Rachel Taylor BSc Chemistry, 2016

Graduate

Going to University was an amazing experience and I’ll look back on making lots of new friends as well as all the hard work.

Why did you want to study at the University of Southampton?

I’m the first in my family to go to university. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to go, it wasn’t a long held ambition, but Chemistry was my best subject at school so I thought I would go to my local university.

What were the highlights of your degree?

It was hard work but very rewarding. I won the AE Clarence Smith award for outstanding performance in my bachelors degree and a gold medal for achieving more than 75 per cent in my marks. I received my prizes at Graduation, my family are very proud of me. Going to University was an amazing experience and I’ll look back on making lots of new friends as well as all the hard work.

What are you going to do now?

I’m not sure where my degree will take me now. I’m planning to take some time out and maybe go travelling then apply for a graduate scheme job, perhaps on the finance side.