I may be wrong, but allow me to practise a little deduction here. There’s a chance that you yourself are a student belonging to the same University/ are about to join the University. You have been bogged down by some hear-say.
Let me tell you, that whatever a thing truly is, can only be ascertained for sure once YOU feel it, experience it, learn from it.
From my experience, it doesn’t suck. Big time. Whatever happens to you entirely depends on what you have done about it. If you are diligent enough, there is nothing that can stop you from achieving heights.
Strictness is a subjective concept. I find it fairly liberal. Others may/will disagree. Half of what people may call strict might probably fall into staying within one’s limits/expected standards of decency. I personally believe one should understand the culture of a new place, respect it and ensure one isn’t hurtful to the socially accepted norms in which the local ethos thrives – while still remaining true to oneself. Learn it, and thou shalt thrive :3