YOU WENT TO THE WRONG UNIVERSITY.

[@onceuponajones]

I did not go to the wrong university because I WENT TO ABERYSTWYTH. I STILL AM GOING. It is my final year. I love this place.

[@lemsip207]

I would much rather be at Aberystwyth University than a university in a city such as Leeds, Manchester or Newcastle. Growing up in a landlocked city I only wanted to get away from one when I left home. There's more to life than nightlife.

[@paytonreadsbooksyay]

"You have your whole life to live in the city." Thanks, Leena. I needed that sentiment today

[@leenanorms]

In that small amount of space it's insane.

[@guy3854]

Pub crawl gonna be insane

[@chopstikku887]

Last year I was accepted into Oxford uni and was both excited, but horrified because I knew I couldn't turn it down to go to my actual dream university. It ended up being the most draining and exhausting year of my life, so I dropped out. I am applying to where I want to be and not looking back. Thank you so much for this video! :)

[@tessaviolet]

I love this video.

[@leenanorms]

xxx

[@Sexpert]

i didnt expect to you see tessa violet here?!?!?

[@TS-cn4pc]

@@Sexpert ikr!

[@TS-cn4pc]

and i love your songs

[@bilan8509]

you have no idea how great this is, you are so bloody intelligent, forward thinking and 100% yourself. I study at UCL and i cannot tell you how boring it is studying with people who are all essentially the same, all rich, all public education, all gap 'yarred and just not what i expected from my university experience. As one of the only working class, ethnic minority student, i wish i'd not worried so much about saving money living at home and gone elsewhere. I love your message, you learn the same things everywhere, its the people you interact with that shape you. Thank you for this Leena!!!!!!!

[@aaya4474]

I'm at UCL too right now and it is genuinely the most unhappy I've probably been in my life, thank you so much for literally voicing my thoughts. This video genuinely made me sob too

[@Edhds6528]

I can’t tell you how reassuring this is for me. With high a level results I was so concerned with going to unis with lower entrance grades, as if it had been a waste of ucas points or something for me to go to these. To know there’s equal and even better standard of teaching here is the best thing. I’m currently in the process of applying (two years after my peers and friends- who like your fiends went to Russel groups/city unis) and weighing up my options to try and make decisions about which unis are best. It’s so snobby and I hate to admit it but I was always had the concern you mentioned that about having people around you with not identical grades and if this would prohibit learning. Obviously the uni will try and assure you this isn’t the case but it’s different when you hear it from actual students! I’d be going to do English (with art) as well, so yeah this is just absolutely spot on of what I needed to hear. Thank you!

[@Edhds6528]

Like literally all of my concerns you’ve mentioned every single one and just eradicated them all. So frigging glad I found this video!

[@zxcbbnm7552]

did you end up going?

[@flynn5109]

This video made me tear up. I graduated from Aberystwyth last summer and god I miss that place so much. I had an epiphany recently that Aberystwyth would be my form of heaven because it's such a beautiful little place, full of amazing, interesting people and it will forever hold a very special place in my heart. During my studies, I felt incredibly at home in Aberystwyth and the locals are fantastic, so welcoming and they accept everything! (I participated in medieval re-enactment when I was at uni and would be known to walk to and from training sessions wearing chainmail and the locals wouldn't even bat an eyelid and would even offer their dogs to me to be battle hounds!) Thank you Leena for such a wonderful and amazing video!

[@SmileXrtreme]

I'm 17, currently living in Aberystwyth as I have been for my whole life. It is so interesting to see it through a students eyes, recognizing every single shot. I absolutely love the art centre, probably one of my favourite spots here

[@Jimmay557]

Yes! I did MY dissertation on soil! I shall be eternally grateful to my then girlfriend and her housemate who helped me write it all at the last minute while barricaded in their house in PJM.

[@CathrynRoseReads]

Aberystyth is my hometown. I went to university in Cardiff and I now live in North London. I miss Aberystwyth so much, its a place like no other. Thanks for showing it off so well.

