Why did you originally apply to Birmingham?
I originally applied to UoB because it's a Russell Group University. My research also showed the Mechanical Engineering Department was one of the best in the UK. Additionally, I was aware of their collaboration with engineering companies and I figured it could provide a good platform for me to network and eventually secure myself a job after graduation.
What are your fondest memories of the university?
My fondest memories of the uni are those of me spending time with my friends. Especially after exams when you don’t have to worry about deadlines (except result day, of course)!
How did you grow as a person by coming to university?
As an international student originally from Nigeria, my level of independence really improved at the University. I got into UoB at age 16 and graduated at age 21 so I believe I really came into my own there. It was a great way for me to discover a lot of things about myself. I had access to so many people from different backgrounds that I was able to gain knowledge and experiences from and with. I also did an Industrial Placement Year which further improved my independence and self-confidence. I’m very proud of how I navigated and managed my years at Birmingham and I think the opportunity to have done so independently is partly responsible for how I’ve managed to cope with “the real world” so far.
What did you think of the learning experiences within the Uni?
I quite enjoyed my learning experience. I found the lecturers quite approachable, which is always useful. The course was not strictly theory based so we had design projects as well as laboratory sessions. There was also a bit of coding involved. So in all I think it was quite diverse, and I was able to gain a lot from it. Also the library is really good; I needed a specific reference book for my Final Year Project, and UoB was one of only few universities that actually had a physical copy available. That made my life so much easier, and I honestly would have struggled to finish my project if I didn’t have access to that book.
What inspired you most during your time as a student?
The people I was surrounded by at uni were really great sources of inspiration for me. My friends were all really hardworking, and they all had ambitious and practical goals they were working towards. It makes it so much easier to stay motivated when the people you spend time with have the same type of energy and zeal as you.