Supported Progression Summer School
When originally thinking about university, I planned to study in London or further away from home, but that was until I came to Durham to visit my parents and fell in love with the city. Completing Supported Progression summer school in year 12 along with the prestigious reputation, style of learning and opportunities for sports and societies put the university as my top choice. I decided to study law as the subject interested me from taking English literature, history, physical education and a year in biology for my A-levels and attending a taster lecture from the university sold me on the style of teaching, and it offers many career prospects.
Foundation year was the answer
I would be lying if I said the foundation year was my first option when applying to university, but it was the best decision. After a mix-up with my A-Level grades, I was unable to go straight into first-year law and the university offered me the foundation year as they saw my potential from past assignments and an interview. When reading about the programme, I knew it was what I needed to settle myself into university life, find my confidence and develop my skills further for starting first year.
A great start
The course is separated into four strands depending on the subject you want to progress to with a mix of tutorials, seminars and lectures but the classes are smaller, with about 20-ish students allowing you to gain personalised feedback and know everyone in your strand. The course gave me an insight into what I needed to develop while learning about areas outside of law that have been useful for my degree, including how to write a statistics report, conduct research, theories and styles of learning as well as completing a mini-dissertation assignment at the end of the year.

Travelling
Another benefit, and a highlight of my year, was getting the opportunity to attend a poster conference to share the research I had completed on the course in the Czech Republic at Olomouc University. We spend a few days in Prague learning the culture and being tourists before going to Olomouc to network with the students there and attend the conference. This trip was something I was nervous about, and I nearly decided not to go, but it was the best decision to put myself out of my comfort zone. I have developed my academic skills, been to a new country, and met lifelong friends who I otherwise would not have met, and I am even sharing a house with one of them next year!

Much more than academics
Outside of academics, taking the foundation year enabled me to experience university life before starting my degree as you are still a full-time member of the university and access the same opportunities as any other student. I joined three Team Durham sports where I am now Vice Captain of one of them, became a student ambassador and have represented the university on open days and residentials, met lifelong friends and joined societies!

Foundation Year was right for me
I wish I had known about the foundation programme sooner and definitely would have considered it when applying as it gives you the time to assess if university life or the course you want to go into is really for you. It also for me, was a blessing in disguise, as I dealt with some personal issues outside of university and this year I have not missed out on a big chunk of my degree and had the close-knit support that helped me along the way to develop myself further and build my confidence.
Discover more
Find out more about studying Foundation Year at Durham here
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