Bethany Jacobs

Where are you from?

Leeds, UK.

Why did you choose Northumbria University, Newcastle?

I chose Northumbria University, Newcastle primarily because of the excellent rankings my course featured in throughout the numerous league tables. Not only that but upon visiting the City Campus I felt as though the atmosphere involved in the campus combined with a city environment was unlike any other University I had visited.

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

Newcastle is a hub of friendly Northerners, beautiful scenery and a compact close atmosphere. I love going to the Quayside on an evening when it’s quiet and looking at Millennium Bridge at its most beautiful.

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

What has surprised me the most is the incredible amount of warm, friendly and positive locals there are living in Newcastle. From the taxi drivers to shop assistants and everyone I have come across at the University. I have constantly felt at ease and welcome and have loved chatting away to the friendly locals as a definite highlight. What has impressed me most is the beauty of the City and its surroundings, it’s not all just night life but just travelling 10 miles down the motorway and being able to surf in the North Sea with my friends has been an unbelievable experience!

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

On first arrival to Northumbria, from the moment I stepped out my parent’s car there were several students offering help with the mountain of luggage I had brought with me. Knowing that the University had ensured not just me but my parent’s felt I was In good hands and such a huge organisation had considered these small details that made such a difference to not just my peace of mind but my parents too.

What have you enjoyed most about coming to Northumbria University?

I have most enjoyed being made to feel that I am part of not just a large organisation but an actual student community. I have greatly enjoyed working as a Student Representative for the University as I’ve felt proud to be able to say I am a student studying here and to be able to share my own experiences and to help other prospective students aim to apply for Higher Education.

Who has helped you most since you came to Northumbria?

My friends that I have met here at University have always been an unbelievable support to me and I have maintained excellent friendships with my friends that I met in halls in first year, which I would always recommend first years to ensure they did would be the experience of sharing accommodation. My academics and faculty have also helped me a great deal through difficult circumstances at times.

Who has inspired you most at Northumbria University?

My academics I would say have inspired me most with their success stories and how much they have achieved over their years after graduation. Some working for huge multi-national companies like ‘Unilever’ and imagining that I could have the potential myself to go ahead and be doing something similar.

What is your favourite place on campus?

Believe it or not, the library! It’s one of the only places where I can actually go to and know I am going to get my work done. I often struggle to concentrate and get my work done at home and so coming to the library is like a sanctuary for me and a place where I can really get stuck into my studies.

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

I did not join any sports teams but I have really enjoyed all of the sporting events that have taken place at Northumbria such as watching various Varsity matches, rugby being the most entertaining and showing a huge amount of support for our side, I think I will remember Northumbria chants forever!

What is the best thing about your course?

Being able to use the incredible facilities of the new labs and the state of the art machinery and equipment, in particular using the sensory analysis labs located in Ellison Building where I have been able to use these purpose built rooms to test products that I have made myself, giving me an insight into an environment of the same sort in the food industry.

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

I have learnt how to successfully manage my workload and therefore keep up to date with deadlines and also manage a part-time job on the side too which has taught me how to manage my finances which was hard in 1st year to balance everything from rent to social life but now over the two years I feel completely ready to be able to work full-time and maintain all aspects of daily life efficiently and methodically.

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?

After gaining my degree in Food Science and Nutrition, I aim to start work in 2015 in the Food Industry with the hope to work in New Product Development for a large food manufacturing company. I am currently applying to Graduate Schemes to help me kick start my career. Most importantly the teaching materials from lectures over the past three years have been a huge help to me in learning more about the Scientific knowledge of my course that can be applied to my future career, alongside doing a compulsory 5 week placement module which gave me an excellent insight into the industry I aim to work in which was invaluable experience.

Have you worked on any projects with businesses or been on a placement? What were your most memorable experiences?

Working at Gregg’s Head Office in Leeds was a fantastic placement that I undertook during April-May 2014. I was able to take on my own role and was given a huge amount of responsibility within the work place which has given me much confidence with working in the food industry after graduation and the ability to see how food manufacturing works on such a large scale.

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

I would tell any prospective students considering Northumbria University, that this is a University that can offer so much more than just a degree. From the endless variety of teams, societies and fundraising events to get involved with to the excellent facilities and most importantly the positive, warm and supportive approach that the staff at the University never fail to deliver. I would also say that as a city in general, I have always felt so secure and safe and believe this University has a true community atmosphere.

How do you feel you have changed as a person since being at Northumbria University, Newcastle?

I feel that I have become a lot more organised and disciplined and seen a real change in myself from 1st year to where I am now in 3rd Year. I believe the University has greatly helped me with this by the fantastic online facilities such as ELP ( blackboard ) and being able to keep up to date with the Desktop Anywhere facility too, meaning I am able to study at home as well as on Campus.

If you had 3 words to sum up your time with us what would they be?

Captivating, emotive and extraordinary

Would you recommend Northumbria University to a friend?

I would absolutely recommend Northumbria University to not only a friend but general members of the public also. I have had the opportunity to recommend the univeristy when working Open Days and Applicant Visit Days for the University. I really enjoy engaging with the general public and being able to voice my opinion from a student’s perspective and in a non-corporate way to emphasise how great my time has been at Northumbria.