Recently, we caught up with Juliet Ware, one of our amazing Student Ambassadors at the University of Essex in Colchester. Juliet studied Sociology (Including Year Abroad) at Essex and is graduating this month. But, before we have to say goodbye, Juliet has kindly shared with us her journey into higher education.
Then: Juliet’s school days
As Juliet was about to leave school, she felt university was strongly encouraged by her college and lots of her friends were applying to universities. But Juliet wasn’t sure if university was for her, didn’t feel ready and thought it was a lot of money if she didn’t know what to do. So, she took some time to figure it out. She spent this time working, gaining valuable work experience and even worked in a summer camp in the US.
Juliet has credited her parents and upbringing in her decision to go to university. They taught her to ask questions, dig deeper and instilled a sense of social justice, encouraging her to put her all into everything. This contributed to her eventually applying to do Sociology at university.
Juliet knew she really enjoyed sociology at sixth form and attended an Open Day at the University of Essex. The university is known for its rebellious spirit and the famous sociologists that have gone through its campus squares. Since first considering university at school, Juliet also realised she would like to go to a university closer to home and Essex allowed her to do that. At the open day she visited the campus, met with the lecturers in her department and found the campus ‘felt right’.
Now: Juliet’s transition to university
As she is coming up to the end of her university career Juliet has reflected on the highlights of her time at Essex. She had the opportunity to travel to Canada as part of her degree for her year abroad – saying this was the best time she had whilst at university and when she felt university was ‘a place for me’. This was also where Juliet discovered how independent she had become outside the comfort of home and Essex. There were barriers to her going, the recent COVID-19 pandemic and apprehensions from the university – but she was determined to go and so glad she did!
There were also challenges along the way, just after her year abroad Juliet received her ADHD diagnosis. But her diagnosis made things make sense, she had been struggling with concentration and motivation at university, and she hadn’t felt particularly academic at school. This has however led her to explore neurodivergence more as part of her dissertation, interviewing people who support neurodivergent women in prison. Doing this research was another highlight for Juliet.
Looking ahead: Juliet’s future
Now that Juliet is close to graduating from university she is looking ahead to her future career. She is inspired to work in Youth Work and Youth Justice. Working in roles that support young people to prevent them from entering the criminal justice system. Her degree allowed her to lean more into criminology modules and spurred an interest in criminology.
Juliet’s advice:
Juliet has been an ambassador with Essex for a few years, supporting us and the Outreach team when we invite young people to the university. She feels through being a Student Ambassador she has made an impact, getting students thinking ‘no I can go to uni’ who might have thought otherwise. She has spoken to hundreds of students about being a university student so I asked Juliet – what would she say to someone who is considering going to university.
“Think about if university is something you want or need to do. Don’t just follow your friends, if your friends at school are going to uni, it might not be for you. Do your research, go to Open Days. It’s your choice at the end of the day. If you feel unsure, you can always wait. Uni is great but it is expensive.”
Make Happen are here to support you in this big decision. Read through our useful guides and play on our Make Happen Academy to find out more about financing a degree, student life at university, and apprenticeship options.
By Emily Barter, Outreach Assistant at Make Happen