Students are now bringing school halls alive once again, as term time starts afresh.

This year a number of the island’s young adults have started their next chapter at the University College Isle of Man in Douglas.

The Examiner visited the college to ask how students are settling in during their induction week.

’This is my first year,’ said Molly Bentham, 16, from Ramsey. ’Everyone here is very welcoming and the lecturers are all amazingly overqualified for the job.

’I did my GCSEs at Ramsey Grammar, but decided to come here instead to do A-levels as there are more options throughout and because the subjects I wanted to do clashed as they were in the same block. Also I didn’t enjoy my time at school as much as I wanted too.

’I’ve noticed that college gives you more freedom to do what you want than school. You can wear what’s not considered smart and call lecturers by their first names, which I really like.’

Abby Fisher, 18, from Douglas, said: ’I’ve been here three years and I only just started the art course a year ago.

’People are more mature here and really nice. If you don’t understand something, you can easily ask a lecturer.’

James Unsworth, 16, from Douglas, has started his first year at the college studying hospitality and catering.

’I didn’t get the grades to get into sixth form unfortunately,’ he said. ’My dad has been a chef for 30 years and he always told me not to do it, but I’m front of house at The Chesterhouse Hotel and I’m really good at it.

’I thought to myself "over the next few years do something to help you continue along this path".

’I’m also in the police cadets and I’m thinking of joining the police when I’m 18, but I’m not sure just yet. I need to do something to fit that two year gap.’

Jasmin Samson, 18, from Douglas, said: ’This is my first year on the hospitality and catering course. I was on the creative media course for two years at the college, but I didn’t see myself going anywhere in the artistic industry. I thought I could use my artistic capabilities with catering.

’It’s been pretty good at the college. I’ve learnt a lot of new things and met a lot of new people.’

Daniel Brew, 18, from Douglas, said: ’I did two other courses and I’m now going into my third year with the college, studying hospitality and catering. College is a bit more flexible. I didn’t do well in school, but as soon as I came here I did. I found I had a lot of anxiety at school and couldn’t cope.’

Ben Clarke, 16, from Douglas and Tom Hall, 17, from Castletown, are starting their first year at college studying engineering.

Ben said: ’I’m feeling good and the teachers seem good.’

Tom said: ’The facilities are quite high tech and modern. I’ve just come from sixth form take route through college and then go to university. I did a year of sixth form didn’t like it as much as I wanted. I’ve wanted to study since I did the subject in GCSE and I think studying at the college will be a great way to go forward with it.

’I felt more comfortable on my first day here because you don’t have to wear school uniform and get treated like an adult. That’s how I’ve felt straightaway.’