What our students say

Why did you choose to come to Nottingham?

I loved the opportunities that Nottingham gave me about the course. I enjoyed the idea that I could just pick the sciences that I wanted to study as opposed to alternative Natural Sciences courses at other universities where you study all the sciences in first year and then differentiate. Secondly, I fell in love with the big, green campus, amazing sports centre and the city itself – it all seemed like the perfect fit. 

Why did you choose to study Natural Sciences?

I chose to study Natural Sciences because it allowed me to study Psychology in first year at university level whereas I had never previously been able to take it in school. I also liked the idea that I had more control over my degree as I can choose the sciences and the modules that I find interesting. I also like the fact that you can study a topic but from two different scientific perspectives; I feel like I’m able to bring multiple different approaches to similar topics.

What advice would you give someone starting university?

I think everyone’s major concern is feeling lonely when they come to university. My personal advice would be to absolutely throw yourself into everything, there is so many opportunities right on your doorstep. My mum told me to ‘put my positive pants on’ which just meant that instead of viewing coming to university as a scary and daunting thing, view it as a brand new chance and get excited about the new people you’ll meet, things you’ll do and places you’ll go – I have to say it worked. 

What aspect of the course do you enjoy most and why?

I’ve enjoyed starting Psychology. In my first year that was the subject I was most intrigued by and I honestly picked it to give it a go for a year and then drop it in favour of Chemistry and Biology however I was stunned by how much I took to it and now its my favourite subject at university. Doing Biology alongside has also helped because I feel like my Biology modules have helped prepped me for the more Neuroscience/Biological Psychology side of Psychology. My absolute favourite module to date is the Neurobiology of Disease module, I find it absolutely fascinating and really look forward to the lectures every week!

What do you do outside of the course and how has this impacted your university experience?

I really went for it when I first came to uni and signed up to everything. I (obviously) joined NatSciSoc so that I could bond with my course mates outside of the 9-6 day. In my first year I also played Netball for Nightingale Hall and NatSciSoc and join Social Swimming. I bought a gym membership and went to regular classes every week and also tried out Trampolining, Rock Climbing and Lacrosse through UoN Engage sessions.

I also managed to get myself a seat on the Natural Sciences Learning Community Forum which means I represent my year and am responsible for voicing any concerns students have about the course and working with the Senior Staff to come to a beneficial solution; this is a role I have continued into my second year. I was concerned about financing my way through university, so I got a job as an ambassador for UoN and now work on a multitude of events throughout the year promoting and representing the university.

This year, I am one of the Social Secretary’s for NatSciSoc and also represent the university as a member of the Women’s 2nd’s Water Polo team, a sport that I picked up this year as a complete beginner and now train four times a week for (and I absolutely adore it!) I think that by exposing myself to as many different experiences and societies as possible I have had such an amazing university experience and am now in such a happy place and feel really comfortable with who I’ve become. 

What are you thinking about doing when you finish?

Currently I’m planning a year out after university. I’ve always wanted to do a ski season, travel to Australia and work over the summer at Camp America. After that I don’t really know what I want to do – I’d love to work with people and travel at the same time however I’m equally excited by the uncertainty of what I’ll do.

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