The course appealed to my interests in heritage, as well as social and cultural history, and how these aspects of the past can be made more accessible and engaging. The course goes beyond just learning facts and key dates: it’s helped me understand how history is presented and experienced by people.
Making History accessible to everyone
One of the most valuable experiences has been working with St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington, through a student innovation project, and as a volunteer. I’ve spent time analysing fundraising strategies and helping to develop educational loan box materials for local schools, which is part of a project supporting the museum’s long-term development and community engagement.
It has been really rewarding to apply what I have learned in a real-world setting, particularly working with a non-profit organisation, and designing interactive resources that make history more engaging for younger audiences.
It’s made my degree more impactful and helped me to see how history can be used beyond academia.
Boost in confidence
My time at Southampton has really helped me grow in confidence and independence. By moving into a new environment, I was able to step outside my comfort zone, and I have become much better at time management and balancing different responsibilities. The friendships I’ve made in my first year helped me quickly feel at home, and they’ve remained an important part of my university experience.
A supportive environment
My lecturers have been really approachable and very helpful when it comes to feedback and guidance, especially in essay writing. They’re clearly passionate about their specialist subjects, which makes lectures more engaging.
The study facilities at Southampton are really good. The libraries have a great range of resources and plenty of different spaces, from quiet to sociable, depending on how you like to study. The campus facilities are really supportive too - there is always access to wellbeing support if you need it.
My next steps
After graduating, I would like to pursue a career in the heritage or museum sector or a teaching career. I am particularly interested in roles focusing on public engagement and education, and projects that make history more accessible and engaging for wider audiences, especially young people.
