Lori Gilbert Winner: Lori Gilbert collects her certificate from Dr Annie Grant (l) and Ms Alison Rhodes (r)

The first prize of £200 is awarded to Lori Gilbert, a part-time Masters student in the School of Language and Communication Studies (LCS). An American by birth, Lori has lived in the UK for six years and balances her studies with a full- time post in the Learning and Teaching Service at UEA. She is also a keen athlete, taking part in karate, table tennis and cycling.

The competition linked in with UEA’s innovative Live/Learn marketing campaign and has given the organisers a valuable insight into how UEA students balance their personal and educational development – using humorous anecdotes, practical advice and moving personal stories.

One theme that emerged from the entries was a holistic approach to study, in that students do not compartmentalise their different activities, but use experience gained from one part of their life, to help them develop in another. For example, Lori’s prize- winning essay stated: “…what I mean by non-compartmentalisation is letting the boundaries between my activities merge. Learning in seminars teaches me a lot about personal relationships, and physical exercise teaches me a lot about setting academic goals and bouncing back from a bad exam.  It’s a system of symbiosis….. My degree, my job, my social life, and my hobby are all flavours in a rainbow popsicle.  I don’t juggle my activities; they all belong together.”

Sporting activity as a source of well-being was also evident. One student wrote about the importance of social interaction and physical fitness to their mental well-being. 

The essays also show that UEA students are already demonstrating their employability, by putting into place considered strategies for time management and self-motivation which are valued by employers.

Read Lori's essay: Lori Gilbert PDF 78.8KB

Runner-up prizes were also awarded to:
Vânia Mendes Alves who has just graduated with a BSc (Hons) from the School of Biological Sciences (BIO) - £50; James Craske who has just graduated with a BA (Hons) from the School of Political, Social and International Studies (PSI) - £25; and Peter Walker who has just completed his second year as an Undergraduate in the School of History - £25. Congratulations to all of you.

Read the runner up essays: Vania Mendes Alves 65Kb  James Craske 204Kb  Peter Walker 178 Kb 
 
Judging Panel:
Dr Annie Grant, Dean of Students
Professor Geoff Moore, Director of Taught Programmes
Ms Alison Rhodes, Director of University Services (Postgraduate Research Students, Partnerships and Equality and Diversity)
Mr Dan Youmans, Community and Student Rights Officer, Union of UEA Students