Haleemah is the first in her family to attend University and is now in her third year studying Dentistry. Haleemah was awarded an Excellence Scholarship in recognition of her hard work and outstanding achievements.
My name is Haleemah, and I am in my third year studying Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London. My commute to campus takes two hours each way but due to family commitments and the extortionate rent prices, this is the most affordable option, despite being very inconvenient.
The past three years have gone really well, and I am definitely enjoying my course. I get on really well with patients and my tutors have been incredibly encouraging. I have just received my end of year exam results and I am so proud of everything I have achieved so far.
I initially chose dentistry because I wanted a career path that would ensure I could continue to provide for my family and dentistry sounded like a great option. Coming from a disadvantaged background has definitely had its challenges but I am so proud to at university, and I can’t wait to progress through the rest of my degree and deliver excellent care for my patients.
I was actually the first student to go into dentistry from my sixth form in the last eighteen years, so I have continued to work closely with my former sixth form to make dentistry accessible for more students looking to go to university. My former teachers were very proactive in helping other students follow in my footsteps and I have been helping to run sessions on exam preparation workshops on all the required things they need to get into dentistry. I was navigating the process myself as well as helping my peers, so it wasn’t easy, but I think it is so important to make students aware of all the opportunities available to them.
I chose to study at Queen Mary after receiving a very warm welcome at all stages of applying and interviewing for my place at university. Everyone was so friendly, and I had only heard great things about the institution. I definitely made the right decision, and I am so proud to be a student at Queen Mary University of London.
When I found out that I had been awarded a scholarship for academic excellence, I was ecstatic. It feels so lovely to be rewarded for my hard work. I work alongside my studies and typically find myself working 30 hours a week which is really challenging during exam periods so this funding has meant I can put slightly less pressure on working and focus more on my studies. I am finding it really hard to cover my expenses, but I know that I am definitely not alone in this.
Despite my challenging circumstances, I am really excited and hopeful for the future. I am particularly interested exploring the various specialities within dentistry and I am looking forward to gaining clinical experience in my fourth and fifth year, whilst working on more complex cases within dentistry.
I am profoundly grateful to all of the donors and staff who made the Academic Excellence Scholarship possible. Your generosity and support have been instrumental in my academic journey. Being recognised for achieving the highest grades in my year has significantly boosted my confidence and reinforced my belief in the value of hard work and perseverance. This scholarship is not just a reward but a source of immense encouragement, and it has inspired me to aim even higher in my future endeavours.