News release: Students tell it how it is

Abstract

Anyone considering going to University can now find out exactly what it's like, thanks to a new student chatroom that went live on Monday 11th August.

StudentChat has been created by the University of Central Lancashire and is hosted by real students who are currently studying for a degree. For the next three weeks, visitors to the chatroom can ask about any aspect of student life and expect to get an honest and down to earth answer.

Deputy Director of Advancement at the University, John McCarthy, says: "At this time of year, people are bombarded with messages and information from universities all over the country, but they still have questions to ask. We wanted to do something that went beyond the advertising campaigns and gave prospective students the chance to ask whatever question they like, safe in the knowledge that they'll get a straight answer.

"We're expecting quite a few visitors to the chatroom over the next few weeks as people are preparing for University and others are going through the Clearing process and want to find out as much as they can."

Claire Taylor, who is about to start the final year of her degree, is one of the students staffing the chatroom. Speaking on the first afternoon that StudentChat went live, she said: "People are asking us about accommodation, how easy it is to change courses if you want to, making friends, the social life and that sort of thing. We got our first visitor within 30 minutes of going live and it's been steady all afternoon."

Members of University staff are also available at designated times to answer any academic or specialist questions that people may have. This includes staff who can give course advice as well as advisors on financial matters, disability issues and advice for international students. Details of who is available when is on the University website.

StudentChat will be online at www.uclan.ac.uk for three weeks from Monday 11th August to Friday 29th August 2003, and is open weekdays from midday to 7pm (excluding the bank holiday Monday). People can also email the students direct at a dedicated email address, studentchat@uclan.ac.uk
12th August 2003
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For further details contact Kate Ford on 01772 894423, mobile 07968 861580.