By Lily Gregory, Senior Agony Aunt
The university has changed. You see, I did my undergraduate degree here at Royal Holloway and now I’m doing my masters degree. This is my fourth year here and honestly I’ve never seen the university quite like this.
I go out to society events during the evening, and the campus is still busy. People are skating, playing football, chatting, singing, and doing group study sessions. I was shocked. Throughout my undergraduate degree, campus was quiet and never had the energy that it does now. Be it day or night, the campus feels like a university campus rather than a place with academic buildings on it. Since Covid it has felt as though something is missing. Now, I see society events booming, with some having more people than chairs in a room! All these beautiful communities on campus bring out the best in people, and the effect has spread across campus.
I’ll be candid with you reader, the university felt empty over the past three years. It felt as though students actively avoided campus, especially after Reading Week. The emptiness which filled campus has been taken over by a buzzing energy I didn’t know existed outside of films. I can’t help but think of movies from my childhood like Grease, or High School Musical. The feeling of community around the schools left a lasting impression on me. The media depicts universities as a sink-hole for money, and reports leave a sour taste in your mouth; images of depressed students going hungry doesn’t fill anyone with joy.
During my undergraduate, lecture rooms would be empty, with campus being a dark and quiet place. When the darker afternoons came about, students seemed to flee to their bedrooms, as if campus no longer existed. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’. At times, it could be a bit depressing seeing no joy on campus. So yes, people may complain that the library is a lot busier than previous years, but I’m so glad people are working hard and playing hard. This is something I think that students can often struggle to balance, so seeing so many people flourish is amazing to see.
After all, isn’t that what university is about? It is a place where you develop academically and personally. It’s where you begin to understand what you want from life, your values and who you want to be surrounded with. It is your experiences that form you into who you are now. I have learnt to try new things and go to different societies; for a while, I was too focused on my education that I neglected the personal growth that comes along with university. Now as a Master’s student I am taking every opportunity, as I see many people across campus doing too.
But I honestly have no idea why this has happened. Could it be a post-Covid year group? Could people be more extroverted? Well, really it could be anything. As a Postgraduate Student Ambassador who works at Royal Holloway’s Open Days, I get the privilege of seeing prospective students’ excitement at the thought of university life and seeing this translate into an improved campus life is so rewarding. Whilst I may never actually know what has caused this social boom around campus, I’m so thankful for it because university can be really tough at times, and seeing my fellow students being students really makes me happy.
So I just want to say thank you, reader. It is because of you that campus life changes, and frankly it has changed for the better this year. While the cold and dark nights creep closer, I hope everyone continues to have fun on campus. I ask you, reader, to continue coming to campus and spreading this positive energy to those around you. You may not realise it, but you are making someone’s day better.
Image Credits: Lily Gregory