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.
My first year at Edinburgh has been demanding and hugely enjoyable. The intellectual challenge of studying three subjects, majoring in English with Psychology and Classical Greek history as electives, simultaneously has been testing though I have found it immensely rewarding and stimulating. This year has ratified my decision to study English and has prompted re-evaluations of my own thinking and methods of reading. I have been incredibly lucky to study at such a prestigious university and live in a city so rich with historical, cultural and political significance.
The inherent difficulty of financial independence had, at times, been very worrying. Thanks to the John Moran Trust I did not have to maintain a job during my studies; something which would have certainly had a harmful impact upon my studies. Without their aid the first year would have been significantly less enjoyable and, crucially, financial concerns would have overridden university life. Fortunately such concerns did not dominate my fresher year and I have been able to immerse myself in study, socializing and acclimatizing to independence in a new city.
I can only thank the John Moran trust again. Their good will has ensured that my first year of university has exceeded all of my expectations
Second year at university has been more interesting, more difficult and more rewarding. The course followed the historical periods, late eighteenth century and Victorian, which I was most looking forward to studying. 'Northanger Abbey' and 'Hard Times' were notable high points. Thanks to a few ebullient lecturers whose palpable enthusiasm made even the most tedious topics interesting, second year English Literature has been most rewarding. The elective system at Edinburgh means that I was able to continue Classics in second year. This year we studied Classical art ranging from Greek Hellenistic to Roman Imperial incorporating architecture, sculpture, pottery and coins.
This year also meant moving out of halls and into rented accommodation. The move away from University accommodation and into the real world was an important learning experience. Dealing with difficult letting agents and builders, arranging bills and direct debits, and living with four other people forced me, and the people I live with, to mature.
For the second year running I was able to manage on the money available to me without having to take term time employment. This meant that I could focus on my studies. This was made possible by the generosity of the John Moran Educational Trust. Without their grant I would definitely have had to find a job and its requirements would doubtless have had a detrimental impact upon my studies.
Hopefully third year will be as challenging and rewarding as my second year.
