We sat down with Film student and Student Ambassador Jonny Banning to talk about his route to university and the support he has received at St Mary’s.
Jonny took his BTECs in 2021 and originally applied for Primary Education at St Mary’s before changing to Film Studies.
We asked Jonny what it was like making the subject switch, as well as how he has found his time at the University so far.
What made you choose to apply to St Mary’s?
I chose to study at St Mary’s because it ticked all of my boxes. The small campus gave me a sense of community compared to the bigger universities I had visited. It’s also not too far away from my hometown, so I knew I could easily see my friends and family by getting the bus or train home.
The staff and students were all amazing on the Open Days, even during COVID times they were happy to show me around the campus and provided me with so much information that answered all my questions.
All of this made me feel like I belonged at St Mary’s, and I was right!
What subjects and qualifications did you do at school and college?
I took my GCSEs in 2019, where I studied Geography, PE, Media Studies, and Music. I have always been a practical person and have struggled with academic writing due to my dyslexia, so I used my GCSEs to my advantage and chose subjects which had more of a practical learning focus.
I passed all my GCSEs and then went on to study for a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Public Services. This course allowed me to enhance my practical learning skills, it was also 100% coursework which was perfect for me. Exams have never been my thing and not having them looming over me anymore was a massive relief.
I finished college in 2021 with a D*D*D which is equivalent to 3 A-levels.
What was the application journey like?
My application process was slightly different, as I originally applied to study Primary Education at St Mary’s. This involved attending an interview, where I met the lecturers, discussed the education system in England and presented a book that I thought would be beneficial to children at Primary School. This interview was a great opportunity for me to get to know the campus, and my lecturers, and to further understand the course. This process gave me a lot of confidence before starting university.
Switching from Primary Education to Film was a difficult decision but St Mary’s made the move so easy and simple. The Head of Primary Education was so understanding and helped me through the process. I met with the Course Lead for Film to discuss the course in detail and that’s when I knew it was for me.
The overall support I was given for this transition was amazing, and gave me even more confidence and motivation to carry on at university.
How did your BTECs prepare me for university-level study?
The way I was assessed during my BTECs is very similar to how I’m assessed at university, as there are no single exams that determine my grades. The coursework I completed at college gave me an advantage when it came to completing assignments at university.
Academic referencing is always a struggle for first-year students, but I already had a good understanding of bibliographies and referencing, as this is something I previously learned at college.
How have you found your time at St Mary’s?
My time at St Mary’s has been some of the best years of my life. The opportunities I have been given and the friends I have made have been amazing.
I’ve been able to work at the University in the Catering Department and as a Student Ambassador. Through these roles, I have developed my teamwork and public speaking skills and have built a good CV for when I graduate.
I also get the support I need for my dyslexia at St Mary’s, to further improve my academic skills. My confidence has also improved so much. Three years ago, I was shy and afraid of social situations, but now I have a great group of friends and feel confident in myself to deliver presentations for my degree and to school children in my role as a Student Ambassador.
How have you found the student and academic support at St Mary’s?
The academic and student support is fantastic at St Mary’s. The support sessions have been easy to access and have helped improve my academic writing skills. The sessions are very professional and give you a step-by-step guide on skills such as grammar and mature writing, and you can access these sessions at any time.
The student support has also been brilliant. The wellbeing staff are so welcoming and have supported me through some rough times. They have helped me grow as a person and made me feel better about myself and the things I have achieved.
The wellbeing sessions are run by trained counsellors, all you have to do is sign up and four sessions are appointed to you. You can ask for more if needed as well. The Counsellors are very approachable and are great to talk to if you are struggling with anything during your time at university.
What advice would you give to any incoming students?
Try not to worry. There is not one set way of coming to university. I didn’t go through the “traditional route” and I have achieved a lot at university and am now working towards a First next year.
University can be for everyone no matter what route you take to get there.