Leah Kelly

What have been the highlights of your time at the University of Leeds?

The highlights of my time at Leeds have definitely been the field courses to Scarborough in first year and Malham in second year, as well as the incredible friends that I have made on my course, from Oxley in first year and from the societies that I’ve joined. Another highlight was the surf trip that I went on to Croyde in Devon with Leeds Surf Club.

How have the facilities (libraries/labs etc.) helped you get the most out of your degree?

The lab classes in various modules have taught me new techniques such as micropipetting, as well as helped me to improve skills and techniques such as experimental design and dissection. Furthermore, the library provides so much space to revise and do work on your own or in groups, and there’s a huge catalogue of journal articles that we have access to on the internet which really helps with work.

What aspects of your course helped you to make friends?

The field courses to Scarborough and Malham helped me make friends with people on my course that I hadn’t had chance to speak to yet as so many students study Biology. Joining Leeds Surf Club and Leeds University Union Dancesport Club also helped me make friends with people that weren’t on my course.

Have you joinedany student societies/sports clubs at the university? If so how has this enhanced your time at the University?

So far I’ve joined FoBSoc, Leeds Surf Club and Leeds University Union Dancesport Society. These have enhanced my time at university by introducing me to a range of different people through socials and classes, teaching me new skills (surfing and ballroom and Latin dancing) and providing me with some incredible experiences such as the surf trip that I went on to Croyde in Devon.

What key aspects of your experience of Leeds would you highlight to students thinking about coming do the same course/programme?

The aspect of the BSc Biology degree that I think make it such a good course is the flexibility that you have in module choices in second and third year so that you can specialise and choose modules to suit you. It also has great field courses to Scarborough, Malham and South Africa (which I am going on at the start of third year), excellent laboratory facilities and brilliant support is provided by the personal tutors.

What are your ambitions for the future? Do you have specific career plans? Has the University (careers centre/lecturers etc.) helped you with these goals in any way?

Once I have completed my placement and BSc Biology degree, I plan on doing a Masters degree in Biodiversity and Conservation and then hopefully a PhD so I can go on to do field-based research in wildlife conservation. So far, the Careers Centre and my personal tutor have been really helpful when I was completing my CV, cover letters and application forms for placements.