Ina
Luckute

Ina Luckute is currently a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering student at NTU. She shares her journey and experiences of going to university. Born in Kaunas, Lithuania, and raised in London, she keeps her strong connection with her roots and is fortunate to still understand and speak Lithuanian. In the fast-paced world of mechanical engineering, Ina finds her escape and inspiration in the adrenaline-pumping world of motorsports.

Her path to higher education did not follow the conventional route, it was a whirlwind of emotions and challenges, but it was also a path to finding her academic home at NTU. Her story is a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected journeys can lead to the most rewarding destinations.

Ina's passion for motorsports and mechanical systems led her to finding the right course NTU. She shares that she was attracted by its practical approach to engineering and strong employment prospects:

Ina: My love for motorsports, discovered just months before starting at NTU, ignited my passion for this field. I’ve always had a strong desire to control mechanical systems and invent new technologies and NTU's hands-on approach to engineering education provides the perfect environment for me to explore these interests. Most importantly, it’s the top for employment opportunities and experiences.

The most challenging part of Ina's university journey was navigating the clearing process, which required her to adapt quickly:

Ina: The most challenging part of my journey to university was the emotional and logistical whirlwind of going through the clearing process. Unlike students who had their places confirmed early, I had to quickly adapt to moving to a new city with very little time to prepare.

Despite this, she was reassured by NTU's support during this period:

Ina:  During the clearing process, NTU's support was efficient and reassuring. One simple call and the admissions team quickly addressed my questions and handled my application smoothly.

Due to her dedication to motorsports and racing, this meant Ina had limited time to interact with peers from her year and make a lot of friends. However, she eventually found her community through these activities:

Ina: Settling in and making friends at NTU was initially very challenging for me. I didn’t attend parties or go clubbing, which are common social activities for many students. Most of my free time was dedicated to motorsports and racing, which limited my social interactions. However, it was through these activities that I found my people.

Ina found her course experience to be incredibly rewarding, with highlights including building a Mars Lander, winning against the odds and participating in the Grand Challenge:

Ina: My experience in Mechanical Engineering at NTU has been incredibly rewarding.

Highlights include building a Mars Lander —despite "killing" my theoretical astronauts multiple times due to math errors late at night in the library — and tackling the Grand Challenge. The standout moment was on the first day of induction when I joined an all-girl team to build a solar heat exchanger. Despite our initial panic, we combined our skills and ended up beating everyone! It felt like a good start to a new year with a challenge.

When we asked what part of her studies caught her interest...

Ina:  One concept from my studies that I found especially fascinating is Kirchhoff's Law of Radiation, particularly when combined with our lab experiment on Radiant Transfer. While I usually prefer maths over science, because it comes more naturally, this law stood out. Kirchhoff's law explains how a material's ability to emit radiation matches its ability to absorb it, which was intriguing to see in action during our lab. Conducting the Radiant Transfer experiment, where we observed how different materials absorb and emit heat, brought the theory to life and deepened my understanding of thermal radiation.

She has been engaging in various projects and extracurricular activities that enhance her studies:

Ina: I've engaged in a variety of projects and extracurricular activities that complement my mechanical engineering studies and provide valuable experience for future career prospects. From lab experiments and building a Mars Lander shuttle to participating in the Grand Challenge with a theoretical quantum sensor, each project has deepened my knowledge and practical skills. Even simpler tasks like testing and constructing laptop stands have equipped me with hands-on expertise relevant to real-world applications. Additionally, my involvement in the motorsports society allows me to apply engineering principles in a competitive environment, further enriching my university experience.

Ina's primary passion outside of the classroom is go-karting. Her free time is not just a break from her studies; it's a chance to indulge in her passions and connect her hobbies with her academic pursuits:

Ina: In my free time, my main passion is go-karting, and I am a part of the motorsport society at my university. I'm also excited to join the Formula Society soon, which aligns perfectly with my craving for adrenaline and racing. In fact, it was this intense passion for motorsports that initially motivated me to pursue a course in mechanical engineering.

Beyond racing, I have a deep interest in motocross. I enjoy visiting various locations across the UK to watch my friends compete in races. As finances permit, I'm eager to start participating in motocross myself soon, further indulging in my love for high-speed and off-road adventures.

These hobbies not only keep me engaged and fulfilled but also complement my academic studies by providing practical insights into vehicle dynamics and performance.

Ina revealed more details about the society and said it has been a blend of excitement, challenge, and community spirit:

Ina: The society leaders focus on organizing budget-friendly races, primarily at TeamSport tracks, where everyone competes in two 15-minute sessions. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of the shift towards electric karts on some tracks now, the experience remains exciting. Additionally, a few fortunate and fast members get the chance to compete in the British University Karting Championship (BUKC).

Our society is quite laid-back, and while we haven't had as many participants recently, leading to the cancellation of some races, we're eager to welcome new members. If you enjoy karting or want to learn how to drive a kart, we would love for you to join us.

Everyone in the society is wonderful, and our main goal is to have fun on the track and unwind. You don't need to be an expert or have prior knowledge to join, so please don't feel pressured. We’re here to enjoy ourselves and create a friendly, inclusive environment for all.

