Eithne’s Story

“I remember feeling nervous when I first started at College, so I like being able to give new students a friendly face to welcome them.”

Course(s) studied: A Level Biology, A Level Psychology, and BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Music Performance (Rock & Pop)

Eithne joined Truro College from Penryn College, studying A Level Biology and Psychology alongside a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Music Performance (Rock & Pop). The sciences were intensive, and Music gave her something different to look forward to. “Music was where I had the most fun and met some of my closest friends,” she says. “It was a great escape from revision, and the lecturers were wonderful.”

She became a Student Ambassador because it was a great chance to develop her personal skills while meeting prospective students. On open days, she showed people around the College and talked to parents and students about courses and life at the College. It built her confidence, too. “You speak to all kinds of people, and you learn to stay helpful and calm when it gets busy,” she explains. She has now completed her fourth summer working at Truro College and would highly recommend the role. “It’s great fun, it looks good on a CV, and you get to connect with and inspire prospective students.”

After leaving College, Eithne took a gap year. She spent nine months working as a Customer Service and Sales Executive for a London-based print company, then travelled for two months. “It gave me a reality check about the world of work,” she says. “I earned money to travel and still had savings for university.”

She has also come back to help at Welcome Week. “I really enjoy the busy atmosphere of talking to new students and helping them find their way around,” she says, and it’s a chance to catch up with some of her former lecturers too. But it’s the memory of her own first days that matters most to her. “I remember feeling nervous when I first started at College, so I like being able to give new students a friendly face to welcome them.”

Eithne is now studying for a BSc in Psychology at Cardiff University. Next year she plans to complete a clinical psychology placement before finishing her undergraduate degree. After that, she hopes to take a year out to travel as much of the world as she can, then return to complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy).

For students starting at college, her advice is simple: “Choose subjects you genuinely enjoy.” She describes Truro College as a great College. “The staff are incredibly supportive and there are lots of opportunities.”

For those thinking about university, she recommends going to as many open days as you can and making sure you understand what your course involves. “University is always hard work, but it’s much easier if you enjoy your course.” She also suggests thinking about location, how easy it is to get home, how far your accommodation is from university, and the societies on offer. “They can make a big difference to your university experience.”

Find out more about our upcoming Open Events here: Events Archive – Truro & Penwith College