‘Grades are important but so is learning who you are’
Best-selling Londonderry author Claire Allan (43) studied Modern Studies in the Humanities at Ulster University, which she says was “a very fancy way of combining politics, history, literature and philosophy”. She says university taught her to fend for herself.
In my first year I lived in the halls of residence, which were named alphabetically,” Claire says. “I lived in the unfortunately named ‘H’ block. After that, I house-shared in a very cold, very brown house in Whiteabbey.
“I was a very committed student. I didn’t live in the library but I was very dedicated to my studies.
“I did manage to have some fun as well — myself and my room-mate, Elaine, would go out a lot to see her boyfriend’s band. The lead singer was the now-famous Foy Vance.
“At university, I learned to fend for myself. I really grew up in those few years. Studying philosophy also really allowed me to open my eyes to different viewpoints.”
Claire has this advice for those enrolling today.
“It can be quite scary at first, especially if you’re going somewhere where you don’t know people,” she says. “The change in workload is a shock to the sys
tem. I wanted to quit after the first few weeks, but made my parents a promise to stay until Christmas and if I still hated it, I could leave. By Christmas I was loving it, so give yourself a chance to settle in.
“The best bits about university, for me, were the camaraderie and friendships and finding a new confidence in myself. Also, some of the very quirky lecturers, including our American Studies lecturers, who had been arrested by the FBI in the 1960s.
“The worst bit was that our student house had no heating, bar a coal fire in the living room. The bathroom was icecold. It was not fun.
“If I could tell my 18-year-old self something about university days, I would say to keep your mind open to new experiences, but keep yourself safe. Great marks are important, but learning who you are is just as important, so enjoy it.”