Student Spotlight - Leah Hutchinson
If you’re a young person and not sure what route to follow, Next Steps 2 Learning will enable you to gain the confidence and qualifications to progress in your career.
The course will allow you to work towards SQA qualifications while gaining valuable experience of college and university life. You will also be supported to progress on to further study or employment. Leah shared her experience of how the course has helped her confidence flourish ⬇️
Can you introduce yourself?
Hey, I’m Leah Hutchinson and I’m from Perth.
What course are you studying at UHI Perth?
At the start of summer, I finished Next Steps to Learning in the New Opportunities Department and it was my first full year at college.
How did you hear about UHI Perth?
The team at Scott Street put me in touch with Sammy Martin the Transition Officer at UHI Perth. She worked with me to help ensure I was able to get on with people in my class as I was shy at school. I joined the link course, and I had the opportunity to meet other people who might be on my course. It really helped me gain a little confidence and meet new people. The link course also gave me a chance to plan my bus journey to and from college at a less busy time.
What were you doing before you came to UHI Perth?
I attended Bertha Park High School until 5th year.
Why did you decide on this course?
Because I really didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I was encouraged by Sammy as she informed me that Next Steps would allow for an introduction to different college subjects and that it would be a great path for me.
What is your favourite thing about course?
Meeting people and making friends. This course has also given me confidence in myself to be able to do the work set. It’s been good to meet lecturers Jo, Suzanne and Fiona to help me too.
Has there been any standout/ memorable moments from the course?
I felt a great sense of achievement when I passed my talk for communications - my talk was about social media. I was really anxious, and my heart was beating fast in my chest, but the other students helped me calm down, as did Jo and Fiona.
What knowledge and skills and experience have you gained from your course that will help you when you leave UHI Perth?
I’ve got the qualifications I need to go onto a childcare course next year. I’m much more confident now working in small groups and chatty with my classmates. I’ve made friends this year that I will keep in touch with. I am also much more independent travelling on the bus and around Perth.
Have you undertaken a placement or any work experience whilst at UHI Perth?
No, but we have had local organisations in to meet us like SDS, Mindspace, RASAC and the Fire Service. We have also been to the YMCA and a careers fair.
Have lecturers been supportive during your studies ?
Yes, they have been a big help. They are really nice and when you are worried about something they will help you. It has been much better than high school for me.
Any other achievements you have gained on your journey?
More self-belief and much more confidence to try something new and different.
What do you like about campus/ facilities ?
It’s really great to have the learning zone to hang out in our break times. It gives us a space to meet each other, play games and chat and get to know each other. Once you know people it would be great to have more opportunities for things like table tennis, pool or table football.
Have you enjoyed your time at UHI Perth? Any highlights?
Really enjoying it. It was good to have the link course, and I have made really good friends. I’ve enjoyed ICT and Comms.
I’ve also enjoyed the visit from the Mindspace team for mindfulness activities - we used air drying clay.
Do you have any hobbies and interests outside of your studies?
I like watching romance and action romance movies alongside my cat.
What are your future career plans ?
Working in a nursery with children or with animals.
And finally, any advice would you give to anyone thinking of studying at UHI Perth?
Be less worried about it, try and be more confident in yourself and you will make friends. Other people and staff will help if you need it too.
