Christine joined the University from Malaysia and enjoys solo travelling, cooking for friends, drawing with her ipad and recently, reading. During term time, a lot of her time is spent with HYPED, the University of Edinburgh’s Hyperloop team. What attracted you to the University of Edinburgh and this programme, in particular?As a young student in A-Levels aspiring to a career in research, I knew that the University of Edinburgh was highly ranked for its research. I’ve always enjoyed exploring subjects I never learnt about, and so, the prospect of the many electives and optional courses I could take in the programme was the most appealing aspect to me.What do you wish you'd worried about less about coming to university?Living in a different city. Before coming to study in Edinburgh, I had never been overseas and was worried I wouldn’t enjoy my time in university because everything was so different. But, all worries were forgotten within the first month, mostly because I got to meet many wonderful people in this beautiful city.What one thing would you recommend new students at the University of Edinburgh do?Go for any new experiences! There’s so many things to do outside and inside the uni, whether it's joining pottery workshops or joining the horse riding society, there’s bound to be something you haven’t tried and you don’t have to be alone trying it! Time passes so fast in uni, so the thought of ‘I still have time’ is so dangerous. So try, especially when in the end, it's just you learning more about yourself.Any student wisdom you'd like to pass on?Learn to check emails. It may sound lame but it's a habit that helps, especially in a professional sense. A lot of the opportunities I have got and learnt of (summer schools, company talks and visits), have been through the emails the uni has sent. I’ve known so many people who missed out just because they never check their emails. So pick up the habit of checking your email, the uni newsletters especially!What aspects of student life do you enjoy the most and why?Exploring. University was where I explored many things (societies, picking up roles, visiting places) which has led me to meet different people and experience cultures that weren’t familiar to me. All these experiences and people I chose to be around, play a big part in deciding what kind of person I want to be and figuring out what kind of person I am. If given the choice, I would do it all over again.What do you most like about studying here?How much independent studying is encouraged and acknowledged. Even in first year, independent studying was always encouraged by my lecturers, and while some might find it dreadful, as a curious person, it only drives my curiosity and my learning. It helps that when I discuss my independent studying with my lecturers, they acknowledge it and further encourage me, either giving me more guidance or more material.What's a 'must do' at the University of Edinburgh?Visit the McEwan Hall and the Playfair Library which are, in my opinion, the most aesthetic buildings. If you’re taking up engineering or studying at Kings Buildings Campus, try and find an opportunity to visit the FloWave facility. In general, explore all the campuses, it's lots of fun to see where other people study!What is your favourite course so far and why?Materials 2 was the first course I had that introduced me to material science, something I’ve always been interested in since my A-Levels. The coursework included testing tensile and compression strength of the materials, to provide recommendations on which should be used for a wind turbine. I absolutely enjoyed learning how the different materials reacted and how they are implemented in real life based on these reactions. This course led me to take more material related courses such as Polymers and Composites, and Surface and Coatings Engineering, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed!How would you describe the practical elements of the programme?Fun! I used to be nervous with the practical activities such as lab work, surveying and mapping. It felt like I wasn’t prepared but through it all, I was provided a lot of guidance and support. In addition to this, most of the practical work I’ve done has been with groups, and so going through all this practical work, has gotten me closer to my cohort!Where is your favourite place to study?Outside of the uni, I love trying and finding new cafes to study in. It makes me feel like I’m the main character in a movie, and if it gets me to study, I’m not complaining.What are your tips for student life in Edinburgh?Bring your student card with you everywhere and look out for student discounts! Also get a Young Scots card if you’re under 22 for free bus transport within Scotland!Can you tell us of any personal of professional achievements during your studies?Starting out as a regular member of the research team in an engineering student society to the president in my final year, is probably something I never imagined about how my uni life would turn out, but I have no regrets.How is your programme equipping you for your future career?Other than the basic technical skills expected of a civil engineer, communication and working in a multidisciplinary team are skills that I’ve found most convenient in a professional environment during my internship. It has helped me adapt and be flexible in team dynamics, which has helped my team achieve better results.What advice would you give to anyone thinking of studying at the University of Edinburgh?While all universities offer similar courses that provide the basics required for the career of your choosing, Edinburgh is an experience like no other, where both the city and people are lovely. This article was published on 2025-01-30