My time in College was great: I had lots of help for my exams, progression and well-being. In particular, I liked the classroom environment and owe this to my outstanding subject teachers. The people I met and friends I made helped shape a positive experience as well.

Taking part in Classics club and Karate club in my first year was very enjoyable, and doing Karate sparked an interest in martial arts that I have today.

Currently, I am studying Palaeontology at Portsmouth University and also work as a Student Ambassador. Palaeontology is something I’ve been interested in since I was about three years old but it was not until my Upper Sixth at College that I realised it was the path I wanted to take. Part of that decision-making was down to writing my EPQ about dinosaurs, marine reptiles and pterosaurs.

So far, my journey has been quite straightforward, and I find studying at – and working with – the university very rewarding. If I had to choose one thing that I love the most, it would surely be developing the ability to reconstruct the pre-historic Earth by studying the organisms that once lived on it. It’s incredible how much information you can gather from examining a rock or fossil which would otherwise be easily overlooked.

At the moment, I haven’t settled on a specific career path and so remain open to possibilities. Most recently, however, I have developed a liking for palaeobotany – the study of ancient plants and flora. I do hope to work in a palaeo-related field in the future but do know that it can be challenging developing a career in this specialism.

My advice for College students is to focus on comprehension of the subject first – worry about exam questions later. I found it helpful to spend good time writing clear, neat lecture notes that aid you in your learning. Your College teachers are there to help, so use this opportunity to fill your gaps in your knowledge. Most importantly, do ask questions – university professors love students who get involved.

Foivos Mavrogiannis

Reigate College: 2021-2023

Higher Education: BSc Palaeontology, Portsmouth University