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Kari-Ann Mundy - BA (Hons) Drama in the Community with Community Studies

I want to promote the fact that everyone is entitled to HE, not just the chosen few.

I come from the smallest city in the UK - Wells, where I grew up with my parents and my sister. I did ballet and gym as a child and was regularly involved in shows with the local theatre. I went to the local primary school where I learnt to play the guitar, the recorder and became part of the choir. I also had private lessons in violin and piano; hence my love for music. I am the first generation in my family to study a Higher Education course. University brought out the best in me and has made me feel very eager to fulfil my ambitions in life. It is also the place where I met my boyfriend who is now doing a postgraduate course in Cardiff.

I started at University at 19 years of age and I graduated in 2003 (I took a gap year after college). I went on to Higher Education because I wanted to fulfil my educational potential and felt that by doing a degree I could build myself a brighter future and work towards my career goals. I also wanted to experience life as a student at university and it was an opportunity to be thrown in at the deep end and meet lots of people all in the same boat.

I chose my degree subject because I was always involved in drama and the theatre as a child and through my teens. I loved it - hence my reason for wanting to do a subject that I could relate to, and also one that I knew I would enjoy.

The best thing about University was that my college was like one big family and everyone really looked out for one another, which was the best thing about being there. Also the fact that I made some wonderful friends. The nightlife was great too!

The worst thing was the fact that it was out of town and we all lived in town after the first year, which meant early starts to avoid the rush hour in the morning! (It wasn't that bad really.)

I didn't have a full time schedule of lectures every week so I worked part time in the Student Union shop and also worked on a casual basis as a Student Ambassador. Neither job interfered with my studies as I planned my time wisely. If anything, being a Student Ambassador in particular was great experience as the work I did throughout this role helped me to get my current job.

My first job after graduating (still my current job) was as Student Support Officer at Bridgwater College. I manage and oversee the Student Union, organise trips and residentials, coordinate RAG (raising and giving) day - one of the colleges' biggest fundraising events of the year, offer support, advice and guidance to students, handle the SU budget and organise college parties on a regular basis. These are just some of the duties I carry out as part of my job role.

After studying for my degree I began a PGCE for a while and received support due to my hearing problem. Help was very accessible at the college and all the support staff were extremely helpful in making sure all my needs were met. I received a laptop computer with a printer and a digital recorder so I could record my lectures. I also received handouts from a couple of lecturers, which was beneficial.

My advice to others who are thinking about going to university is to go for it! It's not only an opportunity to obtain a degree or even higher-level qualification; it is also an opportunity to gain some wonderful life experience. However, do be sure to choose a course that really suits your wants and needs as you will be doing it for three years and that's a long time to be doing something you're unhappy about. On the other hand, choose the right course and you'll have a ball.

My financial advice to others is don't go overboard with your spending as soon as you get your loan, I knew so many people who went out on a mad one for the first two weeks each term and then they were totally skint for the rest of term! Get a part time job if possible; the extra pocket money is great! If at all possible, try and get some part time work that relates to what you want to do in the future, as this can be a great way of getting your foot in the door.

The best things about my current job are that I am gaining yet more great experience to help me progress further in my career path, and I am finally earning a salary!

My hopes for the future? I wish to continue working in education but would like to work in Higher Education in the future, maybe on Widening Participation, trying to raise the aspirations of young people and promote the fact that everyone is entitled to HE, not just the chosen few. I am also considering a career in the police force.More Stories >