Alumni Spotlight - Shania Beaty
The study of social sciences aims to stimulate your curiosity about the constantly changing world in which we live and to equip you with the capacity to understand and critically analyse it. Preparing you for a broad range of professions – from social work to teaching, hear from one of our recent graduates about her time at Perth College UHI, studying for a degree in Literature.
Tell us about yourself?
Hi! My name is Shania and I am a 21 year old recently graduated student, from Helensburgh - which is a little town near Loch Lomond. I lived here with my mum, dad and brother before moving to Perth and moving in with my partner.
What course did you study at Perth College UHI?
I studied my bachelors degree in Literature.
When did you graduate?
I formally graduated in May 2020, but - due to current situations - it was actually a few months later.
How did you hear about Perth College UHI?
I heard about the college through UCAS when originally applying for my course, and decided to apply here as one of my options as I really liked the look of the course and the college.
What were you doing before you came to Perth College UHI?
I was finishing up High School in Helensburgh - which was not a fun experience for me. When I learned that I had the grades to leave a year earlier in S5 to do my degree, I jumped at the experience as I was very excited to get out of my small town and enjoy new experiences.
Why did you decide to pick this course?
It was a pretty simple decision for me in the end as I love reading! I debated back and forth between a few different subjects that in the end would result in a stable career. However, in the end, I chose to go with what I was passionate about - which I definitely don't regret.
What’s your favourite thing about this course?
My favourite thing about my course was that I could read a variety of different books that I normally wouldn't in my free time. Some of my favourite books have been from my course reading list, which I didn't expect at all. I also have to give a mention to my wonderful lecturers as, without them, my experience would not have been the same.
Were there any stand out/memorable moments from your course?
There have definitely been a few memorable moments in lectures where we would have some very amusing conversations about the books etc with the lecturers. I particularly remember an ice-breaker, where we all had to share our thoughts on how the world would end which turned into a pretty long conversation… well done to all the students who predicted a pandemic during that conversation!
What was a typical day at college like? How was your day structured?
I usually had around 6 hours of in-college lectures a week, as a lot of the reading and research was done at home. These 6 hours could be spread out over three days, or all in the same day, depending on your schedule. This determined the structure of my college day as some days I could be in for a simple 2-4pm class, and other days I could be in from 9am till around 3pm.
What did you like about the campus?
I particularly liked how all four buildings were all together on the one campus, so there was no commuting between buildings like other universities have. The student union building also was a favourite as I loved being able to have a coffee and catch up with some friends there, as it always had a very chilled vibe. I also stayed in the campus accommodation for my first year, which was amazing as it was right next to the main building so I could easily roll out of bed 10 minutes before a lecture and still make it on time.
What did you think about the style of teaching and the support you received from staff?
It was definitely a very different mode of teaching with some lecturers being in the same room and others calling in via video conference from places such as Inverness. However, I can't say it affected my learning or support at all, as all lecturers were easy to contact and it was a nice change to be able to talk and communicate with students from other Scottish colleges/universities, such as Inverness.
Did you enjoy studying at Perth College UHI?
100%, yes! I thoroughly enjoyed my course, and its layout. The lecturers were all amazing at their job, and I made some really good friends during my time here.
Would you recommend the course to prospective students?
Yes! It has been a great experience and has opened so many doors for me in terms of new and exciting career prospects.
Have you been cooking/baking anything nice since lockdown started?
I have definitely tried to bake a few things, however they haven't all turned out very well unfortunately. I don't consider myself much of a chef, but I did really enjoy my lemon drizzle cake I successfully managed to make.
Have you read any good books during lockdown?
A few good ones, yes! I really enjoyed Fitzgerald's classic ‘The Beautiful and Damned’. I also have been rereading a few old favourites such as George Orwell's ‘Animal Farm’ and C.S Lewis's ‘Narnia’ series.
How have you looked after your mental health during lockdown?
I definitely neglected my mental health at the start of lockdown due to my university work and dissertation, and it had a huge impact on me. However, since then I started taking more time for myself and definitely had a few pamper nights and treat days to make sure I was looking after myself and relaxing.
Who, or what, inspires you?
My family for one have always been so supportive and I admire them so much. My mum especially has been there for me more times than I can count, and she inspires me every day to be a kind and strong woman. My partner James also plays a part in this, as he is such a hard-worker and he inspires me to work hard and challenge myself throughout my everyday life.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I asked my family what I first wanted to be when I grew up, they told me that in nursery I had expressed a rather passionate interest in becoming a bus driver which couldn't be further than what I want to do now. I also remember wanting to become a teacher which I even considered over my time at university, however although it is such an admirable career, I decided to go down another path in the end towards Publishing.
What have you been up to since graduation?
I have mainly just been working for the time being over summer and catching up on some well needed sleep after a few dissertation writing all-nighters, as well as meeting some friends I haven't seen due to lockdown. However, I plan on doing my Masters degree in Publishing at Stirling University, starting in October, so I have also been preparing for that.
Any plans for the future?
I plan on getting my Masters in Publishing and making my way into the Publishing industry - possibly through an editorial or marketing route. As for location, I'd like to stay in Perth for another year or two, before hopefully moving to Edinburgh to pursue my career.
What advice would you give someone that is thinking about studying at Perth College UHI?
I would recommend Perth College UHI to everyone! The lecturers are fresh and interesting, the location is amazing, and the staff are wonderful. I recommend looking into the different courses the college provides, as there really is something for everyone. However, I would advise you make yourself familiar with the teaching styles for a few of the degree courses as they can differ from the typical university, which is not a bad thing!
