m still learning, but I’d like to think I’ve improved since I started my degree programme.

Undertaking research gets me out of bed in the morning. Despite my worries about knowing what and how to read, accessing and unpicking material for an essay can be exciting and fulfilling, especially when you feel you’ve cracked a puzzle which has been bothering you.

What's a 'must do' at the University of Edinburgh?

Take a walk through George Square Gardens and watch possibly the world’s most industrious squirrels scurrying around the trees and bushes. On a fine day, I might sit on a bench and enjoy lunch with far more entertainment there than scrolling through Twitter indoors. Despite its centrality, George Square Gardens is one of the University’s best-kept secrets.

What is your favourite course so far and why?

I’ve enjoyed many courses in HCA, but I confess that my favourite was in LLC. I took a few electives in Celtic in my first two years and loved them. The subject matter was fascinating and the teaching staff were welcoming and supportive, particularly of someone like me coming from ‘outside’ the department. Taking a step out of the discipline most familiar to me has given me fresh ideas for studying History.

Where is your favourite place to study?

The Student Research Room over the top two floors in the William Robertson Wing has received my praises in a previous response, but no harm in singing them again. The skylight brings in some welcome natural light and the collections provide convenient access to books in a space which helps me to get on and study.

What are your tips for student life in Edinburgh?

Enjoy every minute of what you do, but stop doing it when you stop enjoying it. Learn from your mistakes – and you will make mistakes – but don’t let a lower mark bring you down, when you can make the next one even better. Make time to see the city and remember that the world is much bigger than the four walls of a bedroom.

How is your programme equipping you for your future career?

Considering my ‘plan’ – if it’s possible to have a plan – is to stay in universities beyond my current degree programme, Edinburgh is helping me to develop valuable research skills and to manage my studies alongside other commitments, including part-time work and extracurricular activities. I’m learning from people in whose footsteps I’d wish to follow, so I’ll absorb as much as I can!

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of studying at the University of Edinburgh?

Go for it! There’s no harm in applying. I never expected to study at Edinburgh, but that opportunity wouldn’t have been there had I not applied. Explore the possibility and consider whether it’s best for you.