Dena

I’m Dena, and I am studying the Foundation year counselling and mental health and wellbeing.

What motivated you to study this course?

Struggling with my own mental health while witnessing my family go through difficult experiences has impacted me. Seeing the positive effects of counselling and how much it has helped them sparked a strong interest in the subject for me

Did you have any concerns or barriers when thinking about joining your course, and how did the university help you?

My main concern going back into education was my IT skills, they were practically nonexistent, and I had never written an academic assignment before, so I wasn’t sure I could manage it. That’s one of the reasons I chose the Foundation Year instead of going straight into an undergraduate degree. I was also worried about returning to education later in life. However, I quickly realised there are many mature students, so I never felt uncomfortable or like I didn’t belong. In fact, most of my group were mature students too, which really helped me settle in. As for IT, I’ve had a lot of support from Mike, Jade, and other students. I’ve been working steadily to improve my skills, and although I haven’t used the IT mentors yet, I plan to attend some workshops now that my studies for this year are finished. I want to keep building on what I’ve learned.

What aspect of the course do you enjoy the most?

I'm really interested in the counselling side, especially learning about the different approaches. I also appreciate the sense of community at the university, it's a place where you can build friendships and access a lot of support.

How are you finding your tutors, and the university in general?

I still get a bit lost around the university sometimes, especially when rooms change, but overall the experience has been really positive. My tutors have been brilliant and incredibly supportive. I especially enjoy Mike’s teaching style, it’s laid-back, yet you still learn everything you need to. It’s completely different from the strict and rigid education environments I’ve experienced before; here, it feels much more open and natural.

Then there's Jade, who is absolutely fantastic, she’s so kind, and you feel completely comfortable talking to her. Everyone has been really approachable and supportive. Frankie has also been very helpful. Honestly, everyone I've met has been lovely.

What advice would you give anyone considering studying your course at Birmingham Newman?

Just go for it. Even though I’ve had my ups and downs and moments where I didn’t feel good enough, I’ve made it through. If it’s something you’re interested in and you’re feeling unsure, just give it a try. The support at University is there when you need it.

Honestly, I wish I had done this sooner. I’m really glad I chose Birmingham Newman and that I stuck with it, even when I felt like an imposter. I didn’t give up and I had the support throughout. It’s been such a rewarding experience all around.