[@leenanorms]

AW I just found this cute low quality vid I made about Aberystwyth while I was there too - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZyWfKxjobmAkNE

[@blackdusken2mb]

As someone who studied at Aberystwyth, and now lectures in the Department of Physics, this is exactly how I feel about Aber. Choosing a university can be hard, so I thought I'd take a moment to report my own anecdotal experience. I was accepted into all six of my applied for universities (most Russell Group) during my final year of A-Levels and visited all of them. Having done so - and I cannot recommend enough attending visiting days - I found that only Aber had the soul I was looking for. For example, unlike all the other institutions I looked at, the staff at Aber have an open-door policy. Students are free to drop by offices or staff rooms any time and chat. Maybe it's about something important like the next assignment, or maybe they've just read something interesting in the news, and the lecturers will make time for anyone. Size, as well, is no indication of intellectual gravitas. Aber has a institution wide policy of research led teaching and while their not in the lecture rooms delivering an excellent learning experience to students, the lecturers will be at the forefront of their respective fields; from designing the next European Space Agency missions to advances in biomedical informatics to morality in international politics to romantic political and literary culture. The most recent NSS results were also exceptional: www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2016/08/title-187616-en.html and my department: www.aber.ac.uk/en/phys/latest-news/newsarticle/title-187806-en.html

[@Chouetterargentee]

Yeah! I really wish I hadn't chosen a super selective university. Turns out being surrounded by extremely ambitious people is exhausting.

[@aurora_skye]

Is it?

[@nathans7962]

gosh I'd expect it to be. A super selective university does have the same education, the only difference is the title and the overhyping. Best not to fall for traps such as those, and go for the university that best suits you instead. That's what I'm trying to do! I used to be all set on applying and getting admitted into Ivies and Oxford, Oxford was and still is my dream school, but opening myself up to other unis has taught me to not beat myself up about possibly not getting in!

[@mynameisnotMYA]

I'm so glad you made this video! I'm currently trying to decide between 4 universities - 2 of which are Russell Group. However, the university I want to go to isn't. There's a lot of pressure from school and parents to go to the "best" university for my grades, but I'd rather go to the best university *for me* than just the best one in the rankings.

[@leenanorms]

*sings pocahontas* LISSTENNNNN WITH YOURRRR HEARRRRT, YOUUUUU WILLL UNDDERRRSTAAAAAANDDDD...... :)

[@egunn6614]

I got into all 5 unis, 2 of which were Russell Group - I ended up going to one much lower down on the league tables but I absolutely love it!

[@lolzy34]

Been at Aberystwyth since 2013, and I'm currently doing my MA here and I 100% agree with this!!! Aber is literally one of the best places on the planet! I've been so happy here, and even if someone handed me a free pass to go back to 2013 and to go to Oxford or Cambridge or one of the other big universities, I would always turn it down because I would miss out on all the amazing experiences and wonderful people I've met at my time in Aber! It may not be the best in the league tables but it is a wonderful place to study and to grow as a person. And if you do care about grades the teaching is excellent. I came in with DDE in my A levels and left with a First in History :D oh also its a bloody gorgeous place!!!!!

[@Kovukingsrod]

I’m thinking of applying there in 2020, hopefully going there soon to check out the campus. I’m so excited! :D

[@tabithasinclair6821]

well hello there kovu from 2 years ago so glad you managed to get in :D

[@hollietarr8825]

Go wherever suits YOU! When I was looking for uni's I looked at mainly Russell group but the little old (actually quite big) University of Essex caught my attention, there's so much green space, I've never been around such a diverse selection of people and you get to join a family of like-minded people. I feel at home here and that's what matters, the number in the league table doesn't indicate how good your experience will be AT ALL. Go with your ❤ and what FEELS right.

[@PopcornEmma]

i've always wanted to live in london and i probably will end up living there, but i'm going to university in lancaster. lancaster university is perfect me, whenever i visit i don't want to leave. it's not a Big City but it's charming and historical and the campus, course and community are just lovely. aberystwyth sounds wonderful- my friend actually wants to go there, and it looks like she'll really fit in, bc she's pretty cool.

[@Anna-zx6pc]

I'm currently in my second year studying English Literature at Lancaster and can confirm that it is the loveliest, most wonderful place to study 😊

[@katievero1239]

YES! It's so important that people choosing universities now hear that it's not just to 'capitalise on your intellect', and that it's so much about forming you as a person. (As someone who did apply and go to uni based on league tables and have seen just how many people would have been happier somewhere else)

[@xntwxrld]

I wish that someone had told me this.

[@leenanorms]

brb getting time turner

[@ramilomb6142]

That university looks great to me. I would totally go there If universities weren't free in my country

[@lovemeorloseme6479]

where is that mate?

