"After visiting the area when I was younger it wasn't so daunting as it might be to some to leave the city and come far out into the countryside. Being in the city has never been something I aimed to do for the rest of my life, so starting out now on a degree course away from the main towns seemed like a good idea.

Lampeter is reasonably small, but with all the shops which you might need in day to day life. Due to the lack of main high street chains which might tempt your money away from you it's really easy to live off your student loan providing you don't spend it all down the union instead!

The accommodation here in Lampeter is reasonable. Some of the halls are not exactly brilliant, but the prices for accommodation are some of the cheapest in the country and there is plenty of en suite rooms if that's what you'd prefer.

Being out of the city you're bound to get some interesting people here too, making friends is really easy and you find you get to know a lot of different people really well in a short amount of time.

Lectures are good. I'm currently on foundation studies but I hope to progress into a degree in philosophy and religious studies in September 04. I've heard good things about the lectures and it's one of the best in the country to study those subjects.

The entertainment around Lampeter is pretty good as well, due to the size it's hard to get some of the larger acts which other universities might be able to afford but we make do with what we have!

In November I also got elected for the position of web designer for the student's union website which has really helped me settle in better than I was doing last term.

At the end of the day, Lampeter is very different to other university lifestyles but that doesn't make it any worse. If you ask most of the student population here, they'll be having a brilliant time!"

Written by Lampeter student Helen Watters

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