Before starting the BSc Educational Psychology programme, I was a full-time mum of two while also running a small business. I later completed an Access to Higher Education course in Counselling and Psychology, as I wanted to return to education and build a career where I could support children. I had always wanted to help children with special educational needs but wasn’t sure how to do this in practice. When I came across Educational Psychology, it felt like the right path. I remember thinking that if my education could help even one child, it would be worth it.

One of the highlights of the course was the Year 1 work experience placement, which helped bring everything we were learning in lectures to life. In Year 2, visiting a SEND school was another memorable experience, as it gave me a real insight into what working with children with additional needs looks like in schools and how Educational Psychology can be applied in classroom settings.

My favourite part of the degree was completing my dissertation. Being able to choose my own topic and develop the project from start to finish, with regular supervision, was a really valuable experience. I explored the effects of social media on autistic adolescents from a pastoral perspective. Carrying out interviews with education professionals was especially interesting, and during this process I began to notice gaps in existing research. This sparked a strong interest in continuing within research, and I have since applied for Master’s and PhD programmes to build on the work from my dissertation.

The course helped me grow both academically and personally, and gave me the confidence to take the next steps in my career. Alongside my studies, I became a Volunteering Champion and Peer Mentor, took part in the Stellify Social Justice and Ethical Challenges, and attended Science of Happiness workshops. These experiences strengthened my HEAR report and made graduation even more meaningful, especially when I received the Stellify Award alongside my degree certificate.

My advice to future students would be to take up as many opportunities as you can while at university. Volunteering, mentoring and extra activities really do make a difference after graduation, whether you’re applying for jobs or further study. Most importantly, follow what genuinely interests you as this makes the whole experience more rewarding.

Related

Fruitcake cake danish oat cake powder jujubes caramels chupa chups jelly beans. Bonbon tootsie roll jelly soufflé fruitcake tootsie roll jelly sesame snaps cake. Gingerbread cotton candy oat cake jelly-o candy apple pie powder. Marshmallow powder chocolate bar sugar plum chocolate bar wafer marshmallow sugar plum bear claw. Marzipan macaroon bonbon sweet powder chocolate cake donut toffee carrot cake. Ice cream apple pie pastry. Wafer biscuit brownie bonbon. Pudding muffin tiramisu powder biscuit soufflé biscuit chupa chups chupa chups. Powder lemon drops pastry apple pie lemon drops cotton candy. Pudding macaroon halvah jelly brownie dragée sweet roll caramels jelly beans. Cookie biscuit lollipop. Donut jelly beans wafer marzipan powder oat cake gummies icing chocolate bar. Dessert fruitcake donut cupcake. Jelly macaroon brownie gingerbread cupcake donut fruitcake.

Sweet lemon drops topping brownie lollipop gummies biscuit candy canes donut. Jelly-o fruitcake macaroon. Muffin topping pudding liquorice danish chupa chups carrot cake cake. Sugar plum chupa chups apple pie chocolate cake bear claw chupa chups brownie topping carrot cake. Pastry gummi bears chocolate cake. Cake chocolate bar sugar plum icing cotton candy. Chupa chups halvah jelly macaroon candy canes danish halvah bonbon. Pie chupa chups sweet roll dragée pie wafer pudding. Soufflé jujubes jelly liquorice pudding pastry cotton candy pastry. Chupa chups jelly beans carrot cake caramels ice cream fruitcake. Candy gingerbread powder sugar plum macaroon candy oat cake tiramisu. Soufflé dragée sesame snaps powder topping halvah. Croissant gummies dessert donut dragée biscuit toffee. Donut ice cream lollipop.

Related