Behind Every Kick graduate shares her experiences of university life
Life moves fast!
It seems like only yesterday we first met Ava and her year 10 teammates on the Behind Every Kick programme at School 21 in Stratford. Back then, we were blown away by their commitment to creating an inclusive community netball club, Newham Unity, in east London. Five years later, we catch up as she's halfway through her politics and sociology degree at the University of Edinburgh and busily packing for a year abroad in Sweden.
Behind Every Kick (BEK): How has your summer been?
Ava: I've been pretty busy! I did a month-long internship at a non-profit called London Clean Air. They put on educational sessions for schools and businesses and have a project called BeeLine, which uses rewilding to increase biodiversity and green space in the city. I was then in Italy for a couple of weeks, attending a community academy that promotes social justice through ecological change. It was something I wanted to explore as a potential avenue after Uni. I'm interested in learning about eco-feminism and finding feminist solutions to the climate crisis. I don't speak Italian, so it was a real challenge, but it sparked a lot of questions for me and was a great experience. Also, on my course at Edinburgh, you can get credits for attending summer internships. But that means I have to write down all my reflections, which means constantly asking: why did you do this, and what does it mean?!
BEK: It sounds like you've had some real adventures. Casting your mind back two years, how was it moving to a new City for University?
Ava: I remember A Level results day so clearly. I was incredibly nervous before getting my results. I think I was sick after every exam! But it turned out to be a good day [Ava is being typically modest. She got four A* grades]. I had applied to Cambridge, and when I didn't get an offer there, I thought about taking a year out and reapplying. But through Behind Every Kick, I got to speak to someone who'd studied at Edinburgh. Their advice really helped me. They explained how things worked there and that I could do a year abroad during the course. That was something I really wanted, and it 100% turned out to be the right decision to go there. I didn't know anyone else in Edinburgh. I'd never even been to Scotland! Train tickets are so expensive. My experience of Edinburgh before the start of term was watching a YouTube video of the bus tours people do in the city!
BEK: How did you make friends and deal with homesickness?
Ava: It's not like school with different cliques, which is really good. But I definitely suffered a bit of imposter syndrome. I felt like everyone was cleverer than me and that I needed to try and learn everything - it took me a long time to figure out that's impossible. Looking back, I wish I'd joined a society. I'd encourage people starting Uni this year to do that. I was overwhelmed by how many there were, and there was a cost to joining, but I think those people who did found their community more quickly. Talk to the person sitting next to you in lectures. That's a good starting point. It's so hard for everyone at first. Everyone is in the same situation and wants to make friends in those first few weeks. Trust me, you'll find your people! And remember, you don't have to stay friends with the first people you meet - you can ditch or remain. Although, in my case, I ended up moving in with the two friends I made in the first week.
BEK: How has it been managing working part-time with your studies?
Ava: At first, I was worried about missing out. Some students are in a different situation and don't have to work. They have more time to study and socialise. Those guys were generally the ones who were able to join societies. But I'm so glad I've had to work while I'm here as I've learned so much from having a job. Being on time, dealing with bosses and speaking to people with different perspectives. It's easy to be in a bit of a student bubble, but I've found my community more through work.
BEK: How did you find a job?
Ava: I tried applying to loads of things through Indeed but wasn't getting any replies, so I printed my CV out and started handing it out in restaurants and pubs. It's scary, but people really don't mind you doing that. That's how I got my first job in a restaurant. I also joined loads of Facebook chats and applied to anything on there. That led to my job at the pub, which I absolutely love. It's a real local with regulars who have been drinking there for years and years. On my second shift, one of them got stabbed in the cheek outside, but honestly, everyone has been lovely. Some of them have baked us cakes or bought us food for dinner. People are so friendly. You can tell those students who have worked and those who haven't. I think it just gives you an appreciation and respect for full-time workers. Interacting with people I'd never have met has been one of my favourite things about my job.
BEK: What's been the biggest challenge you didn't expect about student life?
Ava: Managing a budget and looking after yourself is hard. I ate so many baked beans in my first year. I was really frugal because I knew I had to make sure I had enough money each month for rent. You find your own system that works for you. My way of doing it was to see how many tips I got. When the tips were good, I had more to spend when socialising. It's really empowering now to see how far I've come.
There's no one checking up on you. It's really down to you to learn and look after yourself. Looking back, when I felt a bit alone in the first year, I should have made more of the support available from lecturers and student advisors. You are paying a lot to be there, and they are there to help. That's a big thing I've learned. Ask for help when you need it. It takes real confidence to ask for help or advice, but that's what university and internships are for. It's not about being perfect. If you knew everything already, you wouldn't need to be there.
BEK: So, tell us about Sweden?
Ava: I can't tell you why I chose to go there. Lund is a small city, so it will be quite a change from London and Edinburgh. We looked at Sweden on our course, and I was interested in how they do things. I was keen to be somewhere in the EU, and I'm lucky I've got a German passport - which I'm a bit stressed about as I need to renew it! I'll need to get on Duolingo as I can't speak Swedish. I don't want to do the typical thing we all do of relying on them speaking English, although I know everyone will be flawlessly fluent there!
I don't think there's much netball in Sweden. Maybe I can introduce it to them. Although they do play korfball. Have you heard of it? It's like netball, basketball and handball combined. I think it comes from the Netherlands. All the nerds play it, so I'm super excited to give it a try.