[@reyam1218]

I’m considering going in the U.K., even though it’s free in my country too

[@MargaretBelle]

I really liked your take on university Leena. I was very set on going to the uni I'm currently studying at and despite the fear my teachers and professionals had about where it sat on the league tables I'm having a blast. It's super refreshing and comforting to be having such a well rounded experience. I'm sure this video will put many at ease, thanks for sharing. Much love xx

[@sarahdugdale2764]

I went to Aber and it was the best! Miss it so much now. RE the size though - I know the town is small to people who are moving from cities, but for someone who moved there from elsewhere in Wales, from a much much smaller town, it wasn't. If you've never lived in the country, your perception of 'very small' is likely missing some examples at the genuinely 'small' end of the scale - Aber is not at the tiny end, honest!

[@Retromorrow]

What a positive video ! You look very inspired and joyful in it.

[@SynclaireX]

Yeah I'm an undergrad at Warwick and it really feels quite soulless and vapid..

[@triflepercy]

Re the pressure to be around super smart people, there's a theory of education called proximal zone of development that basically says working in mixed ability level groups is better. Each of us has a cap on how far we can extend our knowledge without input, but when you're around other people everyone's ability to extend their knowledge is now stretched to the upper limit of the most capable person in the group. Plus having to explain something to someone else is shown to consolidate knowledge so everyone's a winner! I went to Aberdeen Uni and loved it- beautiful campus and compared to friends at more 'prestigious' unis it felt like the majority of my tutors genuinely cared about student wellbeing not just results

[@thecrimsonbubbles]

ENGLISH @ ABER!

[@cinnamonsecrets]

aberystwyth sounds so lovely, i was looking at going there when i started looking into uni bcus i knew you went there how much you loved it, but i ended up going to falmouth (after a brief and soul destroying year living with my partner in farnham while he went to UCA, would not recommend farnham to anyone) and it's definitely been the best decision for me. falmouth is another fairly small seaside town, and just like aber it's wonderful and so diverse and beautiful, and full of the most amount of lovely people i have ever known to be in one place. the teaching is really good, and i would also argue we probably have the most supporting and caring and proactive SU & societies ever

[@aliciavickery751]

I'm in this exact situation now! I currently have an unconditional offer for Falmouth and a conditional for Aberystwyth and I'm so torn!! I'm a bit worried that I won't fit in with the creative 'edgy' students ha! what course did you do if you don't mind me asking?

[@cinnamonsecrets]

@@aliciavickery751 i did creative events management! though i didn't end up finishing the course and am now at uni of brighton after a few years break! happy to chat about what falmouth is like though, if you would like? x

[@thenextlilypad]

This is how I feel about my old uni, UEA. Teachers from my school disapproved of me not applying to Oxbridge or taking up the one Russell place I applied for, but I loved UEA so much, and I think I got an absolutely top-notch education there with the benefit of a gorgeous city, caring university culture, a great poetry scene, a diverse and innovative course, and a really progressive attitude. I was an ambassador and I always told students to find the place that feels right for them, to develop the whole of themselves :) (also my parents went to Aber which ruled it out for me, but it is a fab fab place)

[@nathaliakinsey8113]

This video is so comforting. I'm dealing with a bit of anxiety leading up to A levels right now and it's so nice to know that, even if I don't get the grades I'd like to, I can go somewhere as amazing and beautiful as this.

[@123FanTwilight]

I really needed this right now. I'm studying English at the University of Exeter's Cornwall Campus near Falmouth, and recently I've been feeling like I might be missing out on something by not living in a city. I guess it's just natural to have some nagging doubts halfway through your degree, but thanks for reminding me to take a rainy beach walk today 💜

[@LeanneRose]

2:55 oh how I appreciate these lovely ones

[@ellashiani3476]

I love how I could just feel the passion coming from you through the screen!

[@MercuryCalling]

the heart you have for Aberystwyth reminds me of my relationship with my school, Hartwick. small, but not limited. warm. thanks for making this--it cheered me up.

[@Zoe-wl2gt]

I’ve lived in America and all over the UK, and Aberystwyth is hands down my favourite place on Earth. I’m going into my second year soon at Aber uni and I can’t wait to go back, if I could I’d never leave! 🥰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@unapologeticallylizzy]

Hi! I'm starting in September!

[@FindAmelia]

Got to admit - Aber is the shit. I miss it.

