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Student Profiles
Steve Saunders
Why did you choose to study at Heriot-Watt? Of all the universities I applied to, Heriot-Watt was the one that consistently came across as the most focused and business-like in its approach. Heriot-Watt was the first to reply to my application and provided me with detailed information about the courses, what to expect and what to do next. When I attended the open day I felt that the campus had a very positive ambience and that the lecturers I met on the day were welcoming, communicative, approachable and informative. I also felt that the layout of the campus, being self contained, was very much like a small community and therefore promoted a sense of belonging.
What course are you studying and what made you choose it? After being away from full-time education for over 30 years, I was accepted at West Lothian College in Livingston to do an HNC in Social Sciences. Upon completion of the course in June 2006, I decided to study for a BSc in Applied Psychology. I was particularly keen to do a course that would allow me to enjoy the learning experience but also one that could enhance my existing people skills with a view to further employment into my fifties and beyond.
What challenges did you face when making the transition to university and how are you overcoming them? After doing the HNC I certainly felt that I had given myself a boost in the right direction. However, the pace of learning and the level of study required at University has been quite a jump - I've had to hit the ground running and really get into fitth gear. As a mature student, it was quite easy to feel out of place at first, but when I got talking to some of the other first year students I realised, irrespective of age, that we were all going through the same thing. In addition, I attended a mature students' induction day which was really helpful. I met mature students who were studying in their second year and as a result gained a valuable insight into many aspects of university
