What makes a great university experience?

If you’re still in high school, you’ve probably seen a lot of movies and tv shows portraying the greatest university experience. Usually, they’re filled with fights and love stories, funny cafeteria episodes, and a lot of partying. Once in a while a teacher quotes Shakespeare in an English classroom, and the students get involved in a good debate. But what does all this mean to you? Have you thought about what you expect your university experience will be like? What is it that makes a good university experience?

Some say that academic education is the crux of the entire purpose of going to university – others think it’s a good place to spend a few years partying. But really, isn’t it something in-between? You get to build on your academic knowledge and create a foundation for a future career; and at the same time, you’re learning a bit about how to handle an aspect of life – how to speak up and how to dissent when you don’t like something – or speak up in agreement when you do. You’re developing your own belief system intellectually and socially – and putting it all to the test in a place that is providing that one step between you and the rest of your life.

What do you think forms the basis of a good university experience? What are you expecting when you get there? We’d love to hear your views on the subject!