Profile twenty three

Moving away from home is a daunting prospect for anyone. This anxiety is exacerbated for  anyone who decides to move away to study at university. Not only are there pressures to acclimatize both geographically and socially one must also adapt to the rigours of independent financial responsibility. So, when I decided to move to Edinburgh to study English Literature the financial pressures I knew would ensue were, unfortunately, a pressing concern. I was, however, fortunate enough to be pointed toward the John Moran Trust. Their generous grant will enable me to fully immerse myself in the academic demands of the course whilst simultaneously allowing me to pursue social and extra-curricular activities.

Moreover, the grant has, essentially, actualized a long term ambition to study English Literature. Anton Chekhov described literature as his “mistress”.  In some respects I too am beguiled, though it is by the myriad complexities of literature, by its staggering simplicities and, most pertinently, its essential subjective critical appreciation.

Having come from a single parent household and being the eldest of three siblings I knew that monetary aid from home could not be expected and I consequently sought out bursaries and other forms of financial support. This fact, coupled with the intimidating cost of tuition and accommodation has meant that any external assistance has been of immeasurable help.

My domestic situation served as a catalyst to pseudo-financial independence, working twenty hours a week in term time and full time during holidays has given me an indicator of the precarious balance, one where I could not always guarantee equilibrium, which needs to be struck between studying and work. Though this essentially worked for two years it was by no means an ideal system which often resulted in anxiety and unnecessary levels of stress, especially considering that I studied four A levels; English, History, RE and Psychology (fortunately I managed to gains four ‘A’ grades).

I would be doing a disservice to the John Moran Trust if I tried to pen a eulogy to them; rather, I will say that I am humbled and eternally thankful for their charity and good will.