You gain much more than a degree at university – you build skills that'll support you through study, work and beyond. In this blog, Student Ambassador Sofia shares what she's learned while at St Mary's.
As a second-year student in the course, I think it’s safe to say that my degree isn’t 'essential', per se. It’s what I would call a 'passion' degree, something only people who are crazy enough to pursue a job in the arts would do. It’s a degree that doesn't lead to a straightforward career path as soon as you complete it. It requires the aspiring artist to actually learn something if they want to pay their rent with their passion. My fear going into university was that I would end up shifting paths and settling for something more 'stable' like becoming an accountant or something like that, instead of the writer I've always dreamt of being.
My fears were thankfully put to rest once I began at St Mary’s, and were replaced with many things I never knew I needed to learn. Here are some of the new skills I've gained.
Confidence
I was a shy kid. Home-schooled through the COVID pandemic and an introvert by nature, there was very little hope for my social skills growing up. I entered uni this way. Scared, anxious, and inclined to make awkward comments that no one knew how to respond to. I can confidently say that, although I still make the awkward comments, I’m no longer scared or anxious. I'd say that's the biggest thing I've gained (outside of academic and professional knowledge) so far. University has been a safe environment for me to experiment. Not only with my academic and artistic ideas, but with who I am and how I interact with others.
It’s a lot easier to be comfortable in your skin when you’ve been able to take it out for a test run and see if all the wheels and buttons work, before committing to it. The people I've met at St Mary’s have been so welcoming, the are so kind, that being in that in-between phase of not-an-adult-but-not-a-teenager hasn’t felt so daunting, and that’s hard to find sometimes.
My first day at St Mary’s I was terrified. My first class was in Current Writers and Writing and we were asked, right off the bat, to write a small paragraph and read it to the class. To make a long story short, I did write the paragraph, but I never read it out. The teachers lovingly and patiently explained we had to get used to this, reading out our writing was a big part of being a professional writer after all. However, in my head, amidst all the 'why would a teacher do such an evil thing' and 'what's the best way to feign a stomach-ache in moments like this' thoughts, a small corner started to shift when my classmate, Lily, read her paragraph out. Bravely and confidently, she raised her hand and read her paragraph in a strong voice. She was the only one who did so and was met with applause after she was done. The first time I read anything out was probably five weeks later.
Now, nearing the beginning of my third and final year of university, reading my stories out, receiving and giving critiques, is something nearly compulsive. It's made me more open and explore new things, and have the confidence to put myself out there.
Professional skills
Throughout my time at St Mary's, my grades have improved by roughly 20% (yes, I counted) — and I can confidently attribute that to my professors. Every teacher is passionate and genuinely eager to help with any area of doubt. St Mary's students also have access to the if they want help with their writing, be it academic or otherwise.
For me particularly, the course lead for creative writing, , has been invaluable. He's taught us some of the most important skills a writer needs. Plot, prose, and most often neglected, the ability to remember that writing is a business. We're not only being instructed on how to become good writers, we're being taught how writers make money. Translation rights and how to send a pitch as a freelance journalist, are all really important if you want to make money from your writing, and this information can be hard to find.
Through modules on poetry, journalism, screenwriting, and more, I've learned and experimented with many of the different types of writing, and learned what's needed to become a professional in each area.
Workshops are another invaluable part of the course — and yes, they're as terrifying as they sound. Everyone shares their creative work and takes turns giving feedback. It's a delicate balance: too polite and no improvement is made; too brutal and you're left holding back tears. Our professors have taught us to tread that line well.
Networking
While at St Mary's I've learned to network, both professionally and personally. I don’t think I need to explain how important the connections a person makes at university are. I’ve mentioned a couple teachers and classmates already, but they really are central to a good learning experience. Finding people that 'match your vibe' is an important part of being able to achieve big and fun projects, and at St Mary’s, doing so has been easy and natural.
Beyond friendships, it’s also worth mentioning the various opportunities I’ve had to meet professionals in the field, be that through trips, events (like the ) or guest speakers. I’ve attended lectures, conferences, and events hosted by individuals whose experiences are extremely relevant to the work world I want to enter.
Last thoughts
A degree can teach you many things. Much of it's the academic and theoretical knowledge needed to achieve your career goals. However, students also learn the necessary skills to live life to its fullest. How to find like-minded people, how to put yourself 'out there', and most importantly, how to make enough money to pay rent.
Making art takes a lot of courage. Everything you make is an extension of your mind, and who you are. A story I write reflects what thoughts linger and bounce around in my head, and anyone looking closely enough can find me in everything I've ever created, including this article. Art also takes courage to make because any criticism passed on is a criticism of you. The biggest lesson I've learned in these two years is that it's always worthwhile to create, despite the courage needed to do it.
Discover life at St Mary's
Sofia's experience is just one example of what university life looks like here. Find out more about and what to expect as a student.
Interested in following a similar path to Sofia? Explore our and find out how to apply.