An Inverness graduate diagnosed with diabetes just weeks before her final exam has received a first-class degree.
Eilidh Murray received an accountancy and finance degree during a graduation ceremony at Aberdeen University’s Elphinstone Hall yesterday morning.
The 22-year-old was in the final stages of completing her dissertation when she began to feel ill.
She said: “I just thought my body was run down because I had been pushing myself so hard to finish my dissertation.
“After I had handed it in, I went to the doctors and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
“It was a total shock. I’m only 22. I just didn’t expect it.
“It was only a few weeks before my final exam and I was stuck in hospital for three days.
“It has been very difficult trying to juggle my health with my exams.
“When I get low blood sugar I can feel shaky and faint.
“It also affected my eyesight so I was finding it hard to read.
“It put a lot of extra pressure on me.
“I’m normally a really organised person so I had started studying before but I probably lost about two weeks of study time altogether.”
Eilidh, who is about to move to Edinburgh to start a new job with Standard Life in September, added: “I was aiming for a first class degree but when I was diagnosed I wasn’t sure it would still happen.
“I am so exhilarated with the result.
“I have really loved living in Aberdeen and I have absolutely loved my time at university.
“But now I’m moving to Edinburgh and I am really looking forward to my new job.
“It will be a challenging role in a challenging company.”
During her time at university, Eilidh was also involved in helping out at the Business School’s annual first year induction and networking event, which aims to help all new undergraduates settle into university life.
Parents Muriel and Donald, of Milton of Leys, Inverness, and big sister Mairi were there to help her celebrate her special day.