Surprise! as we plan to develop this into a Student led blog, we thought of starting that journey by inviting our newbie UWLites to share their first impressions. Lets hear it from them and hear it for them!
Hi, my self Azaam Kamil, first year student BA(Hons) Business Studies. I have lived in the UAE for almost 9 years, Did my schooling in India International School Sharjah from six to twelve So, the first day at the University of West London branch campus (RAK) was amazing. Unfortunately it was virtual due to the ongoing situation. All the professors and the academic staff are excellently talented and very helpful and to be honest being a Sri Lankan I am proud that I can study in this prestigious University. For that I must thank my parents and almighty Allah for giving me the chance.
Next comes the fellow classmates who are super friendly, and they are always helpful whenever I need their help and I happy for it. The best thing I love about my University is that the professors always encourage all students and motivate all of them. In Sha Allah hope to see all the professors and my fellow classmate soon.
Azaam Kamil–BA (Hons) Business Studies, First year student
Hello everyone,
I wanted to share how my adventurous journey has been from being a school student to a university student. I graduated from the Sharjah Indian School. At school we were always spoon-fed everything, we didn’t know much about learning independently.
For the past 2 years, my dream was to become an interior designer, but when I grew up, I saw things from a different perspective and I realized that while some dreams are not fulfilled because of issues some have to be dropped based on existing situations.
My parents and family always wanted me to do something in the IT field and I was genuinely not interested because I had something planned in my mind. After understanding the way how life actually goes on, I chose this field, and I frankly don’t regret it! I joined UWL on the 10th of October and I was very afraid because I knew I had missed a week. I was tense about how teachers would react, how I would face the other class mates and everything! But the next day I was shocked as my teachers were so friendly. They gave me a very warm welcome and I even made friends who helped me learn the older sessions.
Some main lessons I learnt from this experience was that firstly we must listen to our parents because they have seen and experienced life better than us. Secondly if a person has interest and will power nothing will be impossible.
I really enjoyed my first week and can’t wait to have many more!! All the productive classes, fun assignments and obviously some brain storming assessments. I feel like I am enjoying and getting to know more about myself here at UWL. Thank you for this opportunity!
Hanan Saleh- BSC (Hons) Computer Science, First year student
Catching the bus. Going to campus with my new laptop bag, new clothes and whatnot. Reaching there and being greeted with new faces among some familiar ones. Overcoming the initial awkwardness and getting to know everyone…. Ever since high school, this was sort of how I expected my first day of university to go. Well, little did I know.
Although my dreams of strutting on campus was ruined due to the pandemic, looking on the brighter side, I would like to describe my first day of university as “unique” because I do not know anyone else who had their first day (and the coming days, for that matter) completely online. Of course, I had a lot of concerns prior to the classes. Would I be able to concentrate during class as well as I would do face-to-face? Would the workload double now that we would be staying at home 24/7? Would I be able to make friends before on-site classes begin? What would I do with the five new pairs of shoes I bought a month ago? All these questions and more, constantly buzzed around in my head until Induction Day came around.
Getting introduced to the professors and the system of how things would work out in this new setting made me think that maybe this whole situation wouldn’t be that bad, after all. Soon enough, classes rolled around and thanks to social media, we all got to know each other little by little. Although waking up minutes before class and jumping right into the day isn’t all that bad, going to campus and meeting everyone face-to-face definitely seems more appealing. However, as our health and well-being come first, I will be here making the most out of these classes (read mid-class snacking) until things get better.
Khadeeja Amna- B.SC (Hons) Computer Science, First year student
My first week of university was pretty normal, nothing like expected due to the covid-19 outbreak. I had expected my first week of university to be nerve-racking and exciting at the same time. Though the online classes helped with my nerves, I missed the thrill of being in a new environment, to get to know my new batch mates, teachers, exploring and getting lost in the new campus.
I am looking forward to an actual first week of university once the campus is open for students, I am thankful for getting the opportunity to study even if it is online. I have no doubt in my mind that my first day on campus is going to be everything like I am expecting.
Maryam Ajmal- B.SC (Hons) Computer Science, First year student
