The Student Success Endowment: Shauntae

I am a second-year BA Fashion Communication and Promotion student at Nottingham Trent University. Despite exploring many different possible career paths before university, I have always been drawn to the fashion industry, although it always felt out of reach. However, deciding to take this leap has been truly transformative, I have had the chance to grow into a resilient, creative, and forward-thinking individual. My course has opened endless opportunities and avenues within the industry, allowing me to build confidence, network, and nurture my passion. As quite an introverted individual, I have been able to use the confidence I have in my work and talent to get involved and stuck into the industry with help from my lecturers.

The Student Success Endowment has enabled me to nurture my hobbies and interests, whilst doing a course I enjoy and see a future in, and this has made a huge impact in my university experience. I really enjoy playing guitar and, before coming to university, I used to do horse-riding in my free time. The extra costs that come up in university, whether it’s resources for my course or expenses in my personal life, are something that not everyone considers. With these pressures from budgeting, as well as time-management, hobbies tend to get lost between the deadlines and hand-ins.

This bursary allowed me to invest in a better guitar and equipment that has really helped me in developing this skill to the point of being confident with my abilities, and I look forward to getting lessons during the summer when I have less university work.

It has been really amazing to have something I enjoy and can continue to work at. I was also able to use the funding for travel to volunteer at a horse-riding stables just outside of Nottingham, where I am lucky enough to help members of the community with their horses as well as getting the chance to do some horse riding myself. Being able to travel further out of the city is something I really enjoy and picking back up this hobby has provided a peaceful escape from city life, and I truly believe has helped my mental wellbeing in invaluable ways.

In the summer I plan to volunteer at a riding school, hopefully working with the Riding for the Disabled Association to really re-connect with horse riding as it has been a large part of my life, but also, an opportunity to give back to the community. As I continue my studies, I have realised how important it is to have an outlet and support system.

I’d like to say to those who donate towards and support the Student Success Endowment; thank you for making these opportunities possible and please know your generosity does not go unappreciated. It is so motivating, and I look forward to being able to pass your kindness forward through volunteering work and bringing awareness to this fund that enriches university journeys beyond just academia.