Sofronia Barton

How did you know that the University of Birmingham was the right choice for you?

Being from Birmingham, I could not ignore the opportunity to study at such an iconic Russell group university so close to home! It was the virtual tour and hearing about others’ positive experiences that confirmed this for me. The campus looked beautiful with many resources available, so it was easy to envision my student life there. I also love that the university has its own train station which, as a commuter, makes getting to campus very convenient and stress-free.

Why did you choose to study your course?

With no definite idea of which career path to pursue, Business Management with Marketing was perfect for me because it unlocks many doors. I loved that I could focus my course with marketing as this is the area I am interested in most. The course offered many opportunities to participate in group work and I liked the idea of being assessed through both exams and coursework. I also learnt that Birmingham has its own business school so I would have dedicated support throughout my studies.

What is student life like for you?

For me, student life is very vibrant and no two days are ever the same. It’s a good mix of academic and social aspects. There are always events happening on campus which provide good opportunities for me and my friends to take a break from studying. One of my favourites is strolling through the Artisan market which happens at least once every month. A typical day for me consists of attending lectures, grabbing a coffee from the library café, studying with my friends at one of the many study spots on campus and finally getting food from campus infusion.

What's your favourite memory of university life so far?

My favourite memory so far would be attending a sip and paint night with the Caribbean society. This was something I had never done before, so I loved the idea of trying something new. Everyone part of the society was very welcoming, and the night resulted in me meeting some of my lifelong friends. I was especially grateful for the chance to meet new people, besides just the ones on my course, as this was a big worry of mine due to being a commuter.

What advice would you give to current or prospective students?

I would say that in anything you do, get involved as much as you can! The university has such an amazing range of connections, opportunities, and resources that we can all benefit greatly from. The careers team were also really helpful in helping me perfect my CV, giving me tips for interviews and guidance in finding work experience and internships – so definitely make use of them. Overall, don’t forget that this is an experience so have fun and enjoy your time spent at university.