I want to progress onto the BA (Hons) Top-Up year because visual merchandising is something I have become really passionate about. I especially enjoy looking at retail interiors, displays and how a shop can be transformed creatively to give customers an experience. I feel this is an area where I can really express myself and use my creativity.
Staying close to home is also important to me. Being able to study near my family and friends means I still have that support around me, while also being able to continue with my part-time job. Balancing work and university isn’t always easy, but it has taught me a lot about managing my time, staying organised and keeping going when things become stressful.
For me, completing a BA Honours degree would mean so much more than simply having a qualification.
When I was younger, I struggled a lot with reading and writing. During primary school I fell behind other children my age, and I eventually attended an SEN school. At that point in my life, I don’t think I would ever have imagined myself getting this far in education.
That is why graduating with a BA Honours degree would be such an emotional and proud moment for me. It would represent everything I have worked through and how far I have come. The things I found difficult when I was younger have not stopped me from wanting more for myself.
My journey has also taught me that I learn best when I can be creative. I love sketching, experimenting with materials, researching ideas and turning something that starts in my head into something visual. Mind maps are particularly useful to me because they allow me to get all my thoughts onto paper and start making connections between different ideas.
I also enjoy group critiques. At first, having other people comment on your work can feel daunting because creative work can be very personal. However, I have learnt to listen to feedback and use it to make my work stronger. I also enjoy giving constructive feedback to other students and seeing how everyone’s ideas develop differently.
I know the Top-Up year will be challenging. It is the final year of the degree, so I understand that there will be more independent work, bigger projects and important deadlines. I know there will probably be moments when I feel overwhelmed, but I am ready to challenge myself and prove to myself that I can do it.
One part I am particularly interested in is the dissertation. I would love to explore equality and inclusivity within retail. I think retail spaces should make different people feel represented, included and welcome, and I would like to explore how visual merchandising and retail design can play a part in creating that feeling.
I am also excited about developing my research into my final practical work and eventually presenting it at the end-of-year show. Being able to stand there with a finished project that represents all the work I have put into my degree would be a really special moment.
I know the creative industry is competitive and that many people are trying to achieve similar careers. That motivates me to keep developing my skills and gaining as much experience as possible. Completing my BA Honours degree would give me another step towards the career I have dreamed about.
Most of all, I want to do this for myself.
Going from struggling with reading and writing as a child and needing extra support in education to being in a position where I could graduate with a BA Honours degree is something I would be incredibly proud of.
My journey hasn’t always been straightforward, but creativity has always been something I can come back to. It gives me a way to express my ideas and show what I can do.
I want the opportunity to finish what I have started, walk away with my BA Honours degree and be able to say to myself: I did
