As I begin my role as a Graduate Intern at Hello Future, I look back at my higher education journey with amazement at all the exciting, and challenging, experiences university gave me. Growing up with a love of reading and a strong admiration of Hermione Granger, it is, perhaps, unsurprising that I studied for a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in English Literary Studies. But how did I get here?
*Flashback*
Throughout Year 12, I visited a lot of university open days. I visited Edinburgh, York, Newcastle, Northumbria, and Durham, and enjoyed each university for its unique personality. However, Durham University stole my heart; I loved their English department and their library (which, apart from floating candles, came close to a Hogwarts-inspired scene). The English department staff were open-minded and enjoyed discussing books, creative writing, and the social importance of literature, just like me.
Once I had written my personal statement and submitted my UCAS application at the beginning of Year 13, I received a reduced offer from Durham University as my first choice, bringing my required entry grades down from A*AA to AAB. My reduced offer came as a result of my home postcode, which was classed as an area with an historically low participation in higher education. Even so, my personal statement played an important role in receiving my reduced offer. I had tailored it to Durham University’s English Studies course by talking about the books I had read outside of school; by emphasising my active participation in local reading schemes; and by expressing my critical opinions on broader literary topics.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, my results day was online, but I got the grades I needed, and I was enrolled as a first year Durham University student of English Literary Studies! In September of 2020, after packing up a small bungalow’s amount of stuff, I moved into John Snow College and began my first year as an English undergraduate student.
My undergraduate degree was rather chaotic due to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning that I struggled to join many societies. However, I really enjoyed trying new things, like going to the gym and expanding my food palate. I had never tried halloumi until I went to university and had a near life-changing experience in consuming it for the first time, soon falling in love with it, especially in a deep-fried format.
At the beginning, I found my undergraduate degree really difficult. The lecture style learning, independent research, and volume of reading was confusing for me. It took me a lot of hard work as well as trying new learning styles and essay writing techniques to improve my academic work and understand the content properly. By the time I submitted my undergraduate dissertation, however, I had thoroughly enjoyed my lectures, reading, and research, and knew that I wanted to do a master’s degree in English Literary Studies at Durham University.
My advice to anyone considering higher education:
- Be brave!
- Research courses and opportunities in fields related to your passions, but also try something new!
For advice or helpful resources, contact us or check out the events we have coming up near you.