Erica, BSc Psychology

"Moving to London has always been a dream, and I got a chance to live here alone during my gap year.

Before Goldsmiths, I spent my gap year attending a sixth form college in South West London, doing my Art A-level, and resitting my Ethics exam; before that I was at a school in Devon doing my GCSEs and A-Levels. I heard about Goldsmiths through my peers and teachers who attended the university. I was so intrigued by the warm, creative and expressive atmosphere they described that I had to find out more about it.

I am studying Psychology, and admire the way it is taught as it is very interactive yet so independent. I say it is interactive because of the tutorials and experiments we get to take part in. This gives us first-hand experience of the subject. I say it is independent because we are not guided like a kid riding a bicycle for the first time. We are to control the motion, but we are encouraged to ask for guidance when lost. Also, the course is beautifully broad because we learn about music, dance, aesthetics, hypnosis, and more. And on top of that, we are even encouraged to step outside of what is taught at lectures for our extended essay. I was so taken aback by this.

The overall college atmosphere is open, individualistic, free and loud. Many people project themselves through their physical appearance and I have noticed that that brightens the look of the college and even New Cross.

New Cross blooms with art and culture. There are restaurants that serve Caribbean, Nigerian, Thai, Chinese, and English foods – it is a very diverse area. What I love the most about it is that everyone, regardless of their background, tries different foods that they probably do not eat at home. I find that so unifying.

My plans post university tend to change as I contemplate working in the field of psychology and attaining a PhD. I will probably be surrounded by art, music and philosophy. Time will tell. But for now, I am taking it day by day."