Lily is in the first year of a Politics, Sexuality and Gender degree and tells us why she chose it and how it’s going living and studying in Brighton.
Please tell us a bit about yourself
“Hiya! I’m Lily, I’m 23, and I’m in my first semester of Politics, Sexuality and Gender BA(Hons). I took an extended gap year(s) before diving into university and I’m so grateful for it, as it allowed me time to get to know myself better and choose a course I really resonate with.
In my spare time, I paint, climb, play a lot of chess, hike in the South Downs, and stare at the sea
“I spent my time living in Vienna, back-packing around Europe and Asia, saving money, and doing as much volunteer work as possible. Now I’m here in Brighton studying away and loving it. In my spare time, I paint, climb, play a lot of chess, hike in the South Downs, and stare at the sea.”
How have you found your Politics, Gender and Sexuality course so far?
“I have been absolutely loving my course so far, it is everything I wanted it to be and so much more. My course mates are fiery, passionate, and lovely – the seminars we have are always the highlight of my week.
Half of the time, it doesn’t even feel like I’m at university
My lecturers are some of the most interesting people I have ever met, delivering some of the most interesting lectures I could imagine. Half of the time, it doesn’t even feel like I’m at university; the topics we are studying are so up my street that I want to be doing the further reading.”
What made you choose it – what subjects and issues are important to you?
“I chose to study Politics, Gender, and Sexuality studies rather than a typical politics course due to its focus on intersectionality. I have always had a keen interest in politics, and in particular how our current systems fail particular groups of people. I come from a very working-class background, meaning I have been surrounded by various levels of struggle since a young age.
I want to dedicate myself to studying how and why systematic flaws in our society occur
“Plus, I have done various forms of work with people on benefits, the disabled, the elderly, feminist groups, queer youth, and with those struggling with mental health issues. Being in those environments opens your eyes to the fact so many of these people are struggling due to systematic flaws in our society. I wanted to dedicate myself to studying how and why these systematic flaws occur, and in the long run would love to tackle some of these issues and hopefully make life a little easier for those who haven’t been dealt a fair hand in life.”
And was the location of your course in Brighton important?
“Not really. I’d heard lovely things about Brighton, so was quite excited to move here. Everyone back home in Sheffield kept telling me I would fit right in here (and I do). But Brighton was the only course offering gender studies at an undergraduate level, so fate pulled me down South.”
If you could give your 16 year old self any advice about going to University what would it be?
“It’s all going to work out. Trust the process and trust yourself. Life is weird and unpredictable and will send you down paths you never thought you’d venture down. But at the end of the day it will all work out.”
Find out about studying Politics at Brighton.
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