Scholarship Profile – Edward Mullin

Since starting High School I have always had the drive to study at a university and establish myself as an academic. However it was very important that I could find a university where I would fit in socially and enjoy my time there. Sheffield University ticked all the right boxes for me. Its friendly attitude and supporting manner impressed me right from the first open day and I felt right at home. The detailed explanation of my course modules also made me feel that I would enjoy the course, as I knew what to expect.

This Scholarship has been incredibly helpful. Studying Biomedical Science has also given me a greater drive to go on and study Medicine. This is potentially eight years of university study and this Scholarship has eased my financial worries. I now don´t have to worry about current costs, for example excess bills of accommodation, text books, or stationery. My current lap- top is now five years old, and it may not last much longer. Living in Sheffield is also a fair distance away from my home town Cardiff, and a train ticket will also be expensive. This Scholarship has made it a lot easier to travel back and forth without me having to think of the travelling costs.

This Scholarship has enabled me to relax and not have to think about future financial problems too much. Raising money is not as much of an issue and I can now concentrate on other activities such as volunteer work; sport societies e.g. rugby, squash and badminton; the Welsh Society and concentrating hard on my degree. I feel that I have more time to contribute to the University as a means of repaying for its generosity and for all of the opportunities it has given me.

My first year of Biomedical Science has been very interesting. I have learnt a myriad amount of information on the human body and its developments. I have found every aspect of the course enjoyable and although challenging when having to revise it, I find that I can recall many facts, which should be very useful in the future. Before university life, my education was taught in the Welsh language. As passionate as I am about my heritage and my country, I´ve considered it a necessity to learn a degree in English for my career in the future. The transition of learning between these two different languages was a bit of a challenge, but that only lasted a couple of weeks as I quickly settled down.

Donations are very important to the University as it allows skilful students who cannot necessarily afford to be there the chance to enjoy their university life. It has certainly helped me a lot and I am incredibly thankful for it. In this day and age, it is much harder for us in the younger generation to acquire a job to even help raise money for the increasing tuition fees. This is a problem that affects many students across the spectrum and will be a greater challenge to those who cannot even think about university without a job. Knowing this, it is good to know that there are people who have targeted this problem and donate to those who need a little more help.

I´d just like to thank everyone who has given me this opportunity. I´ve already found this donation incredibly useful and will strive to do my best. I know the encouragement that I have to help the University is also in the minds of the other recipients of your donations. Thanks again.