Where to even begin? I joined The Academy in S1 back in 2015 and left in the summer of 2021, proudly holding the title of Head Boy. I am delighted to be contributing to Academy Made and I hope you enjoy my ongoing journey as I take my first steps beyond The Glasgow Academy.
I had a very different last year at school from what you would might consider to be normal. At one time in life or another, we’ve all experienced some kind of variation of the saying “improvise, adapt and overcome” but for me, that was the motto for the entire year. As you’ll all know, many activities and events couldn’t be held in person due to the pandemic, and so myself and my fellow pupils had to get creative, and find new ways of doing things remotely. Whilst the situation wasn’t ideal, as a school community we really made the most of things and it presented opportunities that we otherwise wouldn’t have had.
My goal was to make the most of things, and to prepare as best I could for that next step in life – university! I’d always wanted to study Computer Science. Technology is something that I’ve always had a passion for. I spent a lot of time looking at different areas but found myself immersed in tech-related content on YouTube, and then I got into building computers. Fast-forward to today and I am now studying Computer Science at the University of St Andrews, which is where my new journey begins.
Initially, St Andrews wasn’t on my radar. I spent the first months of my last year preparing to apply to Cambridge. I knew it was going to be a long and challenging process, but it was a challenge I was ready for. Most of the work was preparation for the admission test and of course, the dreaded interview. As I was preparing, other offers started to come through. Firstly from Edinburgh University and then St Andrews – somewhere that had merely been a back-up option throughout the application process.
I didn’t know much about the town or the university, but having looked into it more and more, it grew on me. Unfortunately, I heard back from Cambridge and wasn’t successful. I was disappointed having spent so much time preparing, but didn’t think on it for too long as I had other great options.
As soon as I got the rejection, I immediately knew St Andrews would be my choice.
Although it was daunting moving away from home, living in university halls can be one of the most exciting things about your first year at university. Living with complete strangers is definitely a new experience, but some of them may even become life-long friends. It was quite nerve-racking waiting to find out who you’ll be living with and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I kept a positive mindset and thankfully things have turned out nicely (so far). As a young adult, this is the time when you suddenly find yourself bestowed with freedom and independence. I’m all for it, but at the same time, I do miss my family.
Once I received my accommodation offer, everything became more clear. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place, decisions were final and the next few years of my life were firmly mapped out. At first, I perhaps under-estimated how much hard work would lead up to that moment, but finally I was able to get excited about the next steps.
Summer flew by and life in the big wide world had well and truly begun. I very much look forward to seeing what the future holds.