When I was applying to university, I prioritised three main factors: the course offering, student life and accommodation options. Loughborough stood out for several reasons.
It had the highest student satisfaction score among the universities I was considering, which was important to me because I wanted to study somewhere students genuinely enjoyed their experience. I also attended several Open Days, where staff and students were approachable and always willing to answer my questions. When I was offered a place and got my first choice of accommodation, it felt like everything had fallen into place and confirmed that Loughborough was the right choice for me.
Loughborough ultimately offered everything I was looking for a strong Economics course: excellent opportunities outside the classroom and a close-knit campus community where I felt I could thrive both academically and personally.
I chose to do a Foundation Year because I had not studied Economics in secondary school and did not take it as part of my Baccalauréat. I felt that a Foundation Year would give me the opportunity to explore the subject and build a solid understanding before progressing to the full degree.
My Foundation Year was a transformative experience that set the tone for the rest of my time at Loughborough. Academically, it provided a useful balance between familiar and new material, some modules built on concepts I had already encountered at school, which made the transition to university study more manageable, while others introduced me to subjects such as Economics and Accounting for the first time. Initially, I found some of the new concepts challenging but the support from my lecturers helped me keep up and gradually build my confidence.
On a personal level, it was my first time living away from my family, so I learned how to manage my time, balance my studies with extracurricular commitments and become more independent.
I found the transition to the full degree much smoother than I had expected. I arrived in first year already familiar with the campus, university systems, support services and study expectations. The Foundation Year had helped me develop effective study habits, so the step up in workload and expectations felt manageable rather than overwhelming. I was also fortunate to already have a strong network of friends and connections already in place, which made the experience feel far less daunting than it might otherwise have been.
Perhaps the biggest advantage was the confidence I had built during the Foundation Year. Going into first year, I felt ready – not just academically but personally. That sense of readiness made all the difference.
As part of my studies, I completed a placement year split between two organisations, which provided me with experience in both higher education and the financial services industry.
For the first six months, I worked as a Placements Intern within the Placements Team at Loughborough Business School. This was an incredibly rewarding role because I could see the direct impact of my work. Many of the students I supported had little or no prior work experience and were unsure about their career goals, so working with them to build their confidence, strengthen their applications and ultimately secure placement offers was one of the best aspects of the role.
For the second part of my placement year, I joined HSBC as a Human Resources Intern. This role was very different from my experience at Loughborough and gave me exposure to a global organisation operating across multiple countries and time zones. One of the highlights was meeting senior executives across the business, including HSBC's CEO and learning about the different career paths available within the organisation.
These experiences gave me a much clearer understanding of professional life. While university develops your academic knowledge, a placement year teaches you about responsibility, accountability and the importance of collaborating with people from different backgrounds. It also helped me develop the confidence and workplace skills needed to transition successfully into full-time employment after graduation.
I now work within the UK Sales team of a global multi-specialist asset manager. It is a fast-paced, people-oriented role that combines communication, relationship management and commercial awareness. My Economics degree prepared me well for this career. Many of the concepts I studied including financial markets, economic trends and the factors that influence investment decisions, are topics I encounter and discuss regularly in my day-to-day work. The degree also strengthened my analytical thinking and problem-solving skills both of which are highly valued in the asset management industry. The Foundation Year was the starting point that made all this possible. Without it, I would not have had the academic foundation that enabled me to succeed and thrive while pursuing my degree.
The most valuable thing I learned during my time at Loughborough was to be willing to put myself forward for opportunities, even when I doubted whether or not I was good enough. After choosing not to apply for several leadership positions because I was afraid of failing, I eventually decided to go for one – not only was I elected but it also became one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Loughborough. It taught me that you are far more likely to regret the opportunities you do not take than the ones you do.
I also learned that there is no shame in asking for help. I found lecturers, personal tutors, the Students' Union and the University's wellbeing services to be incredibly supportive and genuinely invested in helping students succeed. The key lesson I learned is that people cannot help if they do not know that you are struggling, so do not be afraid to reach out when you need support.
Finally, I learned the importance of building connections with others. Getting involved in activities organised by your department, accommodation or student societies is a great way to meet people and make friends. In fact, the thing that I enjoyed most about studying at Loughborough was the breadth of opportunities available outside the classroom and the University's genuine encouragement for students to pursue them.
Throughout my time at Loughborough I held leadership roles, such as Vice-Chair of the International Student Network and School President for the Foundation Department, and I also threw myself into volunteering, being a member of the Loughborough Action Team. These experiences helped me grow in ways that extended far beyond the classroom. They pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me become more confident in myself and my abilities. Professionally, I developed valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, project management and stakeholder management, which strengthened my CV and helped me demonstrate transferable skills during interviews.
Most importantly, these experiences showed me that meaningful growth often happens outside the lecture hall. Many of the skills, friendships and lessons that have shaped my career and personal development came from saying yes to opportunities, getting involved and contributing to the wider university community.
One of the proudest moments of my time at Loughborough was winning the Students' Student Prize at graduation, an award given to a final-year student in the Business School who has gone above and beyond expectations. It felt like a meaningful recognition of everything I had invested in the University community over the years.
I am grateful to have completed my undergraduate degree at Loughborough as the people, sense of community and campus experience were truly exceptional and remain something I miss today.