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“Vini. Vidi. Vici.”
“I came. I saw. I conquered.”
A splendid motto which I will hereby adopt.

My wonderful friends have gone over this with me so thoroughly now that I am more than half convinced that this is going to sort out. I won’t go into details what it involves – confidential stuff (don’t fret, I’m not going to sell my body; not until I’ve grown a proper chest at least) – but I am blessed to have such supportive and honest friends by my side. I can’t stand it when people rub my back and lie openly to my face, even if it’s just meant as a soothing white lie to make me feel better. No, I’d rather have the harsh reality than some reassuring, empty half-lies designed to crush me in the end.

Thank you, all of you who left me kind words of honest encouragement in my last post — I was so down at the moment and didn’t know what to do. Thanks!

With a newly lit and flickering flame of hope, I am back to the spirited mood you probably are more familiar with! My initial plan was to study biomedicine, and then specialize further in genetics. I have gotten offers at all five universities, so there’s only the choosing and accepting of offer left. York and UEA (University of East Anglia) were the only two unis where I didn’t apply for biomedicine. If you would like to read in detail why I chose what university; go on. If you’d rather spare your eyes for a long post; jump to the conclusion!

• University of York: biochemistry

I love the fact that the biochemistry course at York includes tutoring groups of only four students, pluss two personal advisors from the faculty of chemistry and biology to monitor your academic progress, in addtion to the usual lectures and labworks. I’ve always been fond of intimate and close teaching methods, it reminds me of the ancient times when the student was directly tutored by a master of the field. A fat lot better than massive lectures where the professor doesn’t even recognize the faces of his students. York is also ranked in the top together with Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge) for biosciences, so there’s nothing to complain about when it comes to academic achievements! I really like their method of teaching, but I don’t care enough for the course to waste three years I could have spent more wisely. Although, it could be likely that I would grow to love the course with time. I had no idea that I was going to adore genetics when I first entered upper secondary/high school! Another downfall is that York the town feels unsettling and alien to me. Not a good sign.

• University of East Anglia: pharmacy

The course I applied for at UEA is MPharm (Masters of Pharmacy), which means I’ll be studying pharmacy for four years and then spend the fifth year working as a pre-reg pharmacist in Britain. UEA is more like the common university with lectures and labworks, although they do give us a supervisor – only that he or she will be more limited than York’s. But UEA on the other hand, felt like home. Wonderfully friendly, green and cosy, with a strong sense of community. Stationed in a former medieval town (Norwich) on its best terms with technology. A pleasant mix of the best of both worlds. It’s extremely important to me that I will feel well and comfortable, wherever I go. That feeling alone can surpass almost anything. After all, I am going to spend the next four years of my life there. And you know what, I haven’t forgotten about the academic part either — UEA is ranked 4th in The UK Times and 6th in The Guardian for pharmacy. Important and prestigious papers; they don’t write bullshit. I trust them, you probably can trust them too. Career opportunities once I return to Norway are excellent as well. Tution fees are higher than the other unis, probably due to the recent refurbishments in laboratories and accommodation.

• Essex, Queen Mary and Lancaster: biomedicine

The three other universities, where I applied for biomedicine, are Essex, Queen Mary of London and Lancaster. Essex was a downright dissappointment, I’ll spare you the details of my visit there. Queen Mary has a strong reputation internationally, and graduates their students with the fifth highest salary in UK. But being stationed in bustling London, it will be too expensive to attend. Lancaster was just a uni I dotted down to fill the empty space in the form. No intention of going there.

• CONCLUSION: UEA

I have thought thoroughly through this, and have decided to go to UEA despite their teaching methods and expensive tution fees. It’s a lovely and friendly campus with great facilities, and I can’t help but feel that UEA is a rising star with potential to do great things – I intend to be with them when that happens! But I do wish they had York’s goodwill to do smaller tuition groups.

What are your plans for college/university? Or perhaps you’re already in the midst of it?

Listening: Secret Garden – The Reel
Reading: City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments: Book Two) by Cassandra Clare (Am. fantasy)
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