Graduation is set to be an extra special day for Queen’s University student Jordan Wilson who repeated his A levels to pursue his dream of studying Chemistry.

Jordan Wilson from Enniskillen was disappointed when he didn’t get the grades he was expecting in his GCSEs and had to repeat a year for A Levels. After working hard, he secured four As and secured his place at Queen’s University to study Chemistry.

He is now graduating with a first-class honours degree and has applied to do a PhD in the development of drugs for the treatment of cancer.

Jordan says: “My message to those currently in school is, no matter what life throws at you, carry on you will achieve your dreams. I wasn't naturally smart, I decided to put hard work and effort and got the grades. So anyone with the right attitude can achieve what they want to achieve. Never give up.”

Speaking about his experience at Queen’s, Jordan comments: “The best part of my degree was that through my essential modules I got a wide grasp of the science and was able to cross link these skills across all disciplines.

“I really enjoyed the practical skills associated with chemistry. It is a different skill in itself, you can be good at the theory of chemistry but work poorly in the lab and vice versa but in the end to be a good chemist you need both skills. The school of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Queen’s does a fantastic job at teaching both.

During his time at Queen’s Jordan also joined the rowing club, competing in Ireland and the UK. He got through the the Rowing Ireland trials with the u23 lightweight squad.

Jordan says: “My experience at Queen’s has been spectacular. I have been able to achieve a first class honours degree and have managed to achieve a relatively high level of performance sport through rowing. It has been an amazing experience, I will remember my undergraduate years forever and look fondly back on these.

“My plan is now to carry forward and pursue my PhD. The reason for this is that I want to be able to make a difference to this world and developing anticancer therapies is such an important area of work.”

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