We were invited to contribute to the October 2025 edition of PiXL Insights on Stretching and challenging more able learners. Two of our student ambassadors who have taken part in our programmes provided articles about their experiences of higher education. Here, Law Student at Royal Holloway, Chiara Koca speaks about how the academic and pastoral support she received through The Scholars Programme prepared her for university life.
My journey began in Year 12 when I realised, I did not want to leave education behind so soon. As conversations about the future became much more frequent, it truly sank in that university could be the next step. Unlike some people, I did not have a vivid and idealised career path in my mind, I never rushed to grow up or think much about what the future would hold. I chose to study Law not because of desires to seek justice or any similar passion, but because it appeared to be a career worth exploring – something I would find useful to learn from. Yet, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have received and the ambition it has sparked in me. I never imagined walking into my lectures and seminars with ease, but surprisingly I did.
As a first-generation student with no idea what to expect, I confidently submitted my first coursework during autumn term and earned a high 2:1 grade. I had expected that result, thanks to the tremendous support I received, helping me settle into such a prestigious environment. As Prospects Luminate highlights, ‘first generation students rely on support from tutors and academic staff who they regard as experts’, and in my case, without that extra support from experts, my transition would not have been as plain sailing.
The question is: what and who made me feel this prepared? Without the immense academic and pastoral support I received throughout participating in The Brilliant Club, I would not have felt nearly as ready. Being selected by my sixth form to take part in The Scholars Programme made me feel intimidated. At 17, the idea of producing university level work felt overwhelming, but the programme’s encouragement gave me the confidence I never knew I had. The extended project and additional tasks set, alongside juggling the chaotic revision for A Levels, meant that I had an early taste of university life. Balancing demands quickly became second nature.
Having a mentor in The Brilliant Club reassured me and provided me with crucial insights into university marking, academic standards to aim for, and vital knowledge I would not have gained otherwise. As Oliver Back notes, this challenging transition from doing A Levels to going onto university is a moment that is daunting – which I agree with completely. However, due to the extra support through university-like experience with coursework and being academically motivated by my Brilliant Club mentor, I was able to start my university experience with more confidence than I ever expected.
I cannot overstate how immensely the pastoral support I received impacted my preparation for university. A pivotal moment that made me significantly ready for university was when I was able to take in face-to-face conversations about university life through my trip to Oxford University organised by The Brilliant Club team. The uni students warmly welcomed our questions as curious sixth formers, and I was especially grateful for the chance to have one-on-one conversations with some of the current students afterwards, which I will always treasure as I had never spoken to anyone in university before.
As well as our mentor supporting us with invaluable emotional support, it was mainly the one-to-one interactions that I truly reflected on once becoming an undergraduate student. They gave me the clarity and self-assurance in myself as an undergraduate. Additionally, I was fortunate to participate in the Aspirations Diploma Programme during sixth form, which boosted my communication skills. Speaking to large audiences in person and over the phone with respected companies were new experiences that enhanced my networking skills. Discovering the wide range of societies at university reassured me and made me excited to join a community of like-minded individuals who I could network with.
Thriving through the lifestyleNow that I have completed my second year of university, it feels surreal – like it was yesterday that I was commuting to the beautiful campus I had admired as a sixth former. My initial fear has faded. Despite being the first in my immediate family to take this journey, that was not a disadvantage for me. Some ways I have demonstrated a sense of readiness include excelling in module exams, referencing correctly, balancing part-time work with holidays, and completing coursework to a high standard. I also know the value of networking early, leading me to secure a first-year internship scheme with a journalism organisation – an opportunity that allowed me to pursue my passion for writing and allowed me to connect with similar individuals, inspiring me to join my university’s magazine society where I have published several of my own pieces in print. Many of my peers had missed out on applying for first-year work experience, perhaps because they had not fully grasped what university life would demand before entering, but I am pleased to say I was not held back by that uncertainty.
If I could offer any feedback and reflection for schools, it would be to consider involving more recent undergraduates to share their experiences with current students. First-hand insights and words of wisdom are powerful tools that can help students feel prepared for university, and through my experience, the communication from undergraduates is what made me lose nerves before beginning university. I will always reminisce on when my English teacher sat me down after class and explained that a bad grade does not define my potential, which helped me realise that academic success is not the only way of getting far – practical experience and personal development is just as important, especially at university. Receiving a disappointing grade does not consume me – instead I still persevere whilst making the most effort to balance my academic tasks and social life, and this has opened incredible opportunities for me to volunteer and gain early work experience within the legal field that I am interested in exploring.
Looking back at my journey, I remember my Year 12 self as someone valuing education and the opportunities it affords. I knew I wanted to continue my studies, largely because of the exposure I had to university life during sixth form. These experiences helped me face what I once felt was intimidating, ultimately making me aware it would be a worthwhile step to pursuing higher education where more of these opportunities would come up, aiding me to secure a brighter future.
Written by Chiara Koca, Law Student and Ambassador for The Brilliant Club
To find out more about PiXL Insights and to read their other publications – focused on topics such as improving inclusion for learners with SEND, raising boys’ achievement, and partnering with parents for impact – click here.
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