“I turned around and all three of my lecturers were right behind me, so I gave them a hug.”
Course studied: A Level History, Psychology and Philosophy
Former school: Mullion School
What’s next: Progressing to Falmouth University to study Dance Choreography
My story: For Hermione, results day at Penwith Campus was a moment of celebration shared with the people who had supported her throughout her two years at Truro and Penwith College, part of another year of results continuing the College’s 30-year legacy of transforming lives across Cornwall.
“I don’t really know, it’s quite difficult to describe, because I think it’s just the support from all the lecturers. In opening my results I turned around and all three of my lecturers were right behind me, so I gave them a hug. It’s just so nice to know there’s mutual support there.”
Hermione studied History, Psychology and Philosophy, choosing Penwith Campus for reasons that went back years before results day.
“It’s a smaller campus. I came from Mullion, so it’s a smaller school. I’ve got a lot of friends who went to Mullion too.”
Having first visited as a Year 9 pupil, Hermione says looking back on how far she’s come feels almost surreal.
“It must be weird to reflect back on where you were at Mullion.” “Yeah, it’s quite bizarre.”
Her results are made all the more remarkable by the personal challenges Hermione faced throughout her final year, challenges that shaped how, and when, she was able to prepare for her exams.
For students following in her footsteps, Hermione’s advice is to make the most of every moment, and not to leave revision until the last minute.
“Just sort of enjoy it, ’cause it does go quite quickly. It’s that sort of cliche that everyone says, but it does just go by so quickly. Really appreciate each moment you’re in, ’cause it changes quite a bit.”
Her family, interviewed alongside her, added a practical piece of advice for first-year students about how they use their time.
“We’ve had a bit of a joke about people calling it ‘free period’ instead of ‘study period’. In the first year it’s all a little bit easier, and you just do your summer exams and that’s all fine, but then it does ramp up later in second year. I think if people realise they’re not free periods, they’re slow periods, they should really be maximising that time.”
With her results secured, Hermione is now heading to Falmouth to study Dance Choreography, a course she has already spent time preparing for, both on campus and among future course mates.
“I’ve been around the campus a few times. I’ve already met quite a few people who are on my course and who are going to Falmouth anyway. The lecturers there are so lovely.”
Asked what she’ll carry with her into the next chapter, Hermione’s answer points straight back to the community she found at Penwith.
“Probably just the love and compassion everyone has for each other, I think that’s quite clear here.” For Hermione, College has been defined by the people around her, lecturers who stood behind her on results day, friends who made the journey from Mullion alongside her, and a sense of care she says she’ll take with her to Falmouth, another story shaped by more than 30 years of Truro and Penwith College helping students find their place.
