Deanna Smith: Blog #3

1. Looooooong classes
   • Before starting your classes, make sure you’re prepared to spend an average of 5 hours in each class! Come prepared with water, snacks, and a charging cable if you need it. Professors (called “tutors” here) do understand that 5 hours is a long time, so they do provide designated time for breaks that are usually 15-30 minutes long depending on the session. Most classes aren’t exclusively lecture style. Professors usually have a few activities planned that you’re expected to complete during class, and sometimes they will even provide time during class to work on assignments. Speaking of assignments…
2. Work Load
   • Back at TCU, I’m used to getting around 2 small assignments a week to complete along with readings and regular studying. Here in London, however, the workload is much different. Rather than having many smaller assignments throughout the semester, students are expected to complete 1-3 larger assignments that usually consist of 1 long essay or multiple short answer questions. While some classes are known to have a final exam, this is very rare. Students are expected to keep up with readings similarly to school back in America
3. On Campus Living
   • Living on campus here at Roehampton has been a great way to make friends and meet new people. However, the “college experience” in England is much different than in America, as campus universities are few and far between. Don’t expect many school wide events such as sports games or Greek life. The biggest events here at Roehampton are usually put on by the campus pub and include smaller get togethers for things such as karaoke or open mics.
4. The Weather
   • As much as it pains me to say it, the weather here is bad. Like really bad. Most days, it doesn’t get over 40 degrees, and I’ve seen the sun maybe 10 times in my 3 months being here. As a person who loves being outside and in the sunshine, this has not been the greatest for my mental health. If the weather affects you like it does me, it is very important to find ways to keep yourself busy and happy. There are lots of ways to get involved on campus here, as well as many ways to explore London despite the poor weather.
5. Culture Shock
   • One of the biggest reasons I chose to study abroad in London is because I figured that it would be pretty similar to America and it would be easier to get comfortable here. While in many ways that is true, I wish I would have prepared myself more for the many ways that England is different than America. There are many unspoken rules here, some of which I still haven’t figured out (what side of the sidewalk am I supposed to walk on?!)and it is very easy to feel like a fish out of water in your first few weeks exploring the city.