My time at College was formative and I often credit the College as the reason I applied to the University of Cambridge: I never would have had the confidence to apply if it weren’t for the work of Ellen and some of my teachers there. The Aspire programme was especially useful. I remember making a film in the little studio house, trying out cheerleading and many hours in the ILC. I enjoyed the independence and university-style responsibility for your own learning.

I left College during the pandemic which was very challenging, as I was starting university then as well. But I was less daunted making friends in this unfamiliar environment and strange circumstances because of College as I had already had to make new friends amongst a large cohort and learnt to balance the responsibility of my own education.

Since graduating university, I’ve moved to London and started working in TV. During my time at College, I had managed to get some work as a Runner and had enjoyed it. It’s been very difficult as the industry’s been struggling and it is mainly contract work, but I’ve managed to work fairly steadily. I started out as a Trainee Researcher and am now a Researcher on documentaries like The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed (which exposed the institutional misogyny of the Spycops scandal) and on factual entertainment programmes like Hunted.

I’ve expanded on my interests of inequality, gender, and the structural powers of institutions – all topics that were fostered at College through my EPQ and then through university. In the future, I plan to become a Producer-Director capturing gripping, thought-invoking stories.

For those starting College, I’d say do make the most of this exciting time, and when you’re at your next step, to enjoy learning and being the student as much as possible. Take every opportunity you can get and never be afraid to ask for help.

Xia Gray
Reigate College: 2018-2020
Higher education: BA Human, Social & Political Science, St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge
Currently: Researcher, Unscripted TV (Documentaries and Factual Entertainment)