Creative Writing (BA Hons)
My decision to choose the University of Gloucestershire was based on its good reputation and the fact that it was local. The impression I gained from the open day was that there was a rich and dynamic environment. The day itself was a bit of a whirlwind but everyone was so helpful that I got a good grasp of what to expect from university life.
I find Cheltenham to be a beautiful place with a strong history and culture. I think that the annual festivals – science, jazz, music and particularly the literature festival) hold a strong appeal for students as well. Within the university there is scope for extra-curricular enhancement such as teaching experience, which I found to be extremely valuable.
As an undergraduate, I regularly attended the open readings of creative work which were held at a local pub. These were fantastic nights and really helped students to bond around their work.
The high points of my time at the university were discovering avenues that I hadn’t known I was interested in and then finding the research and work produced from exploring them extremely fulfilling. I took part in the student mentoring programme in my second year and assisted in a school in my third year because I wanted potential employers to see that I had some teaching experience. Graduation was fantastic – a huge sense of achievement.
The course enabled me to gain a much better understanding of what I’m interested in and where it could take me, which helped significantly in making choices about my future. My confidence in dealing both with people and pressure improved tenfold. This comes across well in the workplace and has helped me to advance.
I stayed on at the University following graduation to do my MA in Creative Writing because I felt that the specialism of my tutors was exactly what I wanted and that I wouldn’t find anywhere better suited to me.
Currently I am doing a PhD, which means self-directed research, a lot of writing and ever more reading. I also have a part-time job at a local theatre, where I discuss plays with customers, sell tickets and chase up reservations.
Qualifications are a lot of work packed into a small space of time that will last for the rest of your life.