[@wharfedalehome]

Leena - Yes, I totally agree with your comments, and I can see not a lot has changed since I was there. I can see that many of your viewers are quite concerned about their choice of university and want to choose the best uni for them. It was the same for me, although this was quite a few years ago now. But to change the focus a little, I had different priorities... At the time that I chose to go to university (to study Geography) while doing A levels I was aware that, after Oxford and Cambridge, the best places to study it back then were first Durham and then Aberystwyth. I was accepted by both, which was great. So I had a good look around Durham which had (and still has) a brilliant reputation for the subject and looked very worthy - but it also looked a bit dull and rather serious too. Whereas Aber looked very relaxed and was also by the sea! So I chose a three year seaside holiday instead. Aber might be a small seaside town deep in Wales but it is out of sight and out of mind of most parents and grown ups generally, who probably have barely heard of the place and almost certainly never been there. This is a good thing because while it it is ignored by many, Aber it is secretly a party town. Forget Ibiza, Zante, Cancun and all the rest, you can only party there for a fortnight or so. In Aber you can drink, dance and do whatever else takes your fancy all the time all year. I did some studying while I was there of course, but mainly it was one long party that started in fresher's week in the first year and ended some three years later. I remember some of what went on there, but not everything. Did I get a good education? Probably not. Did I have a good time? Oh yes! Aber really is a good uni for quite a range of subjects, but the student life is better still. So if you have slogged your way through GCSE's and A levels and now you want a well earned break from responsibility, learning and preparation for the world of work, just put your career on hold and get yourself to Aber. There are clubs, bars, pubs, the beach and the sea are all waiting for you. You can even attend a few lectures and seminars too if you’ve a fancy to, just to show willing. So come to Aber and have yourself a big three year holiday by the sea! - Tim

[@zxcbbnm7552]

This comment makes me really wanted to go to uni at Aber.

[@sabs7880]

Our College Counsellor (who went to Aberystwyth) showed us your video in assembly (I went to an international School) . I applied to Aberystwyth because of you and her I don't regret it for a second!

[@JoeeJayy]

i have nothing to say other than that i love this so so so much i have so much attachment to my uni town but honestly also so much reservation and bad associations too, so it's wonderful to see such a beautiful reminisce here.

[@erinlouiseharrison]

lol i love london and made the right decision to live there but i relate to the feeling of finding a new place that feels like home

[@katrinahelena8262]

I did English and creative writing in Aberystwyth! still live there now after graduatiing. It's a wonderful place

[@sarabea4817]

I'm living in north Italy pretty much in the Alps and all this sea chat genuinely made me cry thinking of my home in the Scottish highlands. So glad you had the best experience

[@danilp9097]

Absolutely loved this video and the messages it stands for :) I'm at Gloucestershire University and just finishing my last year of Psychology and I've had an amazing time wouldn't have changed where I've been for the world met some great people and had awesome adventures X

[@booksandpieces]

Yes! Love Aber, such a nice town. I went to a big university and then worked in a tiny more remote one and the level of care that was directed toward students (and the sense of community) were so much better in the little remote one.

[@Bandanathebanana]

Legit my favourite video you have ever done!! i am a first year at Reading university, and i absolutely love it here, it is a small town area, but honestly feel like I'm living my happiest moment right now :)

[@sarahrxssell]

I graduated from Reading in 2022 and I feel the same way! Reading is ‘small’ but I knew it like the back of my hand and would go back in a heartbeat. The river, the greenery, the red brick buildings, the evenings spent in Palmer Park, the chaos of Purple Turtle, trundling around Whiteknights Lake, the Abbey ruins and having a picnic in Forbury Gardens. It’ll always be home to me, and some people will never understand!

[@mandy]

I've been thinking a lot about education lately - my little brother is bad at school atm, and he isn't applying himself for his GCSE's in a few months - and it got me thinking about the way we talk about education. Every exam season there is an influx of people saying "exams don't matter, do your best" from people in creative freelance jobs, and because of that he took away the message "exams don't matter". I thought back to my education and what I went through and how it's helped me career wise - staying in education gave me the breathing space to realise what I wanted to do, and how to start it from fresh after uni, but my psychology degree itself doesn't matter. Just the fact I have one, because employers look for skills. So when people talk about universities I say the same thing as you - find one you can be happy in and gels with your personality over what their 'ranking' is. Then there is GCSEs and sixth form. I wish I went to an art college instead to do a foundation, but sixth form helped with critical thinking. I also believe GCSE's are a basic everyone should have, and what we need to start saying to people overall, with exams and education, is: It's not the school or the high result that matters, it's the knowledge and skills you gain from them. And in that sense, they all matter. Bit tangental, but also relevant.

