Students pick up the camera to vlog their DMU story

Seven tech-savvy students from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have taken to YouTube to share their experiences of studying at the university.

Neesey Pathan, Lydia George, Jack Wilkin and Bex Woodford, Tabitha West, Moyo Aladegbola and Eniola Akinsanya jumped at the chance to be part of the new DMU Student Vlogger series so they could tell the world about life at DMU and in Leicester. 

Their videos, launched on the DMU YouTube channel this week, cover everything from timetabling, student events on campus and course facilities to ‘what’s in my uni bag’ and our recent 24-hour #LoveInternational vigil.

Avid YouTube viewers Jack, a Drama Studies and Creative Writing student, and Bex, also studying Drama Studies, explained why they wanted to be involved.

Jack, a second year student, said: “We watch vloggers all the time. People are always asking what we’re doing on our course and there’s a lot to do as a student, so, we thought, why not vlog it?”

When the students were asked why they wanted to get involved in the project, many of them said how useful they would have found the student vlogs when they started university.

Second year Media Production student Neesey, who has tens of thousands of followers on her own YouTube channel, said she wished there were more vlogs like this when she was looking at where to study.

The second year student said: “I looked at tours of people’s halls because I wanted to see what my room was going to look like. I did also look for people who studied media courses but I didn’t find that much so I thought it would be cool to be able to provide that for others.”

Tabitha, a first year Psychology student who also has her own vlog, said: “I would definitely recommend looking at the vlogs. I have already had people asking what I think of DMU and I’ve told them to have a look. It’s more interesting than just reading paperwork; it’s something that’s more targeted to our generation.”

Speaking about her time at DMU so far, Lydia, also a second year Media Production student, an award-winning student TV presenter and Head of Social Media at Demon Media, said: “Before I came to university no one knew I had a YouTube vlog. But when I came here I realised that people didn’t care or judge, if anything they think it’s pretty cool.

“I feel like DMU is good for building yourself a life. You don’t feel like you’re temporarily here, you feel like you have something worth staying for. I don’t have the time to go home over Easter, but I have friends here so it’s okay, I feel like I have a life here.”

Moyo, a third year Accounting and Business Management student, loves the creative spirit at DMU. She explained: “The mix of everyone together is so amazing. Everyone has that creative spirit. I’m so glad I came, the societies I have joined and the people I have met have added to my experience at DMU.”

First year Adult Nursing student Eniola feels that being at DMU is about variety. She said: “You can have a balanced life, you can enjoy going to university and you can also enjoy doing whatever else you want to do.”

To follow the vloggers’ stories make sure you subscribe to the DMU YouTube channel.