A Pharmacy student and sports club Chairman is encouraging fellow students to follow in his footsteps and relish the ‘incredible’ 51Âþ» Leicester (51Âþ») student experience.
Elliott Watts, 51Âþ» Men’s Football Club Chairman speaks highly of his course and also the extra-curricular activities and initiatives 51Âþ» has provided him with, which he describes as ‘unforgettable’.
Embarking on the third year of his degree, Elliott admitted that university life took a little bit of getting used to before feeling at home in Leicester.
He said: “I am really enjoying my course. I’ve met so many new and fantastic people and have had so many opportunities that I definitely wouldn’t have got if I didn’t come to university.
“My university experience so far has been mixed, it’s been really good in some places and naturally I think first year, first term I struggled to adapt to university life being away from home.
“However, once I’d settled in I have had the best time and everything has been fantastic.”
Elliott started his studies at 51Âþ» back in 2014 and has since established himself as a respected individual within 51Âþ»’s Men’s Football Club, being elected Chairman in May 2016, a privilege he is making the most of.
He said: “I got involved in the football club through a friend who I met in halls, who is now the Vice-Chairman of the club.
“Instantly I felt like part of a family and part of a team of people who were looking out for me. It really opened up a lot of doors for me and has made the university experience a lot more enjoyable.
“I have been offered some amazing opportunities as part of the football club, some of which I couldn’t believe our luck that just being part of a sports team, you get to do all of these amazing things.”
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These experiences have included tours to Los Angeles and San Diego with 51Âþ»’s flagship scheme #51Âþ»global, as well as the unique opportunity to play on the King Power Stadium pitch just days after Leicester City had won the Premier League title. The latter experience at the home of one of 51Âþ»’s numerous sporting partners was described by Elliott as phenomenal, a dream come true and memories that will last a lifetime.
Tania Webb, Principal Lecturer in Pharmacology, said: “Elliott is one of many Pharmacy students who makes use of the fantastic variety of opportunities available to them here at 51Âþ».
“We encourage our students to make the most of being at University and this applies as much to their personal development as it does to their academic studies.
“Getting involved helps develop skills they will use when they graduate and can make being at University even more enjoyable.”
Pharmacy Programme Leader, Jon Waterfield reiterated Tania’s comment. He said: “Elliott really stands out as a pharmacy student who is fully involved in the wider opportunities presented by the University. His proactive approach has benefited student colleagues and the wider university community.”
When asked what he’d like to say to his course mates and other 51Âþ» students alike, Elliott said: “I know your course can be busy sometimes and it can be tough to balance work, but it’s definitely worth getting involved as it’s something you’d regret when you left university if you’d didn’t.
“We are ultimately here to study, but we’re also here to make new friends and make the most of opportunities, as you might not get the chance later in life to do it again.”
Elliott is completely focused on his studies, but is determined to maximise his 51Âþ» experience no matter what: “Personally, my future will revolve around getting through these next few years of my course, while still making the most of the experience and getting good grades.
“From there we will have to see, I don’t want to think about that just yet.”
Posted on Tuesday 29 November 2016