[@laurenmartin9681]

As a person in a city who can't wait to get out of said city, this made my heart sing

[@WriterNinja]

the path less travelled is always the one worth taking, indeed. truly enjoyed this video.

[@elliejeffery]

A different perspective: I live in a small, rural town, in the middle of nowhere, honestly. So going to Aberystwyth would be not much of a change for me, I've been there before and I've loved it, but it reminds me too much of home. So, I've decided to apply for the University of Birmingham. Because I feel like I can gain a better width of experience from spending three years living in a massive city, something I've never had the opportunity to do before, instead of spending three years in a town so similar to my own. Also Aberystwyth doesn't offer a second year English module all about Shakespeare where you can go to Stratford and do cool shit with the RSC, sooooooo

[@olivia1910]

So jealous, never liked any school I went to. Wonder what that feels like haha, might have to go there !

[@EmilyEaton14]

Just firmed my unconditional offer from Aber and honestly couldn't be happier about it

[@tabithasinclair6821]

how did you get an unconditional was it decent grades and an incredible personal statement?

[@annabelcook2796]

I just did aber's scholarship exam last week! I Went to the open day and it was the only uni I visited that I felt truly relaxed and at ease. I struggled while deciding which unis to pick because even the prospect still seems so daunting but this vid really helped reassure me that I've picked the right place, so thank you! I've currently got a conditional offer but hopefully if I did well in the exam that might change to unconditional. (Also I'm hoping to study english with creative writing) :)

[@zxcbbnm7552]

how did it go?

[@annabelcook2796]

@@zxcbbnm7552 I'm a year late to your comment lol but I had the best time at Aberystwyth (thank you for asking!). It's perfectly summed up in the video that it just attracts the best type of people and it's such a beautiful bubble to live in for three years (if not more) of your life. I ended up getting a scholarship and unconditional offer - just very grateful things turned out as they did and all the worries I had beforehand soon went away. I now have really cherished memories of my time there :)

[@Lou_]

I'm currently choosing between a couple unis and throughout the last couple years i keep looking back at aber as a top choice even thought the idea of being so far away from the people and what I know is incredibly daunting. I haven't seen even a SINGLE person say they regret going to aber unlike most other unis ive looked at which is reassuring. You mentioned the 'you have your whole life to live in a city' and that was a new way for me to think about things. The idea of being away from bigger locations is scary but i can always go to them later in life it doesn't have to be now.

[@alainakester3719]

I didn't go away to college. Sacramento State is only like 30min from the suburb I grew up in and I was familiar with the city of Sacramento so it wasn't brand new to me. I've met so many different people and fell back in love with the city because I've gotten to know it as an adult so my relationship with Sacramento is different. It's a large city but not anywhere close to San Francisco or Los Angeles so there are people who complain that there is nothing to do here and to me those people are missing out. I go to the Crocker Art Museum all the time where they have new exhibits about every 3-4 months, have live music, & show films. One of my favorite things I did with a girl I met at Sac State is we wandered around downtown looking for a place to eat because this small café we originally were going to was full and we found this place Capitol Garage that is now just my favorite place to eat, then we went back to the café for the last little bit of poetry for the night. It was amazing. So while some of my classmates from high school went off to larger and more prestigious colleges I went to this smaller state university but I feel like I've been able to get an education in my classes, events held at Sac State such as guest speakers and authors and also in my experiences while re-exploring Sacramento. I'm in my last semester and reflecting back I can honestly say I've been able to take some really cool classes with some pretty awesome professors and was able to shape what I wanted my education to be through the classes I took outside of what was required for my major. I don't know if it was better, just different. (sorry this is really long).

[@echoland2774]

I go to university in Vienna and do love it, but i really think you're right too! Another point is, that living in a big city often makes you feel like you're missing out on things because so much is happening and you cannot be everywhere at once. Sometimes I imagie that living in a small town gives you more room to be yourself somehow, though I don't know if that's just because the grass is always greener on the other side ;)

[@sarahjane6265]

I went to Aber, only for a few months! I don't think it was anything to do with University or the town because it is beautiful, I just wasn't ready. I was very homesick and lonely, and ended up deciding to go back home. I've been back since, but it's always going to be quite a sad place for me, erk. It's lovely to hear someone talk so warmly about it. I love the bookshops, and obviously there's great fish and chips, and the Chelsea Buns are the best ever for some reason?

