Scarlett
Ruff

My name is Scarlett Ruff, and I am studying an undergraduate degree in English, where I am in my second year. My time at NTU so far has been amazing, I have made a lot of friends, tried different hobbies and visited new places. As someone with a passion for literature, I am constantly reading for both my course and for enjoyment in my free time. As the first person in my family to go to university, I am eager to take advantage of my education and academic abilities. The Opportunity Bursary has allowed me to do this, as I can use this funding to purchase all the reading materials I require, without having to sacrifice other activities or social outings with friends.

In the summer of 2024, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to participate in a two week placement with Nottingham City of Literature. I interviewed members of the public, created content for their website and social media, and worked on their UNESCO campaigns. The bursary allowed me to fully engage and make the most of this placement as I knew that I would be able to cover my travel costs and related expenses during this time, meaning I could fully immerse myself in this experience without financial burden. This placement not only inspired me to consider a career path associated with Nottingham as a UNESCO City of Literature, but also to explore multiple different books and genres recommended to me by the bookshops and members of the public that I communicated with.

After completing this placement, I had created a lengthy list of books that I wanted to read. I have realised that reading can quickly become a costly hobby, especially when some books aren't available in regular bookshops, and I had to order online instead. However, the bursary meant that I never had to sacrifice reading as a hobby which has led to my interest in a career in the field of literature.

Apart from the academic aspects of university, the bursary has provided me with a sense of financial equivalence to my friends without the stress of finding multiple jobs to cover social plans such as coffee dates, spontaneous trips and nights out. Prior to joining NTU, I was anxious that I wouldn't be able to ‘join in’ or make friends as easy due to my financial position in comparison to others. However, the bursary completely disproved this as it has allowed me to participate in a wide range of social and academic activities where I am free from financial burden. I feel like I have the choice to say yes to activities – rather than feeling the need to decline due to financial anxiety.

Those who have donated to the Student Success Endowment have positively altered my view on so many different aspects of university life as I am able to recognise and pursue positive opportunities rather than just seeing them as a financial burden, which I will be forever grateful for. I think that donating to the Student Success Endowment is so much more than just a donation, it's an investment in a student's current financial equivalence and, overall, their future.