We travel with Fleur Bowes to Discover University
As Britechester offered Fleur a place studying art history for an Honors degree it was not a hard decision choosing to go there. The brochure made the campus look beautiful.
However Fleur's father insisted that they visit the university to make sure it was as it seemed in the very attractive brochure. Fleur loved Britechester on sight, beautiful old buildings, a peaceful atmosphere though she was sure that would change when term started with all the students attending classes and joining various clubs that operated during term time. The student commons was inviting with a cosy fire for cold days, plenty of seating and places to study. There was even a canteen that was free for students studying at the university.
There were debating podiums and a microphone for poetry readings. Outside there was seating for those warmer days and a chess table for those students that enjoyed the game. You could walk down to a beautiful area by the canal with picnic tables and a couple of barbecues. There were ducks on the water and sometimes a canal boat chugging along.
Fleur would have quite liked to move to the campus housing but didn't feel able to abandon her father when he works so hard, how would he cope. Besides it would be cheaper studying from home, wouldn't it? Fleur felt sure she would still be able to fully participate in all that university offered. There was the large but quiet library in Gibb's Hill surrounded by many beautiful houses with even a little beach not too far away. She would join the art society, make new friends and have fun in the evenings at Pepper's Pub where all students met up, including those from the nearby Foxbury Institute.
The view from one housing block on the campus
Another view of the campus
However Fleur's father insisted that they visit the university to make sure it was as it seemed in the very attractive brochure. Fleur loved Britechester on sight, beautiful old buildings, a peaceful atmosphere though she was sure that would change when term started with all the students attending classes and joining various clubs that operated during term time. The student commons was inviting with a cosy fire for cold days, plenty of seating and places to study. There was even a canteen that was free for students studying at the university.
Darby's Den, the UBrite Commons
There were debating podiums and a microphone for poetry readings. Outside there was seating for those warmer days and a chess table for those students that enjoyed the game. You could walk down to a beautiful area by the canal with picnic tables and a couple of barbecues. There were ducks on the water and sometimes a canal boat chugging along.
Fleur would have quite liked to move to the campus housing but didn't feel able to abandon her father when he works so hard, how would he cope. Besides it would be cheaper studying from home, wouldn't it? Fleur felt sure she would still be able to fully participate in all that university offered. There was the large but quiet library in Gibb's Hill surrounded by many beautiful houses with even a little beach not too far away. She would join the art society, make new friends and have fun in the evenings at Pepper's Pub where all students met up, including those from the nearby Foxbury Institute.
Discover University Life
Fleur's first few weeks were a blur of activity. Course books had to be bought and they turned out to be expensive but she could eat for free in the commons which offset that expense a bit. The Art Society was wonderful, all that Fleur could hope for. Models were provided and you could meet and befriend like minded students.
It was fun meeting the uni mascot at various events throughout the week and taking a selfie as a memento. You could grab a snack on the run (though you did have to pay for those of course).
Then there were the classes to attend and course work to complete. There were presentations to put together on a board and present after checking the information and refining the look of it. Term papers had to be written and edited before submitting them. Then at the end of term there was the exam to take, this was always rather nerve racking.
In the early days Terry was very supportive when Fleur was working at home.
However as time passed Fleur found herself working alone more and more often until she hardly ever saw her father.
One evening it dawned on Fleur that she was missing out on all the student fun. She was still keeping house, maintaining the garden (admittedly she quite enjoyed that). Fleur worked hard to keep her grades up, but travelling ate into her free time which didn't seem to exist anymore. She was becoming more and more tired and needed the break when the end of term arrived to recharge her batteries before she started the whole process all over again.
Would Fleur get through this and find a happy balance or would it all become one long grind.
Next episode, the arrival of a new neighbour
