I am so grateful to receive the Anderson Prize for best overall performance and best thesis for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Before beginning the psychology conversion course, I spent a year and a half as a nanny. Getting to see two bright, funny, and kind children experience new things, develop new skills, and make their way around the world was so fulfilling and fascinating. It was this experience that led me to pursue a degree in psychology in an effort to understand more about the mind and, more specifically, child development.
My time at University of Aberdeen has been both challenging and rewarding. My previous degree had left me feeling unsure about a way forward, so I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to reimmerse myself in an academic environment and explore a new path. The coursework was far from easy, but I always felt so supported and motivated by my peers, tutors, and lecturers. I am especially thankful for my supervisor Dr Clare Kirtley for supporting me during the thesis writing process. Additionally, the diverse and inclusive community at University of Aberdeen has made me feel so comfortable and welcome even while being so far from home.
While I don’t have a specific career plan just now, I’m keeping an open mind and feel my degree has prepared me for a variety of different options. I would love to pursue research in some capacity as it was definitely my favorite aspect of the course. I am still fascinated by child development and would love to continue to explore that subject further.
Annalaura completed the MSc in Psychological Studies course in Janaury 2024 at the School of Psychology.