Small, boring and cliquey: why I will miss the University of Dork
I reckon that I’m probably in the minority when I say that I’ve found finishing my degree to be a profoundly depressing experience. It’s down to various reasons, not least the fact that while I had work to do, there was a routine to my life, and I feel rather bereft without it: I woke up the day after I’d handed in the last of my assessed work and couldn’t quite accept the idea that I had nothing to do.
Still, it’s been a few weeks, and somehow I’ve managed to fill my time. Our washing machine has, helpfully enough, chosen the height of summer to collapse into disrepair, so I’ve managed to kill a few hours washing things by hand. I tried doing some baking, and, having got through three separate cake recipes, I reckon I’m pretty much set for life.
(Besides, while home baking is very nice and all, nothing really beats that straight-from-the-cellophane taste, as far as I’m concerned. Also, there’s considerably less risk of salmonella poisoning that way, and the overall presentation tends to be a lot better.) As I write this, the Queen’s tennis tournament is on the television, so Wimbledon is just around the corner, ready to eat up my time. And I’ve been reading, a lot. After three years of an English degree, I can’t quite bear the thought of anything academic (not for the moment, anyway), so, having had a period of concentrating on rubbish romantic fiction, I’ve now started on crime novels. Pathetically enough, a couple of them have really freaked me out. But I’m toughening up.
I’ve found in the past years that students are very quick to complain about York
Keeping myself occupied hasn’t stopped me feeling depressed, though, because I’m going to miss being a student. Again, I’m probably in the minority, but I’ve actually found a lot of the modules I’ve done to be genuinely interesting (and apologies to anyone who’s ever had the misfortune to be in a seminar group with me). A lot of people seem to think that an English degree is a waste of three years, and most of the time I can’t be bothered to argue with them. However, since the beauty of writing this column means that I don’t have to listen to anyone that disagrees with me, here’s my view on it: transferable skills and vocations and all the rest aside, my degree’s been brilliant. I reckon I’ve read at least one thing a term that I’ve really enjoyed and would otherwise never have come across, so, at the very least, I have a good idea of what kind of books to read – and which to avoid – for the rest of my life. Which, if you’re me, is invaluable.
Anyway, being a student is, generally, quite a privilege. It’s not just the discounts, and the freedom to make your own schedule (when, in the future, am I ever going to be able to watch all of the Wimbledon matches?); without wanting to sound like an advert for the Students’ Union, university gives you the chance to take up all manner of bizarre activities, and to pursue whatever interests you personally. And, of course, you meet a lot of people. I don’t know, maybe I’m just seeing everything in a warm nostalgic glow before I’ve even left, but it seems to me that studenthood is a pretty good stage in life.
I won’t only miss being a student. I will also – and I’m almost certain that I’m in the minority this time – miss York, as a place to live. This is something of a sweeping generalisation, but what I’ve found in the past three years is that York students are very keen to complain about York. It’s too small, too provincial, the shopping and night life are laughable, there’s nothing to do; the university itself is too small, there aren’t enough students, it’s too boring. We’re the University of Dork and it’s almost shameful to be here. Especially as we’re so bad at University Challenge.
I don’t think any of it’s true. Admittedly, I spent my entire adolescence living in the middle of nowhere, with Perth as the nearest centre of civilisation, so anywhere would seem exotic after that. But I can see some disadvantages to the city and university. Yes, there are too many tourists, and yes, it rains a lot.
We’re the University of Dork and it’s almost shameful to be here.
As far as I can see, there are too many cyclists intent on mowing down pedestrians (but, in fairness, they might just be aiming for me, so I’ll let that complaint go). The campus isn’t exactly beautiful, the geese can be, to put it politely, hostile, and some of the accommodation leaves a lot to be desired. Also, speaking as someone who’s never had, or wanted to have, any involvement in student politics at all, I’d say that the SU and the JCRCs are cliquey and quite far removed from the majority of actual students.
None of that matters too much, though. I still think that the city is lovely. I mean, if you want to live relatively cheaply in a place where the crime rate’s not that bad, you could do a lot worse than coming to York. Especially if you want to come to a university that ranks in the country’s top ten overall. Personally, I’m not bothered by the night life issue, because I’m too lazy to go out, and as for shops, well, there are more than enough bookshops to keep me happy. So yes, I’m going to miss York; all in all, it provides rather a good deal for a university. But I won’t miss the negativity about it.
Julie Jones
Just wanted to say that I fully agree with everything that you said. I too am guilty of whinging on about York during the three years of being there and even had homesickness each time I went back after holidays at home but now it’s gone guess where I have home sickness for now? Maybe it isn’t the worlds most vibrant and active city but I loved it. My advice to anyone lucky enough to be living in the gorgeous city of York would be to appreciate what you have whilst you’re still there. I’d give anything to be able to live there again. Julie x