It was lovely to welcome back two very familiar faces to Woldingham this week, albeit virtually, with the return of our ‘In Conversation With…’ talks, where a member of staff interviews an alumna undergraduate about their chosen subject, course and university life.

First up was 2021 leaver Milan Wood at lunchtime on Tuesday 8 February, who beamed in from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, where she is studying computer science, to chat with Mr Rattle, Head of Computer Science, and to answer questions from students gathered in the Goddard Room. As well as talking about the computer science course at St Andrews, which she is very much enjoying, and explaining how Scotland’s university system differs from England’s, Milan shared her thoughts on the transition from A Level to undergraduate study. She advised students not to try to take on too many new activities all at once when joining university as juggling these, socialising, eating and sleeping can become too demanding as coursework ramps up. Milan also recalled with gratitude a Woldingham Sixth Form session on managing finances that has come in very useful to her, saying “everything adds up … you do need to keep an eye on the little things”.  

On Thursday 10 February, ‘Economics beyond the valley’ was the theme of Head of Economics Mr Bohanna’s conversation with Natasha Finch (2018). Natasha went into lots of useful detail about studying economics at the prestigious London School of Economics, where she is now in her third year. One key piece of advice she offered to students is to keep all their A Level notes as she’s referred to them constantly during her degree course. Natasha shared her thoughts on the difference between campus and non-campus universities, such as LSE, where you need to be more proactive in making friends. She also advised students to be proactive when needing help with their studies, or anything else, when at university. Help is there but, unlike in Woldingham’s ‘nurturing’ valley, it’s not offered to you, you have to seek it out.

We are very grateful to both former Deputy Head Girls for taking time out of their busy schedules to talk to students this week.