The opportunities I have gained through saying yes!

In September 2023, I joined the University of Birmingham and began reading Policy, Politics, and Economics.

With 500+ societies, many high-level sports teams, and a range of academic opportunities, there are certainly lots of opportunities available. While it can appear daunting and overwhelming to have so much choice, some of the best advice I accepted in my first few months at university was to say ‘yes’ to whatever opportunities came my way and give things a go. Through saying yes and being out of my comfort zone, I was able to meet lots of the people closest to me as well as gain confidence through new experiences.

In my first few weeks of university, I joined the politics and dodgeball societies, played netball, and gave volunteering at a homeless shelter a go. I also tried rowing, and despite being awful and never returning, I met one of my closest friends at university from this experience! I later went on to go to Italy with dodgeball and enjoyed volunteering so much that I now have a committee role as Treasurer for the Action Against Homelessness Society!

In terms of the academic opportunities I said yes to, being part of the politics and marketing societies, I have attended some pretty cool guest lecture speakers, including hearing from MPs and career professionals, which have all helped me work out what I want to do after university.

In my first summer of university, I even had a politics internship in Saint Lucia for four weeks. I found this thanks to the incredibly helpful careers department here at the university, and it remains one of the best experiences of my life!

Overall, the University of Birmingham is amazing at offering all of these opportunities- not all universities do- and I feel very lucky here to have been pushed out of my comfort zone.

University is completely what you make it, and I would recommend that prospective students also say yes and try new things!