Re: Semester I 2007 - Chatter Thread!
ujuphleg said:
What we all want to know, oh you formerly of Kensington having defected to Camperdown, is what you think of our humble abode?
I can say that so far, in three days of going to this place, that USyd "fking pwns!" The University of New South Wales. Here are some random extended thoughts, as I'm not really doing anything at the moment.
The people, they're much more friendly. Ignoring the fact that I already know people at USyd which has made the transition for a pseudo-shyish person like me a whole lot easier, the people are indeed a lot more outgoing, friendly and accomodating. Over there, it feels as if everyone is one of the same. That's not to say that there's probably not genuine eccentrics and such there, but USyd just feels a lot more vaired. Yesterday, I saw a guy with a Shigeru Miyamoto shirt resembling a Che Guevara shirt. I was going to go up to him and say cool shirt, but I didn't want to lose my place in the crappy line for that crappy copy center. Point of the matter is that he was different, and I genuinely feel that USyd makes a very pointed effort to accomodate those type of people and by and large accept everyone for who they are...mostly. I mean, even the socialist alternative group, (who I attended a few meetings out of interest. I don't think I'll join. I'm scared of them and don't agree with them as much as I thought), who are probably the most extreme, far out people on campus seem to be a bit of a joke. I mean, that might sound like a bad thing in a way, but to me it's good! At UNSW these people would be recieved with disdain and genuine hatred. At USyd, they're a joke and people seem to love 'em for it. That's what's great about this place.
Speaking of people once again, which I suppose is the main drawing point of a university, the faculties seem much more available, accomodating and informative than they were at UNSW. Over there, things seemed thrown together haphazardly, they seemed to be disorganised and they seemed to be drastically incompetent at what they were doing. You know, if you wanted advice from a faculty they give you some but it wasn't informative. Over here, it's the polar opposite, it's a stark contrast of competency. I had to apply for credit and was a little confused. I went to the faculty of education and the people in the office were absolutely awesome, guiding me through subject choices and prerequisites etc. The science student center staff all seemed fun, and at the same time informative to the umpteenth degree. In a nutshell, I suppose that one could say that they're just better human beings. It's a very harsh way of putting it, but by and large it's absolutely true.
Campus? Fudging awesome. The scenery is beautiful. Anyone who says that UNSW is a better looking uni needs to have their mouth crammed full of mud. "more sandstone" seems to be an insult hurled at this place. What for? The quad looks amazing both in and out, the Anderson Stewart building (my favourite) is beautiful, the Physics building is majestic and everything in between ranges from awesome, to competent, to the one downright ugly building (Carslaw).
Student life, union involvement and overall "fun" factor is much better here than there. Over there, the union seemed to be hidden away, everything occured at the Roundhouse blah blah blah. Here? Everything is everywhere. I've used the word before, I can't think of another: The place is a lot more accomodating. Oh, I love the Wentworth Building by the way. So convinient and awesome.
I guess that the most important thing is the teaching. I've only had lectures and one tutorial so far but they've all eclipsed UNSW in terms of quality. This place steps all over USyd. I was talking to some random in education today and mentioned how awful the education program was over there compared to here. I summarised it by saying that USyd tramples all over UNSW in terms of this degree. There's no other way to put it, it's the absolute truth. It sounds awful, but it just seems like all the plebs seemed to have wandered over there and the good teachers wandered over here! I'm sure I'll run into a shitty lecturer or tutor some place down the line. The chemistry guy makes organic chemistry more exciting than usual, the education lecturer made us sing a song, the govt lecturer seemed mean but was informative and the maths guy was fucking hilarious!
Transport is my only real beef, but it's not really the fault of USyd. Walking to and from Redfern is easy, much easier than catching a bus. My beef lies with the train times. It seems like the express trains on the Campbelltown line come about 20 minutes after I get there. It's a pity that cityrail can't adjust the timetable to account for this somehow.
Getting there is a lot easier than getting back, I guess.
Scores:
The University of Sydney
Teaching: 9
Academic advice: 10
Student services: 9
Transport: 9
Students: 9
Layout/Appearance: 10
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The University of New South Wales
Teaching: 5
Academic advice: 2
Student services: 3
Transport: 6
Students: 6
Layout/Appearance: 7
Overall opinion? Sydney>>>>UNSW