Nohaa Donia

How did I get into Psychology?

My first encounter with Psychology was during my A-levels, where I had an amazing teacher who made me absolutely love the subject. However, my curiosity for human behaviour began long before that, since a young age, I’ve always asked “why?” Why do people act the way they do? Why are personalities so unique and varied? As an emotionally expressive and extroverted person, I’ve always been fascinated by human relationships and emotions, and Psychology perfectly matched that curiosity. It allowed me to take knowledge beyond the textbook and apply it to everyday life.

I’m also someone who loves exploring multiple areas rather than focusing on just one, and the University of Birmingham has truly nurtured that broad interest. The variety of modules offered each year has allowed me to dive into different areas of Psychology and discover how interconnected they all are.

Why did you choose Birmingham?

I joined the University of Birmingham through the Pathways to Birmingham programme. Although I completed Pathways activities at other universities too, I found Birmingham’s programme much more engaging. Like many Birmingham students, I was also captivated by the beautiful campus which felt genuine, cozy and welcoming, and I could easily imagine myself studying there for years.

The course structure stood out to me compared to other universities, and the diversity of the student community was another big reason for my choice. As a Muslim student, I was drawn to the strength and inclusivity of the Islamic Society, which plays a significant role in supporting the wider community. I had actually engaged with them before even starting university and made friends who assured me I wouldn’t be walking this journey alone. Fast forward three years, I’m incredibly pleased with that decision and grateful for the friendly, family-like environment the Islamic Society has built with the support of the Guild and the University as a whole.

How have you found managing your time?

My time management skills have gradually improved over the three years I’ve been at university. The Psychology course itself is very well organised on Canvas, with content clearly laid out. I always know what I’m expected to learn in each module and what’s considered desirable or encouraged, which makes planning my time much easier and helps me stay on top of my learning objectives.

As a Birmingham Scholar, I completed six sessions with the Academic Skills Centre, which I found incredibly valuable. They supported me with referencing, academic writing, and even some of the statistics and maths skills required for my course. That support really helped me prepare for assignments in advance, rather than leaving things to the last minute and feeling stuck.

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), led by higher-year Psychology students, also made a huge difference. They shared practical advice on approaching challenging modules and planning for assignments. Their insights helped me break tasks into smaller sections, understand common difficulties, and estimate realistic time frames for each piece of work. This experience taught me how to adjust my time management strategies depending on the type of assessment, which made a big difference in avoiding both delays and burnout.

One key piece of advice I’d share is to create a timetable at the start of each semester. Include all your assignment deadlines, volunteering commitments, and any part-time work so you can plan your time effectively from the start.

Nohaa’s Top 3 Tips for Prospective Students

1. Make sure you feel comfortable, welcomed, and that you truly belong at the university you choose.
2. Explore the campus services available whether for work experience, wellbeing, or career support and make the most of them. You’ll find opportunities beyond your course alone.
3. Attend as many open days as possible at different universities. Compare the pros and cons based on what matters most to you and reach out to current students or teaching staff to get a real sense of the campus and course environment.

What are your future career plans after graduation?

I genuinely love the campus and the wider university community, so I’d love to work on campus after graduation to give back and further develop my skills. Looking ahead, I’m particularly interested in organisational, educational, and occupational psychology and honestly, I can’t choose just one yet! I plan to pursue a master’s degree to explore these areas in more depth and, by then, I hope to have a clearer idea of which path I’d like to specialise in.

What’s your favourite memory at UoB so far?

Honestly, every day I’ve spent here holds a special memory for me. But if I had to choose a few highlights, my top three would be:

• The day I found out I’d been assigned to the dissertation group with my favourite lecturer.
• Being invited to represent the Impact Challenge organised by the Careers Network at a council meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellors, and Heads of Departments, it was an amazing honour to be with then in one room.
• Every Discover Islam Week and Community Iftar during Ramadan, organised by the Islamic Society. Those events truly embody the sense of belonging and togetherness that makes UoB so special to me.