Connie Cole - Criminology
I would definitely recommend a degree at Derby. You'll get continuous support from the lecturers and there's a really friendly atmosphere.
”Connie studied her degree in Criminology, and won The Nick Bell Memorial Award for Exceptional Contribution to University Life
The value of education
I decided to enter Higher Education mainly due to my mum; she did her Bachelors and Masters degrees as I was growing up, and by seeing what she has achieved from so little led me to believe any further education that can be achieved is so valuable for later life.
Studying Crime and Justice at Derby
I really enjoyed studying Crime and Justice due to it being so diverse; no two lectures were the same. Like everything I have studied, there is always theory work which can be hard to grasp, however, the lecturers always make sure we have a full understanding before moving on. We have learnt about a variety of subjects such as a hostage taking, the psychology behind crime, and miscarriages of justice. We look at multi-disciplinary criminal justice agencies and to gain an informed view of these organisations, we often have individuals coming in and talking to us about them.
Derby - the best for student support
I chose to come to Derby because of the first open day I came to, I had visited several others and I did not find any which compared to Derby with regard to student support. Derby did not disappoint. I had some problems during my first year which meant I had to regularly return home, and as my lecturer always had an open door policy, I knew I had support there if I needed it. In third year I would not have been able to succeed without the support of my lecturers.
Challenging but rewarding
The most rewarding thing is the final completion of all of the third year work. It's the hardest year, primarily because of the Independent Study, but to get the results was the best feeling in the world. There are always going to be challenging aspects to the course, but it if there wasn't you wouldn't feel like you had achieved anything. It is necessary to plan and organise as much as possible, and if you need help, to ask, because the lecturers will always be there to ensure that you will succeed.
Friends for life
Finding a balance between studying and your social life at Derby seems difficult at first, as you are so busy making new friends, you forget about doing pre-reading and thinking about deadlines! However, the lecturers know that there is going to be a period of adjustment while student life is being "tested out". And it isn't long before you realise that a compromise needs to be made between socialising and doing work. Three years later, and I still have the same friends I met on the first day. I regularly see them, several of them have continued with the Masters programme so I get to see them weekly.
Great facilities
Derby has a great library, which is where I spend the majority of my time when I'm studying, or when I have essays due in! There are several floors, which have just been renovated, and there are different areas for different needs - whether you need a loud area for discussing group work, or a quiet area for individual study.
Recommending Derby
I would recommend a degree at Derby due to the university itself being in a great location, close to the town centre and near to the various halls of residences. I also would recommend a degree at Derby due to the continuous support from lecturers and the continuous friendly atmosphere.
Progressing to postgraduate study
Without successfully completing the Undergraduate degree, I would not be in a position to undertake my MSc. We learnt how to deliver presentations, write competencies, and write reports; which already have been useful for my MSc. These will be skills which I will continue to use and develop throughout my academic and occupational career. I am now undertaking my MSc in Criminal Investigations at the University of Derby, and I chose to remain at Derby because I am confident in the course they would be delivering, in the lecturers teaching abilities and the support I would receive.
Winning the award
Winning The Nick Bell Memorial Award is such an honour. I had met Nick on a few occasions as he was in some of my lectures and we always had a lot of fun. I was so surprised when I received the letter, it's just a lovely achievement to end my Undergraduate experience with.
