Why study Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences?
At sixth form I knew that I wanted to go to university but didn’t have a clear idea of what subject I wanted to devote myself wholly to for three years. At the time, I was torn between studying Anthropology or Music, but was still hesitant about these options as I wasn’t ready to completely abandon studying science. When I saw that I could study Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences, which would give me the chance to study subjects both in humanities and sciences, I knew that it was the right course for me! LANS offers such a wide variety of subjects and allows you the flexibility that no other course can provide. I could take modules in Psychology and in Music simultaneously and had the option to change my major or not have one at all if I wanted! I was persuaded by LANS’s emphasis on interdisciplinarity and keen to incorporate it into my learning as much as I could.
What is your major? What subjects are you studying?
I major in Anthropology and have studied Music, Politics, English, Psychology, Sociology, History, Film and Philosophy over the course of the three years I spent in Birmingham. I have majored in Anthropology since first year and have greatly enjoyed studying it as my “specialism”!
What is the most memorable moment so far?
I have made so many incredible memories through LANS so it is difficult to pick the most memorable moment, but one that stands out the most is our trip as a cohort to Coniston in the Lake District. It was a great way to spend time with fellow LANS students and get to know everyone while partaking in fun activities in the great outdoors with such beautiful scenery! We climbed up the Old Man, which was tough but rewarding, and group paddle boarded on the lake. Our group leader knew how to motivate us and speed up our pace by promising ice cream and hot chocolate at the end of our walks/ paddle! Additionally, at the end of the trip I got to try gorge scrambling for the first time, which I loved despite it being absolutely freezing! This Coniston trip was also the time when lots of “proposals” occurred where people would ask each other to get married in order to become LANS parents to the incoming LANS cohort. All these memories are why the Coniston trip is my most memorable moment of LANS!
Describe your experience
I have had my ups and downs in LANS, from seeing plays and having community lunches, to navigating the complex module selection process and having to deal with the cancellation of my year abroad. Overall, however, I view my experience in LANS with fondness, and could not have made it through without the care and support of the staff and my fellow course mates. A real effort has been made to create a strong LANS community and I can truly say that our cohort are closely knit. This has been invaluable, especially at times when you feel like the odd one out in classes of students doing straight subjects! I have especially enjoyed the cultural programme that LANS at Birmingham offers, as it has allowed me to attend and take part in fun and exciting events – such as a Desi pub crawl and an Afro-Cuban jazz concert - and learn about new things that I may not have otherwise encountered.
The LANS society has also been a great way to foster a community feel with regular social events. I particularly enjoyed partaking in LANS netball with friendly weekly matches!
Any advice? Top tips?
As a LANS student it can be daunting to enter a class and feel like the least knowledgeable about the subject, but, in most cases, everyone is on the same page and know as much about the topic as you do! It can be useful, however, to let the lecturer know that you are a LANS student as they will be understanding and accommodating and often offer useful support or guidance. Also, don’t be afraid to try subjects you have never studied before as it can offer valuable insights into what really interests you!
Studying a LANS degree is exciting as it means you don’t have to restrict yourself to one subject and you can explore and incorporate a range of perspectives. It is a personalisable course that provides students with crucial skills. Just be prepared to explain “what exactly is LANS?” more than a handful of times!