Gray Prothero Gibbs
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About Me:
Hello my name is Gray and I use they/them pronouns. I am an Education student but I originally did a year of Ecology before realising it wasn’t for me and changing degree. I have an anxiety condition and depression. I also have experience being a carer for my mum who has MS and bipolar. I am passionate about inclusion and this drives my work and all that I do. I like to volunteer with different charities and you will probably see me around as an ambassador for the university a lot too!
My course and my studies:
I absolutely love my degree which is BA Education. I love exploring all the different aspects from babies to adults and the processes of learning. I love when topics lead to debates because it really challenges your way of thinking and how we can be better teachers or practitioners. My current favourite module is Outdoor Education and Learning as we get to go on field trips to different beautiful locations in Norfolk. Changing degree was the best thing I did and I finally feel on the right path to being an educational researcher!
What is your favourite thing about your course?
My favourite thing about my course is all the opportunities that I have been opened up to. I have taken on several roles, from mentor at the charity IntoUniversity to School Convenor. In my roles I get to make a difference to a variety of students of different ages and allow them to achieve and be supported in what they want to achieve. I also got to have a busy summer taking up different internships in the space of educational research, I got to work with a variety of amazing researchers and really develop my passion for my subject. I am really building my CV and I couldn’t be happier for it!
Adjustments:
During my studies I have been supported by the university in several ways. In terms of adjustments I was allocated extra time and a smaller exam room, this helped relieve my anxiety for this setting. To deal with my caring responsibilities and own mental health I was additionally given easy access to extensions for coursework. This allows me flexibility that I need to look after my family and myself in these periods of stress.
Support at UEA:
Other support I have been offered is through Student Services. I have received support with my mental health in regards to being given one time therapy sessions. I find these really beneficial in times when my anxiety and depression are bad. There is also free workshops and events on mental health and mindfulness hosted by the university that I find beneficial. In regards to informal support, my lecturers and advisor are so unbelievably kind. Their doors are always open and are happy to chat with me and support me whenever I need it.
My journey to UEA:
I am a local student and my high school provided several trips to the university throughout my time. I had grown up seeing the UEA as an option for me to go to. I had visited several other universities but I always feared how far away they were from my family. I wanted to still support my mum and, to be honest, with my mental health I still needed the support from them. At the time I wasn’t in the mental health place to move miles away from home. The UEA was perfect for my situation, it did the course I wanted, it felt familiar and was close to home.
I feel like I have more support now at university than I did at sixth form, but in a different way. In sixth form I had a counsellor who I spoke to fortnightly and a very supportive form tutor who I would go and talk his ear of so often. At university I have that support as mentioned in my lectures and Student Services which is similar to sixth form but I also have the support in adjustments for my work and the support of the DSA. The DSA provided me with free formal counselling, a laptop, a printer and some apps. These allow me to engage in university to my fullest potential.
What would I have done differently?
I feel like I put a lot of shame on myself for my mental health. I wish I was more open about it and allowed myself to access support without feeling guilty. There are so many people who want to help you if you only let them.
I would also not have allowed myself to think so heavily about how ‘uni is supposed to be the best time of my life’. I felt pressured to mask my mental health, to seem happy even when I was struggling. University can be hard and that’s okay, it’s not supposed to be perfect. Put yourself first and do what you can but be mindful of your limits.
What is something I wish I knew before starting university?
I wish I knew that lecturers aren’t scary people. They want to hear your ideas and chat with you. So book sessions with them to chat to them and put your hand up in class. I have made some amazing connections and these aided me in getting internships with them because they knew my passions and interests. Don’t shy away, make yourself known. You are paying to be here after all, make the most of everything.
Hobbies and interests / clubs and societies:
A lot of what I do in my free time is connected to my degree. I am a Senior Ambassador so get to constantly work with amazing students and young people. I volunteer for IntoUniversity, mentoring a lovely year 7 girl currently. I volunteer with Girl Guiding, running meetings and fun activities for my group of girls as their leader. I also am School Convenor of EDU, this means I help with the student voice system at the university and making our courses the best they can be.
I am currently setting up the Education Society, that is the only society I am part of at the minute.
In regards to non-degree based activities I love to draw and paint in my spare time. I also love to be in nature and go for a nice walk.
My favourite thing about UEA / Norwich:
My favourite thing about UEA is the community feeling. I walk around campus and see so many people I recognise. Always someone to have a chat with and everyone is generally kind. I feel safe on campus and like there is so much to do!
My future plans are...
When I finish my undergraduate degree I would love to go onto a master’s and then a PhD. My dream is to be an educational researcher who researches the theme of belonging and inclusion, specifically in regards to non-binary and queer students.
But I would also love to work in the charity sector or outreach so I hope I can find a way to merge both of them together.