There are times when people can’t concentrate fully on their studies. Times when taking a break from university is required.
Tamzin Virtue was faced with tough challenges during her course at Aberdeen University, but after deciding to take a year out from her studies, said yesterday it was “the best decision” she had ever made.
The 23-year-old from Elgin added: “There was a year at university when my grandad passed away and my friend’s dad also passed and it became a year when I had just had enough and really needed a break.
“But I still wanted to be able to get my degree, so I took a year out and stayed with my aunt in Australia.
“And through the whole experience, the university were so understanding. I think it’s important that if people are having a difficult time, it doesn’t mean they have to give up on their degree.
“The university wants to get you through it as best they can and that’s absolutely what I found.
“All my lecturers were so supportive that it wasn’t a problem at all, because they have been excellent.”
Miss Virtue yesterday collected her degree in Pharmacology after being the first in her family to attend university.
She added: “Taking that year out was the best decision I have ever made. I am so happy to have continued with my degree and reached the finish line today.”
“I feel like I have had a bit of a mountain to climb, but I am the first out of my family to go to university so I didn’t really know what to expect, but I have loved it.
“I’m now going to be recommending it to my family, setting a trend there. I can’t wait for the next generation of my family, so I can tell them to go to university too.”