Studies in Chapel Hill: the Academic Side
By Louis Cotterell, UNC Chapel Hill, USA
Through my time in the US I have found studies to be more intensive – perhaps due to the fact of living on campus, permanently in proximity to libraries, classrooms and academic buildings. It makes for a nice change to be nestled into the structures of academia, as opposed to living in housing off-campus and needing to commute. It makes it easier to motivate myself to study when I am only a short walk from the library.
Speaking of libraries, there are three main ones on campus, although there are multiple other subject-specific ones dotted round, for example in the business school. The main one I use is the Davis library, as well as the Undergrad. They cater well to different study types: the first floor area has comfy chairs, large tables and noise allowance to foster group study, and as you go up levels it caters more and more to independent study, with noise limits and personal desks. This contrast is great in allowing for different study goals, such as group projects versus independent revision. During exam season, the campus clears out and enters the libraries, making finding a seat during this period extremely difficult.
In terms of subjects, the curriculum is more full-on as well. As a PPE student, in Manchester my grades are primarily made up of essays and/or the end of term exam. Here, the study is more consistent, with attendance, weekly homeworks, midterms, group projects and final exams all making up the final grade.
Most modules are made up of two lectures a week, lasting between an hour and an hour fifteen, and a recitation, which is the equivalent of a tutorial/seminar. Lectures can be big or small, with some taking place in classrooms of 20 or so, and some in big theatres of 200+. There is a more discussive element to many than back home, as for some subjects part of the grade is made up of in-class participation. This was the case in my philosophy unit last semester, which definitely incentivized me to speak up and talk in class more than I would have done otherwise.
A large difference between the UK and US is the grade boundaries. In the UK a 70 is a first-class grade, whereas over here, depending on the grading curve, it could be a fail! In order to achieve an A you must get 90-93+, a score practically unheard of in British universities. That being said, it is not as hard as it sounds and the effort required to get a top grade is largely equivalent. This is due to the fact that you achieve 10-20 points just for attending every lecture, and if you do well in all the homeworks you can secure yourself a pass without taking exams. Thus, the final grade outcome is far less contingent on exams/ final essays than in the UK syllabus, and much of the exam structure (at least in economics) features multiple choice questions.
Overall I am finding studying in the US immersive, forcing me to be more consistent with keeping on top of my studies and working throughout the semester, as opposed to cramming during exam time or when an essay is due. I was told before coming out here that it would be extremely easy, though I have not found this to be true at all.