[@saran476]

no waaaay, i live here (or go to college here, i live half an hour away where there truly is NOTHING to do) !! i found this so interesting, seeing a totally different perspective of my home town. i've seen the not so pretty side, the cracks do begin to show when it's all you've ever known, which makes me desperate to escape to the city which i guess is perfectly natural after being here for so long. despite the flaws that i see, i do love this town. it may get a tad repetitive and boring but it's truly a wonderful, beautiful place.

[@schuylersnarrative3971]

That ending though haha! As someone who's in their second year at Aber, I agree to all of this! Aberystwyth is one of the loveliest places in the UK. I've met the most amazing people there and I am just so glad I picked this place

[@emilyjoy6051]

Thank you so much for the video! 💖 I was genuinely getting really emotional watching this because every single thing you said was so true. I’m currently picking which Uni I want to go to now and I’ve been getting myself slightly stressed about which one, the rankings and whether or not I could get in but watching this made me feel so much better about everything. I remember watching your videos about publishing a little while ago so I was so happy when I saw it was you because I’m also hoping to study English Literature! Aberystwyth looks so beautiful and I love the fact that it’s not too large and away from the city since I’ve always preferred the countryside and lived in a really quiet/small area. Thank you again for making this because it helps me so so much and made me feel a lot more relaxed about picking Universities and also a lot more excited! 😊

[@OnthewaytoEuu]

Words of wisdom Leena! Couldn't agree more with what you said. Personally, I spent 5 years in Aberystwyth and couldn't wait to move out only to be back visiting friends a few months later. Aberystwyth will always have a special place in my heart and will always go back with a smile on my face. Also even though very briefly, it was great meeting you in Aber :) - G.

[@mihaelapascu4484]

I think it really depends on the city and a nation's culture or way to look at it. For instance, in some small cities culture tends to stay into certain limits. But at the same time I found that at my University, studying foreign languages and literature offered almost no chance of getting a job. And almost all courses were obsolete. I went for a master degree after and this is what made a huge difference. I studied book publishing and I work in the field today. The difference was made by the fact that the teachers were already working in the field and they were keeping up to date with all that was new in the field. Can't say the same about 18th century literature teachers. So while I wanted to go to the BIG city, I now know that it's not a mandatory condition. And it's something charming about smaller communities, I think we need more than ever to be kinder to each other and more understanding. So I did go to the wrong university, but partially "repaired" my wrong choice with the master degree.

[@KnightsOfBellamy]

I adore this, studying at a small town college myself. I've met people who are so different to what I've known my whole life during the first 2 years of college and although I was unhappy at first that I didn't get to go to a universally acknowledged college but I think this whole experience has been great for me. Lots of learning and changing that should be done during college years, turns out small towns are great for that.

[@OnaSalvatFebrero]

honestly this made me feel so much better about having picked ucc in Cork as my first choice destination for my Erasmus next year... I know Cork IS a city but still there's this pressure of choosing a huge European metropolis city or a super-known crazy good uni.... even though I LIVE in a big European city (Barcelona). so I chose someplace that I feel will give me a different lifestyle on top of a good academic experience and seeing that worked well for you really makes me happy

[@beth2730]

I resonate with this video SO FUCKING MUCH. Last year, I applied to do Biomedical Genetics at Newcastle University, hoping to achieve AAB in Psychology, Biology and Chemistry A-levels. This summer, I ended up with BCC in said subjects and rounded up at De Montfort University in Leicester, studying Criminology and Criminal Justice. And you know what? I bloody love it. I love Leicester, I love its oppourtunities, a city which isn't and terrifying like London or Birmingham, a culture so diverse it is home to the most multicultural street in the UK, Narbrough Road. I love my course, it's what I always was interested in but what I was too scared to do, thanks to the false beliefs that I wouldn't achieve a well paid job out of it. Yes, I find myself around people who achieved lower grades than those which I was predicted, at a uni which doesn't score tremendously high in league tables, but at the end of the day, who sodding cares? I'm in the right place for me, and although chance and fate got me here, I'm so pissing glad it did :)

[@thecourrrr]

I always believed compassion would take you farther than knowledge could in life. The college I went to wasn't filled with geniuses but a lot of creative people with big hearts.

[@annarogers3172]

Been an Aber IBERS Student for the last 6 years. Could not agree with this more! We are small but mighty!

