As I am studying psychology, I have a great passion to help people. I strive so much to help others around me when I can.

I also have dyslexia.  Once I was made aware via the Queen’s application process that Queen’s has a Disability Service team, I got in contact with them and explained my situation, and they quickly made me aware of what help and assistance they can provide me to help me succeed.

Queen’s also has the One Elmwood Student Centre; (which I’ve dubbed the ‘Hub of knowledge’) and it is solely there to help provide students with a wealth of advice and guidance for any queries students may have, as well as providing students with a wellbeing service which solely provides students with the toolkit to help take care of their mental health throughout University.

To learn more about our student support visit: https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/

This was only one of the many opportunities the university has given me to develop myself personally, intellectually and professionally. Not only have I been taught by people conducting ground-breaking research, but I have also had the opportunity to travel internationally for recruitment fairs with my school, for example to Oslo, Norway. The social life in Belfast is also amazing, with great live music, cinemas, cafes, pubs and travel opportunities to help entertain you every weekend for all the time you spend in this buzzing and vibrant city. It also is a major plus point that Belfast has the lowest cost of living in the UK, making it easy to live comfortably as a student here. 

I decided that studying Psychology at Queen's was the only thing that I wanted to do. I applied and was lucky enough to be offered a place.  Once the A-Level results were out, I confirmed my place and couldn’t wait to start studying at Queen's in late September. I remember being so excited to start studying at University and to start university life. I was also a bit apprehensive about studying Psychology. I had never studied psychology before! I was afraid about being at a disadvantage before I started. I thought that everyone in the class would know a lot more than me and I was worried that I might not understand what was being taught. When I did start in September, I found out that most of the people in my class were in the exact same position as me; they didn’t study Psychology for A-Level earlier.

I was so thankful to all my professors, because they taught the topics assuming that the topic was new to everyone in the room. They broke down complex concepts into smaller pieces, which made them far easier to understand. My mind was quickly put to ease.

The staff members here within the School of Psychology are fantastic and their teaching is impeccable. Their lectures are enjoyable and they are always available after class to answer questions and to provide extra information. I am so impressed by the support that is available to psychology students at Queen's. If you do decide to study here, you will be given a personal tutor who you will meet with you in small groups every second week, they will help you out with your studies and help answer any questions that you may have. From my own experience, your personal tutor becomes a friend as well as a mentor. I genuinely feel proud to go to a university that cares so much for the academic and personal wellbeing of its students.

If I could give one piece of advice to future students, it would be, make the most out of every opportunity! The school offers its students so many different opportunities that they can avail of, for example research apprenticeships for those who are considering postgraduate study. Not only does this experience provide you with research experience, you also learn many new skills and develop strong contacts with other academics.

This year, I hope to graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I have had such a great time here at Queen's and have developed such passion for the subject that I would love to apply to do a PhD. I honestly couldn’t think of a better place that I would like to do it, than here at Queen's. 

I can honestly say that the past few years have been some of the best years of my life. For me, deciding to study psychology was the best decision that I have ever made.

I am so honoured to be Psychology student at Queen's and I know that I will always look back with a smile, when remembering my days here, for they have been very happy memories.

Belfast was quite different from what I expected prior to coming here, and I quickly learned to love the city. I like that it's a small city that's easy to get around, and nature is always close by. There are many cafes and restaurants and I think the amount has increased since I arrived here, which is great!

The cultural scene is also something I enjoy, with many music and arts events going on. Because I like to travel and go road tripping, the location is also perfect, as it gives easy access to various stunning places such as the Wild Atlantic Coastal route (Giant's Causeway), Donegal (great if you like surfing!) and Dublin.

I also have to mention that the university buildings and facilities here are stunning, and really give a Harry Potter-feeling (they even have a Narnia room in the library!) So if you like a beautiful study environment, Belfast would be the city for you.

So far the course has been fascinating, encouraging me to think of current social and political issues in new ways and developing my understanding of the mechanisms by which change is achieved.

I’m undertaking the course part-time, and work full-time along-side this. I’m an active member of the Green Party in Northern Ireland. I’ve been successful in applying for a one-year placement as a social researcher in a Government Department for next year, which will allow me to utilize the skills I have developed as a psychology undergraduate and political psychology student, before returning to complete my final year in the Political Psychology program. I believe that studying Political Psychology will open a new world of employment opportunities for me.