First-years left in the dark after NTU timetable delay

Starting university is a long-awaited dream for many students, but this year’s freshers’ community has already been thrown obstacle after obstacle.

Most recently it has been announced that new students would receive their timetable on Monday, September 21, rather than the originally planned September 14.

This leaves students without a lot of notice to arrange travel, childcare, as well as to mentally plan and prepare for the academic term ahead of them.

Platform writer Laycie Beck decided to ask first year students what they thought of the timetable delay and university experience so far, and this is what they had to say:

First year Forensic Psychology student, Amanda McCarron, 30, said: “I’m so frustrated by it, waiting until today was stressful enough but having to wait another week is horrendous.

“I have to sort out childcare for my 4 children, plus what shifts I will be available for at work, so I feel like my life is on hold right now.”

Incoming Politics and International Relations student, Connor Chalmers, 25, said: “I’m not fussed at all. Uni doesn’t start until October 5, that’s still weeks away. I’m not even usually thinking about my timetable until the week before.”

Law with Criminology first year, Cassandra Gibson, 32, said: “It’s just a bit frustrating as I’m not able to sort any childcare out for my two children.

I understand they are trying their best but its stressful for me as I can’t put any plans in place.”

First year Pharmacology student, Reef Stevens, 19, said: “I’m not bothered about the delayed timetable, just that I have to pay nine and a half grand for some Zoom calls. We should get a discounted tuition fee.”

Incoming Music Performance student, Lucy Crisp, 20, said: “In terms of the timetables I think most of the students starting this year do feel anxious as we have no clear indication of whether lectures and seminars will be online or not, and whether we will be able to access the facilities needed for our course.

“My friends at other universities have already been given their timetables for the upcoming academic year, so I think we should have been told today at the latest.”

Forensic Psychology student, Amanda McCarron, 30, said: “I’m so frustrated by it, waiting until today was stressful enough but having to wait another week is horrendous.

“I have to sort out childcare for my four children, plus what shifts I will be available for at work, so I feel like my life is on hold right now.”

First year Textile Design student, Lauren Graham, 18, said: “It’s a bit of a joke to be honest, we were also meant to receive an equipment list in July and still haven’t had one.

Many first-year students feel that they have had no communication from the university, and have no idea what to expect, some of which are even considering dropping out or deferring.

By Laycie Beck

Featured image credit: Olimpia Zagnat.

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