Hello, my name’s Sughra and I enrolled into the mathematics course at Surrey via clearing. The clearing process itself was straightforward, and I felt confident I made the right decision when a member of the mathematics department personally called me to ask how I am feeling about this next step and if I had any questions. I felt reassured that I made the right decision. A month later I moved into the Manor Park Village campus and was preparing for my first day at Surrey.

Making friends

I initially did not know anyone on the course but through my personal tutor meetings and induction activities I met some lovely people who soon became my friends even outside of lectures and seminars. The course itself is very clear cut with a great system in place and routine check ins with a personal tutor about anything and everything. By a couple of months into the course and university, I was baking with course mates, actively trying out new societies, attending regular MathsSoc meetings and I had also become a Mathematics Course Representative! I felt very in control of my experience and being Head Girl at my sixth form previously meant I carried that level of involvement into this new community at Surrey.

My first year at Surrey

First year has just finished and moving away meant I grew not only academically but also personally. I now have more resilience, independence and definitely am more committed to growth in all areas of life. Some would say Surrey has really changed me but in the best way possible! The course itself has already given me so much more to look forward to for the rest of my bachelor’s and I’m excited to explore other areas in mathematics that I haven’t already had a chance to delve into. I’m excited to continue my journey here and to make the most of what Second Year holds for me especially while studying areas of the course that I am interested in through the optional modules that tailor part of my degree.

My advice

If I could give one piece of advice to someone considering Surrey especially through clearing, I would say go into it with a positive and open mindset. It’s easy to feel stressed if you did not initially attend any open days or offer holder days but everyone is new and there is a lot of opportunity to find your people, enjoy your course and try new things. The main thing is that university is what you make it and every experience moulds you and for me showing up matters. Whether that is to lectures, seminars, tutor meetings, society events, tryouts, hosted balls, the gym, barbecues, movie nights or watching sports games at Surrey Sports Park. It all matters especially when I look back now and see all those little moments collectively made up my amazing experience at Surrey.