Jhalak

Jhalak always knew she wanted to work in A&E, but wasn’t sure how to make this dream a reality. By choosing ESC, she found confidence and academic success, having won a Silver Award in the National BTEC Awards for Science Learner of the Year. She credits her time at East Surrey College for her smooth transition into university, and her further educational career.

Why did you pick East Surrey College and what inspired you to select your course(s)? 

I chose East Surrey College because when I attended the Open Day, I immediately felt that it was the right place for me. The college environment stood out to me because students are treated like adults and encouraged to become more independent and it also felt like a fresh start where I could meet new people.  

I chose Applied Science Level 3 course because I have always enjoyed science and wanted to pursue a future career in a science-related field. In addition, the opportunity to gain work experience made the course even more attractive, as I wanted to develop practical skills and prepare for real-world scientific environments. 

How did your course help prepare you for your next steps, and what did you find most valuable about the teaching and support? 

My course helped me become more accountable and responsible for my own learning, which made the transition from college to university much smoother. When I got to univesity, I realised the modules I completed during Applied Science Level 3 aligned closely with my children’s nursing degree. Thanks to what I studied at college, I felt confident in researching, referencing, and structuring my work. 

What did you enjoy most about your course(s) and what experiences at the College stood out to you? 

What I enjoyed most about my course and my time at East Surrey College was how much it helped me grow in confidence and develop as a person. My Tutor was also very supportive and regularly checked in with us and listened to our concerns, which made me feel genuinely supported and valued.  

The lessons were always engaging and interactive, with a variety of activities which helped keep learning interesting and enjoyable. I particularly loved that the course covered a balance of biology, chemistry, physics, and forensics, as it wasn’t focused on just one area of science and allowed me to explore a wide range of topics. 

One of the proudest moments of my college journey was winning a Silver Award in the National BTEC Awards for Science Learner of the Year, which was incredibly rewarding and a perfect way to end an amazing two years at East Surrey College, knowing my hard work had been recognised by my lecturers. 

What journey have you taken since leaving the College, including roles, industries, skills applied, and any further education or training? 

I spent time researching different universities and courses before settling on Children’s Nursing at Kingston University.  

My degree combined essays, exams, and clinical placements across the three years. Each year, placements were integrated between academic assessments, allowing me to apply my knowledge and practical skills in real healthcare settings while gaining insight into a variety of clinical areas and patient needs.  

What are your future goals, and how do you feel your time at the College has helped shape them? 

I have recently started my first full-time role after graduating as a Children’s Nurse in an emergency department. Working in A&E has been a dream of mine since I was young although I was never sure which role I would pursue or how I would get there. 

Looking ahead, my long-term goals are to progress into a role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology or to become an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.  

The fresh start in a college environment helped boost my confidence significantly and encouraged me to take on new opportunities and step outside my comfort zone. College is a crucial stage in life where you transition into adulthood and begin to discover who you are and what you enjoy, and East Surrey College played a major role in that journey for me.  

What advice would you give to current or future East Surrey College students who are considering the same path? 

 
My advice to students at ESC is to keep your college notes and assignments, as a lot of the material you cover in college can be extremely useful at university. Make choices based on your own ambitions rather than following friends, and working hard at college and building strong study habits early will make the transition to university much smoother.  

And finally, a piece of advice I cannot stress enough, start your assignments now, not tomorrow — staying organised and ahead of deadlines makes all the difference!