Ina's would like to establish a more structured committee to enhance future opportunities for members, especially when returning to university in September:

Ina: Due to cancellations and budget issues, I haven't been able to participate in the society as much as I would have liked. To address this, I've proposed the idea of creating a more structured committee, so that future attendees have more opportunities to visit tracks that are further away. Hopefully, this will be implemented when we re-join university in September.

Karting can be intense and it has its ups and lows! - says Ina, as she shared some memorable experiences with us from racing:

I've come home sweaty and bruised from some races, which taught me a lot about perseverance in the sport.

One memorable incident involved being on a track with all men, who were acting suspiciously before the race. During the race, they bumped and damaged my kart to the point where I had to sit out for a couple of minutes out of sheer frustration. Although I was tempted to retaliate, I chose to stay calm and continue racing. In the end, I out-lapped them twice, three of them were black-flagged after I warned some staff about their driving – the staff went out on the track to check and got hit themselves - and in the end i emerged as the winner.

Another notable incident included a big crash. I was going down a ramp, turning, when a kart flew into me mid-turn. The heat of the engine pressed against my rib and I was left injured. Despite the pain and shock, adrenaline kept me going. I knew from past experiences not to be aggressive toward the driver after the race. I followed the mindset that they knew what they did wrong. Karting has its ups and downs, which is why I love how it perfectly interlocks with my subject and allows me to be part of a lovely community of like-minded drivers.

These experiences as well as her course have equipped her with valuable skills:

Ina: Through my undergraduate studies at NTU, I've gained valuable skills in CAD design, and machining, along with a strong foundation in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and advanced maths. These have honed my problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, while extracurricular activities like motorsports have improved my teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.

Ina praises the support from NTU tutors and staff, the independence and the opportunity to openly discuss ideas and concerns during regular tutor meetings:

Ina: The support from tutors and staff at NTU has been excellent for me. Unlike sixth form where there's more overseeing and nagging, university offers a lot of independence. We have regular tutor meetings every few weeks where we can freely discuss any issues without fear of criticism, it's almost like having a therapist to talk to or rant to. Beyond scheduled meetings, tutors are responsive to emails, replying promptly because they prioritise your concerns.

When we asked about her initial feelings and concerns when she realised she would be going through clearing:

Ina: When I realised I would be going through a clearing, my initial feeling was a rush of excitement mixed with a natural sense of panic. I had originally planned to study product design, but upon seeing my grades, I was pleasantly surprised and felt I could look at wider options. Despite my teachers and some classmates advising against mechanical engineering, saying it would strip away my creativity. I was determined to prove them wrong. The cool projects I've worked on since then have shown me that engineering is as creative as it is technical.

I’ve always believed that life's about facing challenges, and I was eager to push myself beyond my comfort zone. Knowing there wasn't much time, I rushed home to explore my options. I finally stumbled upon the vibrant pink logo of Nottingham Trent University, it felt like a sign, and I'm thrilled to have found a place that supports both my passion for engineering and my drive to innovate.

She focused on finding a course that would both challenge and allow her to explore her passions for mechanics and innovation:

Ina: I didn’t have a formal backup strategy as everything was so incredibly rushed, but I kept an open mind about different universities and courses. My main priority was to find a program that would challenge me and allow me to explore my interests in mechanics and innovation. I believed in the value of a challenge, and I was ready to take on whatever opportunities came my way.

The most challenging part of the clearing process was dealing with the rejections. It was disheartening at times to face multiple setbacks, but I stayed motivated by focusing on my goal and knowing that the right opportunity was out there. Finding Nottingham Trent University felt like discovering a perfect match.

Moving to Nottingham, a city she had never visited before, was a leap into the unknown:

Ina: My arrival at university differed significantly from students who had their places confirmed earlier. Having gone through clearing, I had very little time to prepare, and it felt like stepping into the unknown. One day, I was in London with my family and friends, and the next, I was moving to Nottingham. A city I had never visited before!

The sudden move to new city was overwhelming, but Ina found the courage to embrace the challenge and build a new life in a supportive community:

Ina: This sudden transition was entirely out of my comfort zone. Unlike others who might have had months to plan and adjust, I had to quickly adapt to leaving everything familiar behind. The thought of starting afresh in a new city was almost overwhelming. However, since that moment, I haven’t looked back and have no regrets. I’ve embraced the challenge, built a new life here, and found a supportive community of people. Despite the initial uncertainty, this experience has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m grateful for the journey.

Looking back, Ina is offering some guidance to future students who may find themselves in a similar situation and are about to go through clearing:

Ina: Above all the things I could say, don’t be afraid and embrace it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by exploring new opportunities through the clearing process. It will help you grow as a person and learn new lessons. If you can, take the time to research universities and courses that interest you. Have a list of options ready so you can act quickly if needed. All you need is the clearing number and your grades on hand – remember they are here to help, not interrogate.

You can follow Ina's journey beyond her studies on LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: Ina Luckute