Last Saturday, my cousin Lily invited me to her university’s open day.
We walked around the beautiful campus, and she showed me the department of Engineering where she studies.
She introduced me to her tutor, who explained that every undergraduate has a weekly tutorial and attends lectures and seminars.
Lily is a school-leaver, but in her seminar group there is a mature student who changed careers.
We visited the hall of residence where she lives, and then the students’ union building, where we saw posters for a vocational workshop.
Lily told me that the faculty is very supportive, especially during term time.
She warned me about the deadline for handing in her dissertation next month.
After graduation, she hopes to become a postgraduate and maybe give something back to the university by tutoring.
I also learned that in the UK, secondary school is compulsory until age 16, and pupils wear a uniform.
Lily said she used to attend a state school and passed all her exams before starting university.
Now she enjoys the long vacation between terms.
Before we left, she bought a prospectus for me.
I can’t wait to start school at a university someday!