Although I myself may not have experienced it first hand, my older brother’s recent departure to University to study what he is really interested in, medicine, stirred many things in me. Apart from the obvious pride and feeling of relative solitude that I will feel in the intermittent months between his leaving and his return, his moving on made me think about what University teaches people other than their specific course of work.

For a start, the current trend of Loans being handed out to Students rather than grants has meant that my brother will have to manage his building, although already high, debt. This debt is something that will inevitably hang over his head for many years to come, but if you can look on the bright side of this predicament, at least it will give him and many others a chance to have an early glimpse into the world of loans and finance in general.

Further, University gives you an unrivalled opportunity to socialise as you learn. As the living space has reduced, as have the distractions increased in the forms of increased liberty and less supervision. This also raises the problem of managing your time and your work, in order to get the balance right. As everyone is different on their methods, a schedule can only be created by oneself. This is, for most, a responsibility not dealt with before.

Overwhelmingly, though, University teaches us to fend for ourselves and to make our own decisions. After all, at some point we all have to take responsibility for our own actions, and learn to take the consequences. I have no doubt that this will be the case for my brother, and will be for many all over the country, as they progress from the relative ease of Fresher’s week and into the unknown of the next few months.