Why I chose Higher Education - by Ruby Smith

Going to university was perhaps one of the best things that I have ever done. I came to Liverpool John Moores University in September 2021, when the world was only just recovering from the lockdowns and Coronavirus as a whole. I study journalism, and I am just finishing up my second year. Sometimes it is a little overwhelming because you’re doing something new, and seemingly alone. I faced a bit of difficulty over whether or not to disclose my ethnicity as a Romany Gypsy, but then I rationalized to myself that it was nothing to be ashamed of - quite the opposite - and I began to talk about it, and give my perspectives on things. I have had no repercussions from it.

Millie Cooper, who attended Goldsmiths University of London, moved there for her course. She studied performance, politics and society: “I was firstly quite nervous to talk about my ethnicity at university, and it wasn’t until my second year that I started to open up, once I had settled around people and they knew me for me," says Millie Cooper.

"I think that’s quite a terrible thing to have to deal with, to hide a part of yourself through fear of what people would think of you, and when I first told people, I was hit with misconceptions and naivety on my heritage," continues Millie Cooper. "That was hard to confront and have those conversations, sometimes I felt that some were interested and just didn’t know and were willing to learn, other times I felt that people were being overtly racist to me, you can always tell the difference.”

For months during covid, I had been desperate to get back to my life, as I am sure many others reading this were. I had watched the days turn into weeks turn into months, and I had turned the pages of the calendar, feeling as if every moment was longer than the last.

And then when I finally got to Liverpool, I fell in love. The large, looming buildings are gorgeous, the liver birds atop the iconic building named for them, and the atmosphere which comes alive in the city at night. For the first few weeks, I did something almost everyday. I love tourist attractions, even when I’m back in my hometown, but Liverpool just took my breath away - it still does.

Part of growing up and going to university is the adventure, and I think that is the best part. It can be scary; it should be scary. Going to a university almost 200 miles away from my home and my family was scary, and there were times when I wanted nothing more than to go home. So I did. That’s a top tip from me. If you feel like you need to go home and have some normality - go. Book the train, or a coach and go. Take the time off work, and when you get home don’t worry about what you’ve left behind. Rest and relax, give your mum a cuddle and pet the dog.

As a Romany Gypsy, and for anybody who has come from a close knit family, it is important for me to know when I am going home and that it is set in stone. I go home probably once every six weeks, even if it’s only for a weekend, and my mum comes up to see me in between. It is unusual for a month to go by without one of us making the journey to see the other. My other tip is to make your own family where you are. Make your best friends, and rely on them. Let them rely on you; everybody is in the same boat, even if they don’t want to acknowledge it. You’re all missing your families and your pets, and the workload given to you at university is near enough suffocating. Go to uni and make a family. For GRT, family is perhaps the most important thing, and that doesn’t change just because you move away… and don’t feel guilty for doing it. You’re giving yourself a chance to do something great with your life and with your future, and for future generations. A study by the Institute of Education found that children with parents who went to university are five times more likely to go themselves. With a degree, you will more than likely earn a larger salary.

You’re doing this for you, and for your family. You’re going to university to better yourself and your chances.

By Ruby Smith for TT features

(Lead photo of Ruby Smith. (c) Ruby Smith)