News Students Navigate Geography Pathways at University 04.06.2020

Five ex-Collyer’s students have ‘virtually’ joined ten current first year students and their Geography teachers to share their experiences of studying Geography at university and the UCAS application process.

This event was originally planned at Collyer’s but moved on-line after when the country went into lockdown. The 5 ex-students who kindly gave up their valuable time to help were: Josh Barnett (University of Exeter), Bradley Burke (University of Oxford), Amy Clement (Royal Holloway, University of London), Adelaide Hitchings (University of Southampton) and Katie Peters (Loughborough University).

They were joined in the session by Kate Walters (Head of Geography), Noami Lask (Teacher of Geography) as well as the following current 1A students: Hamish Barnett, Miranda Bolton, Lily Kilner, Archie Mariner, Jess Martin, Suzie Meeten, Ned New, Tash Sharpe, Mia Tikvicki-Lee and Hannah White.

Kate Walters said: “The five ex-students all spoke eloquently and enthusiastically about their experiences of their degrees, and we heard about fieldtrips in Cornwall and Italy, studying for a semester in the Netherlands, and exciting topics that have been learned about, including ‘Imaginary Geographies’ and how different geographies pervade the content of so many films that are made.”

Noami Lask was delighted: “The students also told us about the exciting opportunities they have grasped at university including running, surfing and yoga, GeogSoc clubs, volunteering with Enactus and the National Trust, and even walking to the Base Camp of Mt Everest to raise money for charity!

“In addition the students were given an insight into gap years and travelling to New Zealand, plans for future Masters courses, and possible career paths including the Foreign Office, a humanitarian aid organisation, working with GIS, and conservation work.”

‘Top tips for success’ were also shared about the UCAS application process, ranging from what to include in a personal statement, how to choose a university that is right for you, and what to look out for in a great Geography course.

Vice Principal (Curriculum and Quality) Dan Lodge said: “We are hugely grateful to Kate and Noami for creating this platform for higher education advice and guidance.”

Deputy Principal Steve Martell said: “Massive thanks to Josh, Bradely, Amy, Adelaide and Katie for helping to inspire the next generation of talented geographers. They are all wonderful Old Collyerians.”

Kate Walters added: “This was an extremely useful and inspiring experience for those Collyer’s students about to embark on what can be quite a daunting process, especially when ‘live’ Open Days are not currently possible.”