Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock

Drama and Scriptwriting

Where are you from?

West Yorkshire

Why did you choose Northumbria University, Newcastle?

The course covers more or less exactly what I want to study, everyone has always been friendly, the lecturers are really engaging and Newcastle is just far enough from home that I'm not relying on my family all the time but it's only a few hours from home if I'm missing them.

What do you think of Newcastle and our region and what are your favourite things to do?

I love it. The best part is there's so much to do, if you want to go on a bar crawl everyday for a week you can but if you want to go to a nice restaurant or a museum or just a day shopping with friends, you can do all that too. It's a really nice mix.

What has surprised you most about living in Newcastle and this region? What has impressed you most?

The thing that has impressed me the most is definitely the city itself. I don't come from a big city so to be in one where there's so much to do is lovely.

Did you find Northumbria University welcoming? Was it easy to fit in?

From the first day the welcome week team were so lovely and from there its really carried on. Personally I didn't find it easy to fit in, but that's more due to my lack of confidence when I first arrived if anything. Everyone was so friendly and there's so many societies and sports teams to join, it all really helped me become more confident and now I'm the treasurer of a society with a busy social calendar.

What have you enjoyed most about coming to Northumbria University?

Meeting new people. I was very shy when I first came and so getting myself out there wasn't that easy, now I'm so much more confident and I've made so many new friends. It's honestly been a life changing year.

What is your favourite place on campus?

Habita, it's the place where everyone meets and it's really nice to just chill there and have fun with Karaoke on Thursday nights.

Have you joined any sports teams, clubs or been involved in any volunteer projects? Tells us about the highlights?

I'm a member of the Drama Society which is so much fun. The highlight was definitely being part in a show. I met new people and worked hard on something as part of a team and not to brag but we got quite a few awards come Drama Soc Awards night so I think it paid off!

What is the best thing about your course?

The blend of writing with the physical work. A lot of us chose the course because it combined two things we love to do, writing and drama and the balance of the two is something I really enjoy.

What are the most valuable lessons you have learnt to date?

In life: go food shopping and do laundry even if you don't feel like it otherwise you will end up naked and starving, it's okay to put work first over friends, they'll understand. In uni: how to properly format a script, that is important, take time to learn how to reference you'll thank yourself later and just because others leave assignments until the night before doesn't mean you should.

What do you want to do in the future? What skills have you learned/improved that you think will be of most use in your future career?

I would like to be a speech writer or host talks on equality in the media for people of colour and members of the LGBTAQ+ community. On the course we have had to write monologues and speeches and this made me realise I have a true passion for it.

If you could offer some advice to students thinking of coming to study here what would you say?

Research your course, come to an open days and get a feel for the place. It's important to remember you're going to be living here and seeing the campus almost everyday, it's important you feel comfortable and you know your course is right for you.

How do you feel you have changed as a person since being at Northumbria University, Newcastle (e.g. confidence)?

I'm so much more confident it's like I'm a new person and it feels great. I'm excited and happy to be here and I hope the next two years bring as much good fortune as my first year has.