Hannah Percival

Posted on: 19 November 2024 in Posts

Communication and Media and Business Studies (50:50 joint honours)

Why did you choose to study your chosen course at the University of Liverpool?

I have always been interested in the creative, promotional side to business and knew that if I paired my degree with media, it would complement my interests really well (which it has)!

How has University been different from A-levels

I've had a lot more independence and seen that the lecturers trust you a lot more than A-Level lecturers to get the work done. I like how social and un-social university can be. You can turn up to a lecture on your own, because it’s a new module and you don't know anyone, but within a day or so, you would have met so many people and start to form a great routine with the lectures/seminars and start to make friends with like-minded people.

What has surprised you most about Liverpool?

I couldn't believe how close everything is together! I love that the campus is all in one space, the city centre is only a short walk, and where I live is only a 10 minute walk away too! I also love how friendly the city is.

How has your learning been facilitated since coming to Liverpool?

I have been able to express myself in various ways - through varied assessments (presentations, group work, essays) to contributing in seminars - I used to be petrified about speaking out loud in class but it really makes such a difference to your learning if you put in what you want to get out. Lecturers can recognise this and help/support everyone to contribute and engage with the work.

What extra-or co-curricular activities do you take part in, and how do these affect your student experience?

I was an editor and Publishing Chair during all 3 years at University for the student media society. It is now called Liverpool Guild Student Media and it has helped me to get work experience for my SOTA300 module, I've met so many people as we have nearly 200 members and I got to know what the Guild of Students is all about and the support they can give as we worked really closely with them. As I am interested in journalism, I wanted to put some of my new skills from uni into practice which led to having loads of articles published on the website and advertised across social media, something which has been a great talking point during job interviews.

If you could go back, what advice would you have given yourself before going to University?

Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. At college/sixth form, you're used to the same people all the time. At uni, you meet new people every day as you choose different modules each year, your seminar groups change all the time, you have friends of friends who live in other places around campus etc. So, if you want to make friends to help with the course, have someone to sit next to in lectures or have as a genuine friend you can do 'out of uni' stuff - get talking, exchange names/numbers/Instagram handles and make new friends!