We are taking part in University Alliance’s myth-busting campaign to help those who don’t think university is for them to change their perspective and take the leap to apply. Fourth-year Fashion Management Rachel Johnston shares her experience at RGU as someone who didn’t have a clear idea of the path she should follow.
My unique path into studying at RGU
Throughout my time at secondary school, I couldn’t quite decide what I wanted to do after I left. Every week, I’d have a slightly different plan to tell my parents about. I studied a broad range of subjects during my final years and achieved seven A’s and a B at higher and advanced higher before leaving age 17.
Leaving right in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, as we all know, things were a little bit different. I undertook a year of work experience in the accounting and finance sector before finally deciding to pursue both my passions and head to university to study fashion business, and I haven’t looked back since.
This decision, however, did not come easy, as I’m sure all university students will agree. I worried a lot about how I would make friends or fit in in a completely new city. Little did I know the university experience is different for everyone, and I think a lot of my preconceived ideas were squashed about students all being the same. There is such a diverse mix of both people and activities to fill your time with.
Letting go of my misconceptions about university
If I had to try and describe my university experience in five words, I think I would say incredibly impactful, so valuable, transformative, memorable, and very, very fun. University, isn’t for people like me, is often something that would play over and over again in my head during my time at school. I was a really, really academic student, but with a passion for more creative and contemporary subjects, I just couldn’t imagine how I would fit in with the traditional idea of university I had in my head.
I had lots of ambitions like my friends for higher education, but I just didn’t feel it was meant for me. It seemed that university was a path for those who had their life planned out, for those with clear-cut careers and a clear-cut path.
But learning more about university life as I began researching, and now within my final year, I know that this is not the case. My experience at RGU has not just been about lectures and textbooks. It’s become a place to dive into all the things that I’m passionate about and prepare myself for a strong career within the sector. I’ve worked on photoshoots, built portfolios, and worked alongside industry. I’ve taken part in photo shoots, built portfolios, and worked alongside industry partners. It’s been about crafting my own career, even if it doesn’t look like everybody else’s.
Learning from my experience at RGU
I think if I could start my university studies all over again, the biggest piece of advice I would give myself is to not compare my journey to others. It’s completely natural to look around and see people who seem to have everything figured out. But the truth is that everyone’s experience, just like university, is different.
One of the biggest worries I had before starting was how I would fit in. I didn’t see myself like the traditional idea of university that I’d seen on social media or in the movies, and I was anxious about feeling left out.
The truth is, is that every student is on their own journey, facing their own challenges and discovering their own passions. University isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience, and that’s okay. I quickly learned that university is full of people from all walks of life, and throughout my three years so far, I have made lifelong friends from all ages, and from all across the world. During my time at RGU, I have become involved in societies and activities I didn’t know existed. I am the Communications Officer for the University’s Motorsport Society, and this is just another example of how diverse interests people have, and also another opportunity to interact with people from different walks of lives, and in this case, different degrees.
I think it’s also completely normal to worry about the jump from school to university, and it’s something that crossed my mind a lot in the build up to starting at RGU. The shift in learning can feel daunting, and I had heard so much about the change in structure from the typical routine scene of school. All I can say is that it is really different, but in the best way possible.
There’s a much greater emphasis on self-directed learning, and once you get used to it, it’s such an incredible opportunity to dive deeper into the topics and subjects that you’re truly passionate about. This change is also not something you have to navigate alone. There are so many resources like academic support sessions, library sessions, and even mental wellbeing and counselling support. Universities and your tutors understand that this transition can be challenging, and there’s people coming from all across the world, and they can offer support and help, just like teachers in school.
My advice to prospective students
To anyone who is thinking about going to university, all I can say is do it. It really is as simple as that. There will be challenging and tough times, but it has been the most worthwhile decision of my life, not only for the academics, but for the friends and experiences that I’ve made along the way that have made it such an incredible three years so far. University is a place for you, no matter your interests, background, or experience. Good luck!
Rachel Johnston
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