[@kdavies1565]

Ah thank you Leena! I've been pushed towards Oxbridge since I started secondary school but I went against that and didn't apply to a single Russell group uni this year, instead I went with my heart and chose smaller uni's where I knew I would feel at home and have more creative freedom. Now that I've accepted an unconditional offer from Uni of Glos i've been having a bit of buyers remorse and worrying that I'm not "living up to my potential", but you've just reaffirmed that that's just complete bullshit!

[@juk2023]

hell yeahhhh! Smiling from ear to ear watching this

[@katherineduffus8269]

i love this video and i love you. Your perspective on life is very similar to mine and personally I could never imagine going to uni in a big city- or living in one full stop. My firm is in Penryn in cornwall and i did put my insurance as aberystwyth. I just wanted to move a whole world away from home, learn and get to live in a small buzzing community by the sea. I can't wait till september!!!

[@beckypw1995]

I'm currently in my last year at Lancaster reading Philosophy. I won't try to convince you it is better because I think the person makes the place. Lovely video as always.

[@marshmellowsquash]

Aberystwyth was my backup uni, convinced my mum to drive me to the open day and we ended up staying overnight and loving it. It was beautiful and scenic and I would go back. I am however really glad I went to Sheffield. I love being in a city. I completely agree though about going where you feel you can be enriched as a whole and not just academically. I could have spent so much time trying to get to more competitive unis but I don't think they would have made me happy x

[@Beecosy]

Thank you for making this video - you've captured the spirit of the place I remember back in the 1980s and I agree with everything you mentioned. My heart is still there ☺💜👍🏻

[@eleanorthomas5014]

Im in year 12 so have had to start thinking about unis this year and it's caused a massive dilemma for me. I excel at maths and science and was expected to go into engineering and go to imperial or Cambridge but me heart really wasn't in it. I love English literature and yes I may not be as good as it but it's what I want to do. I'm still being pushed towards oxford and Cambridge but i don't think reputation is everything. I want to go somewhere with lovely people and nice cafes and someone I can chill and be myself and this really helped me know that's okay. Thanks Leena

[@FCCZJ1903]

Cambridge has a wonderful English Department, as well as lovely cafés. But you're right -- by no means feel like Oxbridge is the only option!

[@tekna2908]

I'm actually planning to go abroad a semester to Aberystwyth! This makes me so excited

[@wshaw1240]

I was in the great hall as a Marshall today and stood where you filmed this video. Caru aber even after 30 years x

[@SamWest96]

This is such odd timing. I'm moving to Borth (5 miles north of Aber) in 6 weeks for a new job. I'm 20 and so far in my life I've lived in 5 different houses, all a maximum of 30 mins away from a major city. I'm a complete city girl but I'm excited to see what a little town has to offer. Thank you for this 😊

[@isabellemagali5578]

I loved Aber so so so much. Went there last year as Erasmus student. Thanks for this video, brings back happy memories! :D

[@SinisterNight96]

My brother went to Aberystwyth in 2011-2014 to do english lit and creative writing, he told me about pier pressure and the sticky floor, not really his thing, but he liked the comedy club.

[@paperstainedink]

I finished my bachelor's at Canterbury Christ Church University, and I loved it. Canterbury was wonderful; it was perfect to study History, and my lecturers were brilliant. But having started my master's at Edinburgh University, I know I'm home. Edinburgh is where my heart is.

[@EllaHarvey]

I feel this so much but mine is sort of the opposite - I got the grades to study at a top 3 university for my course but ended up going to Queen Mary because I absolutely loved the atmosphere. Last year I probably would have said that I regretted my decision but this year (my second year) I'm so happy that I went with my gut because I love the community feel! I also went to a feeder school for Oxford and Cambridge so you can imagine how high the pressure was to go with the one with the best admittance grades!

[@NoahAndABadger]

it's definitely good to be well rounded. but for me having a first helped me really stand out from the crowd. find the balance it should be possible to have fun and get a first. I spent all my time studying and got way over the mark needed for a first so yeah. it's all about time management. plus you're making the most of the subject you love and may never study again

[@bettychoibooks]

I'm at Cardiff - but Aber was my second! I was slightly put off by the hill!!

