I chose to study at Brock because I wanted the freedom to take responsibility for my own learning. I know I thrive when my achievement is in my own hands, so I knew college would be better for me than sixth form. I also felt that Brock could be a fresh start for me where I could meet a range of people and find some good friends – I was not disappointed.

I went on several extension courses and trips, including HE+ and Reading Scholars and trips to Oxford and Cambridge universities, all of which I found enriching and exciting.

One of the things I have found the most inspiring and motivating is the way I began to see how my subjects overlapped. I was able to build up this map of knowledge and understand the links and space between Art, Philosophy, English Literature and Media. This was exciting to me because I felt I was studying to expand my knowledge rather than simply to pass exams.

My philosophy teacher, Sam Christmas, was so helpful and supportive to our whole class, putting on extra revision sessions out of her own time and always making herself available to answer questions after class. Our Philosophy class felt very much like a community.

The most important thing I have taken away from Brock is the friends I have made here, as well as the ability to think around my subjects, largely thanks to extension courses such as the HE+ scheme. I have learned so much from the diverse range of students at college. I also went on the Hollywood trip with the media department, which was pretty incredible because I would never have been able to do that kind of trip independently at my age.

I’m going on to study Fine Art at the University of the Arts London in Camberwell at foundation level. I intend to use this foundation qualification to unlock access to Fine Art degree courses in London. I also plan to travel around Europe in the gap between my foundation course and degree, as well as learn German and hopefully live in Berlin at some point.

What I want to do as a job is still unclear to me, but I do know that I want to continue to study and expand my knowledge and skills for as long as I can. I want to be surrounded by art and provide enriching and challenging experiences for people in a way that will create reflection and change in their lives. What shape this will take is not yet obvious to me, but as long as I’m on the path to that, I will feel fulfilled.