Univercities.

Yesterday and Friday I went to various unversity open days. It opened my eyes to so many different paths and opportunities, but through going to some information sessions from different courses I've decided which direction I want to head in. If someone had asked me a year ago if I would be interested in enrolling in a course such as Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, Biodiversity & Conservation or Environmental Management I would've said no. But it's just recently that I've discovered the passion I have and always have had for nature, wildlife and conserving the environment. And so, I'm going to do everything I can to head down that path because it is where my passion lays.

Anyway, as I was saying... I tired myself from walking all over universities this weekend. Not only did I find what sort of course I want to enrol in, I also found just how big universities are (even in Adelaide!). They're all own cities in themselves. Cafes, people, buildings, atms, people, clubs, food, people, lakes, stunning views and did I mention people?!
This has inspired me to give a rating to each of the universities I went to this weekend:

Flinders University:
It is so far away from where I live, but when you get there and turn around you get a most marvellous view of Marion, Glenelg and the ocean. It took my breath away. Most of the campus was built in the 80s, so some lecture halls and rooms 
don't have airconditioning. The campus has a travel agency, couple of cafes, bistro/bar, post office, bank branch etc.
It also has a lake, which would be a great place to sit and chill out with friends or just to sit and read.
Unlike the other universities, Flinders has accomodation on campus which is specially run by the university.
The accomodation is very affordable, a 3 year old townhouse sharing with 4 others would set you back $120 per week.
There is also the units which are $120 and the University Hall which is catered is $205.
Overall it is a good university with great teaching staff and I would consider going there, having no aircon wouldn't bother me.
4.5 stars - ***/

Uni SA (city west campus):
This was the second university I visited, it's big but rather in a upwards big not a horizontal big, lots of floors and stairs. Very easy to get lost in that place, but then again, you can anywhere else. It's a fairly new campus from what I understand, built a couple of years ago. Great airconditioning. But even with all the good facilities and newness of it all, I couldn't help but feel very intimidated because of the size of the lecture halls and all the stairs and people. But if I did end up choosing USA I would be doing a lot of it at the Mawson Lakes campus which has really good facilities for environmental students with the wetlands and all. However, this university doesn't offer a bachelor of science in Marine Biology which is a little sad.
3 stars ***

University of Adelaide:
The last university I visited, it also an old university, some of it being probably built before Flinders. Some classrooms are brand new but some classrooms are fairly old and have 
squeeky and uncomfortable chairs and desks.
They offer accomodation in which they run but to get to university everyday it would consist of some walking and some catching the free city circle bus. This is the only university that doesn't offer the foundation studies/program. But they do advise students who haven't done year 12 to do the foundation course at USA or Flinders and then enrol at Adelaide.
In summary, it's a fairly good university with a widespread of choices in programs and courses.
3.5 stars ***/

All up I had an interesting weekend and I am feeling encouraged that I have found what I am most passionate about in university and a possible future career. I wouldn't really care what university I end up going to, just as long as I am studying what I like most.