[@spaghettiyeti6408]

I'm studying at Falmouth and honestly I feel exactly the same. I'm with Uni of Exeter and they share a campus with Falmouth Uni so you meet loads of cool artsy people as well as people who are more traditionally academically minded. I think uni is such a big decision and I know that whilst my grades were good, I couldn't have lived in a big city :)

[@ciaragrant8555]

I'm really considering Aberystwyth at the moment, having big city Uni's such Leeds, York etc. as other options, but wanting Aberystwyth as a lower offer option as all my other choices are pretty much wanting A's galore. I was umming and ahhing about whether to go to the open day this Saturday, but this has definitely cemented that I would like to go and check it out! The place sounds amazing, thank you so much for coincidentally making this video!! x

[@JoshTumath]

Spot on. I am a well rounded person today because of the diversity of the people that I met in Aberystwyth.

[@giorgianalascu6041]

I went to a community college before a four year school and I still talk to all my professors from that college. We'd go out to eat together and get drunk. Once, I slept over two professors' houses and we'd talk about life until the sun came up. It's all about finding kind people.

[@HollyM95]

This made me cry I miss Aber so much! Was really the best three years of my life. Was that a sneaky shot of rummers??

[@santersgrotto]

I'm so glad I didn't go to a big city university! I decided on UEA, which also is in a city - Norwich by no means feels like one. A stones throw from so many beautiful beaches, enough pubs for every day of the year and the nicest locals ever. Admittedly I'm a bit bias, since graduating I couldn't bring myself to leave. I may have to create a video about my uni experience so I don't ramble too much here, but I don't regret for a moment that I didn't go to a big city or a more esteemed university.

[@BishBashBecca]

I loved my uni, but I also love the sound of yours! Mazing that you talk about it so passionately! x

[@pingy2410]

This was such a lovely video, Leena. I studied English as well and based on my A level grades I know I could have got into a "better" university than the one I went to but I loved my ex-polytechnic and I don't feel that the teaching standards or my own levels of enjoyment were any different because of that. The diversity of the people I studied with made it such a well rounded experience.

[@lizziegsack]

"UHH NOE" haha. Love this, especially point about hanging around totally different people. I spent sooo much time comparing a load of different universities to study film (literally making charts), and in the end just went for a foundation at a local arts uni... but I felt well drowned in the arty vibes, around all these arty farty people and I reaaally missed the diversity of school. If I ever do any higher education in the future I totally fancy something including crab fishing and swimming in the sea. P.S videos like this need to replace those cheesy uni promotion films!

[@gordonallison1055]

I cane here in 1991 for a short term contract in the then Biochemistry Department and never left. Love this video- says it as it is Aberystwyth is a very special place!

[@katiekress5787]

I'm currently a junior in high school (year 11) and I get really good grades and WOW DID I NEED THIS I really had been thinking about college selection as a way to spend my intellectual capital; and...oh my gosh I needed this so much thank you leena

[@seaalleymusic]

This was a really great video! I'm from NZ so I went to uni there, but I did a semester abroad at Royal Holloway. It's about 40 minutes out of London so I was super close to the city, but the uni itself was in Egham so I got to experience a similar, tiny-town feeling. Aberystwyth looks absolutely beautiful!

[@thatreallyistomas]

I SAW YSTWYTH BOOKS AND HAD A BIT OF A FAN GIRL! I LOVE THAT PLACE! Great video - always up for sharing the Aber love

[@zoebulick8675]

Such a wonderful video! I only spent a semester in Aber, (we had class together) and it totally changed my life! I have been wanting to get back ever since! :) thanks for sharing! Amazing!!!!!!

[@aisling_90]

I'm in uni for my second time and wondered whether I should've gone somewhere more cosmopolitan but I'm so glad I followed my passion and I can travel when I'm done. Excellent vid 👌🏽

[@ashliiprigmore5441]

I'm attending Aber myself, I'm second year. I was going to go to Newport, but things happened so I just went here as I'd moved out my parent's and had a place to myself when the time came to enrol. Art's a great subject to study here, I will say though when you've gone and graduated there isn't much going for the town. Having grown up here I can say in terms of being a progressive place and full of lovely people you're spot on, but there's not many jobs going in the area nor houses for non students. After graduating it is a bit too easy to get stuck here and not able to move out/friends move away. But for going to uni it is a great place!

[@wefounddove]

I go to the University of the Highlands and Islands and although it's not so much an academic university, it does courses that no one else does and there is a very community spirit along side it :) x

[@thethegreenmachine]

It sounds like you made a great choice. I think I'd have liked it there. Mine was similar in terms of people. It has miles of beaches (a bit cold for swimming -- the surfers all wear double-thick wetsuits), marshland, rivers, mountains, and redwoods, though it had fewer bars.