From Prior's Field Two Years On

Rebecca Haynes

(OG 2012–2019)

The University of St Andrews has a small medicine cohort which has allowed me to get plenty of support from tutors and lecturers.

UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS, MEDICINE

In my third and final year of my BSc in Medical Sciences, I will be working alongside one of the research scientists on a project to improve cancer diagnosis.

I recently found out that I will be going to St Bart’s Hospital and the London School of Medicine for my final three years, which I am delighted about.

Covid has meant that during the past year I have had reduced clinical experience but this is set to increase in my third year, when inperson placements will resume now that we are fully vaccinated. The course has been very challenging and science-based, but recent exams have included more practical elements.

Prior’s Field certainly helped me become a more independent and confident person which has allowed

Martha Simmonds

(OG 2012-2019) me to thrive at university, despite all the restrictions over the past fifteen months.

Aside from studies, I am part of the 1st team for hockey; the training is time-consuming but the lack of matches this year has allowed me to find more time to make the most of the university’s unique coastal location. I have enjoyed swims in the outdoor sea pool, pier jumps, beach bonfires, coastal walks and visits to the driving range.

One of the famous traditions at St Andrews is the May Dip, where students get up at 3.45am so as not to miss the sunrise, and run into the sea at East Sands. It is meant to give you luck for your summer exams. Something I won’t forget!

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, MATERIALS SCIENCE

After two years, I’m still thrilled with my degree choice; I can’t imagine any other degree that would suit me better. I first heard about Materials Science on a school trip to Oxford in the Fifth Form and my GCSE Physics teacher, Mr Jones, encouraged me to explore it further.

It has a really good variety of science, from Quantum Physics to large-scale industrial processeseven with Polymer Chemistry and Computing thrown in!

My college, Corpus Christi, has a stereotype of being the 'small and friendly' one, which reminds me of PF!

I am currently the Junior Common Room Treasurer for Corpus Christi, as well as social secretary for the Materials Society which so far has involved organising virtual games nights and a summer picnic.

I am also involved with the Oxford Energy Society and the Clay Pigeon Shooting Club, which has been really useful to help me meet people outside of my subject and college. All my lectures were moved online for my second year but luckily we’ve been able to meet with our tutorial groups in person. The small class sizes and friendly teachers at PF set me up really well for being confident in tutorials, where there are only two to three of you with a professor.

I’ve been really fortunate in that I still managed to complete a summer internship during 2020, at a nano-engineering spin out from Queen Mary’s, looking at aerospace components. I’ve

Imogen Rowe

(OG 2013-2020) recently become more interested in science start-ups and have had some work experience from both the business side as part of a sustainable venture capital internship, as well as the research aspects from my degree. Having said that, I haven’t decided exactly what I want to do yet and luckily I have two years left of my Master of Engineering before I have to make that decision. I am really enjoying university life at Oxford and collecting as many different experiences as I can.

The past two years at the University of Cambridge have been filled with countless opportunities for musical performance and academic experience.

As my first year was largely online, I only really saw the potential of the musical scene at Cambridge at the end of the Summer term. In July, I performed the premier recording of Isabella Leonarda’s ‘Paremus nos, fideles’ and was awarded a place on the renowned CAMRAM scheme; meaning that I now take performance classes at The Royal Academy of Music, whilst I study my academics at Cambridge.

I have also enjoyed many opportunities through my choral scholarship, such as being able to sing at the University Sermon and the Minerva Festival.

I am conscious that Prior’s Field taught us a fair amount about putting ourselves out there. Some sound advice from Mr Pratt always rings in my ears when I feel doubt in reaching for new opportunities; "Well, why not?" This mindset has proved beneficial to me.

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, MUSIC

I recently became a columnist for Varsity, the main student newspaper in Cambridge, and during the time I was thinking about accepting an offer to write my first review on the University Symphony I thought, "Well, why not?" Cambridge has made me more confident in my own abilities, but it is the drive that PF taught me that seems to keep me going the most.

I am incredibly excited to be cast as ‘Dorabella’ in Mozart’s opera Così fan tutte, which is taking place in April 2022.

It will be my first principle role in an opera, as well as my debut performance as a working singer and I cannot wait to collaborate with many of the other singers/ musicians in Cambridge for this production.

Additionally, in July 2022 I will be embarking on a tour of Rome, performing at venues such as The Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican as a Choral Scholar with the Fitzwilliam College Choir.

I feel incredibly grateful to be where I am now, when I think back to March 2020 just before the pandemic when we all packed up and left PF.

I am working with fantastic academics who are so passionate about their specialisms and I am grateful that I have become a more confident version of myself.

Imogen’s article in Varsity: https://www.varsity.co.uk/music/22873