MSci in Chemistry with Biomedicine 2017 (2:1) University of Oxford.
“Don’t chase success, do something you will enjoy and be the best in it. Success will chase after you”. This was the best advice I’d say I ever received till date and was said to me when I was an 11 year old girl with a lot of passion for school but no idea how to channel it. I held onto those words dearly growing up which inevitably have led me to the position I am in today. I have always been told to follow my heart and do what I enjoy thus the reason why I chose to pursue Chemistry at university and now a career into teaching.
It was the unwavering faith my teachers and lecturers had n me, that I have been able to achieve the academic success I have till date- so you can say my teachers inspired me to be the best, to do anything I put my mind to and to achieve my potential.
During my first year as an undergraduate, I became involved in running an outreach STEM summer school for the gifted and talented students from the poor socio-economic boroughs. It was then that I truly appreciated the significant role in raising pupil’s aspirations to motivate them to follow their dreams. I could see by just giving these students praise, showing them science was actually very applicable to daily life, the student’s confidence levels increasing. It was during these sessions that I truly appreciated how I can make a difference in someone’s life, providing me this an opportunity to give back to the community by passing on my passion for chemistry to students through innovative teaching and encouragement.
The PGCE course was the route that appealed to me the most. The PGCE course not only allows you to build and establish your practice through school placement, but also gives insight into the pedagogy behind teaching.
Alongside my UCAS application, I applied and was successful in being awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry Scholarship. One of the most rewarding benefits of this scholarship was the opportunity to undertake professional development courses at the National STEM Learning Centre in York. These courses were very enjoyable but also very informative in aiding my professional development as well as my pedagogy. One of the highlights of these termly meeting was meeting the scholars. Making new friends and sharing out experiences. I would definitely recommend applying for the scholarship for not only the finical support but also the added guidance needed to persevere through the PGCE course.
The common question I have been asked about the application process and going through the PGCE is “Is it as hard as everyone stays”. My answer to this is that the most important thing to remember is why you chose the profession to being with and hold onto that reason. You will have good days and bad days but reminding yourself what your goals and inspiration, staying organised will truly make this year truly rewarding.
