Class of 2020: Hattie Leigh

Finishing university is a difficult time for any student. Our alumni usually continue with further study, go travelling, or find job opportunities. However, finishing university during Covid-19 has left the Class of 2020 with a very different experience of finishing their degrees. In our Class of 2020 series, recent alumni discuss the impact of Covid-19 on their studies and future plans.

HATTIE LEIGH BIO

From Scarborough, Hattie Leigh attended York St John university to study Education Studies. She was awarded a First Class degree with honours.

Whilst at university, Hattie enjoyed taking part in numerous activities with societies and the university itself, including agreeing to be photographed for the prospectus.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT YSJ?

So hard to choose! Probably when we walked the York walls during the Learning Outside the Classroom module and then got ice cream.

WAS THERE A MODULE YOU ENJOYED THE MOST IN YOUR THREE YEARS, AND WHY?

I loved my dissertation module. I was so scared to do my dissertation as I thought that it would be really difficult to write ten thousand words and I was worried that I might get bored after doing it for over six months. But I loved writing it so much and I’m so proud of my research.

WHEN CAMPUS CLOSED AND IT WAS ANNOUNCED TEACHING WOULD CONTINUE ONLINE, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?

It was frustrating, however, since I was in third year most of the content had already been taught and we didn’t have all that much left to cover so most of it was independent study anyway. That being said, it was tricky not being able to have tutorials or speak face to face with my lecturers.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE FINISHING YOUR DEGREE DURING LOCKDOWN? DID YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS AND IF SO, DID ANYONE HELP YOU OVERCOME THEM?

It wasn’t too difficult really. The only thing I struggled with a little was not being able to speak face to face with my lecturers. The weird thing was not saying goodbye to anyone, although lectures would have dwindled off anyway so it perhaps wasn’t quite as strange as it could have been.

HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE HANDING IN YOUR FINAL ASSESSMENT?

I had a barbeque in the garden.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW, AND HAS COVID-19 AFFECTED YOUR PLANS?

I’m working as a chef in a day nursery which is what I had planned to do anyway!



Enjoyed this post? Keep an eye out for the next installment in our Class of 2020 series. Why not read Amy’s post next?

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