Arpit

What are the best things about Surrey and your course?

The best thing about Surrey and my course was the perfect balance between theory and practical experience. The course was not limited to classroom learning but involved regular use of labs which made it more engaging and applied. Working in these labs helped me connect what I learned in class. 

In addition, the 24-hour library access was one of the biggest strengths of the University. It gave students a reliable and peaceful space to study, collaborate, and work on projects at any time.

What facilities did you have access to during your studies?

During my studies, I made full use of the University facilities that supported both my coursework and research. I often used the library silent zone and the dual monitor system, which made studying, coding, and data analysis much faster and more efficient. 

I also had access to the Human Insight Lab, which was essential for my dissertation work. In addition, the study rooms were very helpful for group projects and case discussions, creating a productive and well-balanced learning environment.

Why was access to the lab so beneficial?

My dissertation examined whether redesigned statistical visualisations, such as violin and dot plots, help people interpret data more accurately and with less mental effort compared to standard histograms. The study combined behavioural data, including accuracy and response time, with physiological data from eye tracking and heart rate sensors to measure cognitive load.

Access to the Human Insight Lab was extremely beneficial because it allowed me to go beyond traditional survey-based analysis and capture real behavioural and physiological data. Using equipment such as Smart Eye Aurora for eye tracking and Polar sensors for heart rate monitoring, I could measure how people actually interacted with visualisations in real time. This helped identify not just whether someone answered correctly, but how much mental effort was involved.

The lab environment provided a controlled setup where lighting, screen calibration, and sensor accuracy could be maintained consistently, ensuring reliable results. It also made it possible to synchronise all behavioural and physiological data through iMotions software, something that would not have been achievable outside the lab. 

Overall, having access to the lab transformed my dissertation from a standard behavioural study into a detailed multimodal analysis that provided stronger, data-backed conclusions.

How was the academic support?

The academic support during my use of the lab was excellent. Dr Andy Hill provided constant guidance from the planning stage to the final analysis. He helped me structure the experiment, calibrate the eye tracking and heart rate sensors, and interpret the data accurately. His feedback was detailed and practical, which made a big difference in improving the quality of the study. Whenever I faced technical or analytical challenges, he ensured I had the right direction to resolve them quickly. The overall support made the entire process smooth and academically enriching.