Finding my people through pixels: how a gaming chat made uni feel like home

 

Discovering the gaming pathway 

“I’ve been playing games since I was five, but it wasn’t until college that I started thinking about it as a career. At school, I took computer science and media studies, and then I found out I could do a BTEC in games. It gave me proper, hands-on experience and a head start compared to more theory-heavy A-levels.

When I started looking at universities, Staffordshire stood out straight away. It’s actually the UK’s largest university for games-related courses, with amazing staff and resources. It felt like a place where people really got the industry and knew how to help students break into it.” 

Toby on campus at the University of Staffordshire.

 
 

Settling in one message at a time

“Going to Staffs meant moving quite far from home, which was a bit daunting, so I made the most of any opportunity to get to know the University before I arrived. I attended an open day, and then had a 1:1 tour of the campus with some student ambassadors - one was studying games so could tell me all about the course, and the other was really sociable and gave me an insight into life on campus. 

I also joined Staffs CampusConnect, and speaking to people in the online community helped for sure. I got chatting with other students, and there was a dedicated group for my accommodation too. My flat was off-campus, so knowing a few people ahead of time made it all feel a bit less overwhelming. I still remember pulling up on move-in day, knowing my family were about to head off and leave me for a few months. Within 20 minutes of arriving, I messaged some people from the app and we all met downstairs. That made such a difference.”

 

Toby and friends karting in Stoke - something they enjoy doing when not studying!

 

The power of shared interest groups 

“One of the best things about CampusConnect has been the gaming group chat. There’s a big community of games students at Staffs, so the group’s always been lively. There’s something about niche groups that makes it easier to speak up - you already know you’ve got something in common. You can post a message about a new release or a game event, and you’re way more likely to get a response. 

That shared interest gives people a reason to start talking - and those conversations often turn into real friendships. Some groups move from online to hybrid, with people meeting up in person or hosting online events together. It’s been great for prospective students who want to feel part of something before they arrive, particularly international students who are navigating a lot of change.”

 

Toby and flatmates on a day trip to Manchester.

 

Giving back through games

“Before I got to uni, I’d already started finding ways to give back to others interested in games. One of my jobs was as a teaching assistant, working alongside a guy called Keith Phillips who used to run a games club at my school. He was setting up workshops at a museum as part of Digital Writes, so I got in touch and offered to help. I ended up running sessions with younger kids, showing them the ropes and encouraging them to explore the world of games.

Now at Staffs, I’ve found a new way to support people starting out - this time as a CampusConnect ambassador. It’s a weird time before you arrive, and sometimes you’ve got questions only another student can answer. People ask about everything from societies to what a typical weekend looks like. I love being able to share aspects of uni life and help people feel more confident. It’s good to know I’m helping people in the same position I was once in.”

👋 Want to keep up with Toby’s journey? Follow him on LinkedIn or check out his portfolio.

 
Lauren Valentine