My journey through the spring school

Students from the 2024 Spring School reflect on their experience on the course, including their motivations for applying in the first place, what they were hoping to get out of the course, and their biggest takeaways and achievement from engaging with the seven-week programme.

What was your motivation for signing up to the spring school?

I was motivated to sign up for the spring school at UCL for several reasons: the desire to learn about new topics, to chance gain first-hand experience of university life at a top-tier university, and the willingness to commit to a structured learning schedule. I was confident that this course would be a transformative experience, enriching my knowledge and preparing me for future academic endeavours.

First and foremost, the opportunity to delve into new and intriguing topics was highly appealing. This course promised to expand my intellectual horizons in ways that are both challenging and rewarding.

Attending a prestigious institution like UCL was another significant motivator. UCL’s reputation for academic excellence is renowned globally, and the prospect of being able to experience the high standards and rigorous intellectual environment that UCL embodies, even temporarily, was incredibly exciting.

I was eager to commit to attending the teaching sessions at UCL for seven weeks. This commitment not only reflected my enthusiasm for the subject matter but also my willingness to invest time and effort into education, helping me to develop a disciplined study routine and enhance my time management skills, which are crucial for my future academic success.

The experience of university life was also something I was keen to explore. By participating in this course, I got a first-hand glimpse of what it’s like to study at a university level, interact with university professors, and engage with fellow students who share similar academic interests. This experience will help me to make informed decisions about my future educational path.

Written by Abdisamed

The idea of learning more about my subjects outside of school is what motivated me to apply to the spring school. I applied to the spring school thinking that I wouldn’t get in as it sounded too good to be true, and I was thrilled when I heard that I had been accepted! The spring school allowed me to meet others that were the same age as me and studying the same subjects as me which was an additional bonus to the experience. The last session consisted of a fun day during which we toured Parliament and presented the infographics that we had been working on, showcasing all the work we had done throughout the spring school. Overall, the experience was amazing, and I would highly recommend it.

Written by A

Why were you interested in engaging in the spring school?

I was thrilled at the prospect of engaging in the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) spring school for several reasons.

The opportunity to delve into longitudinal research and better understand its influence on policy was immensely appealing.  I am really interested in impactful social research, so it was interesting to learn about how data collected across many decades can shape political decisions and inform public opinion on particular topics. CLS’s rich history of impactful research and its commitment to addressing pressing social issues resonates with my own aspirations to contribute to meaningful change. I found presenting research findings using infographics really exciting, as it offers a creative and hands-on approach to communication which makes research accessible and engaging to a broader audience.

Visiting the Houses of Parliament and getting to see firsthand where policies are debated and formed added a practical dimension to the theoretical knowledge gained throughout the spring school. This spring school experience undoubtedly gave me unique insights into the policy-making process and the role of research in informing legislative decisions. It also gave me an introduction to university life at UCL, allowing me to hear about different undergraduate courses available, and to interact with experts and current students. I found that engaging in the social activities, such as the bowling trip, and meeting peers with similar interests helped me grow, both personally and academically.

Written by Esha

I was interested in engaging with the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) spring school because I wanted to develop my research skills so that I could include them on my personal statement for university. When applying, I was unsure how relevant the experience would be as an aspiring medical student. However, I am really grateful that I joined the spring school as I gained many valuable, transferable skills. For example, I developed presentation skills, teamwork and leadership skills.

On top of this, I learnt a lot of about politics and policy making which I was knew little about before. It was a great opportunity to meet new people and learn new things across different academic fields. Even as a STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) student, gaining an insight into the various statistics on inequalities and mental health cases in the population of the UK was very engaging. The spring school definitely made me a more knowledgeable person, because now I know cool statistics most people would have never thought to search up!

Written by Zaina

How has the spring course influenced your thinking for your own academic future? 

Before the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) Spring School, I already had plans of becoming a neuroscientist but there were virtually no opportunities available for me to indulge in my passion for research surrounding health, especially that of the enigmatic brain. Many of the other options available would focus on those aspiring to work in a clinical setting. This struck me because neuroscience is an ever-growing field. We are constantly developing new technology to further our knowledge, from imaging to psychometrics. Applying for this course broadened my understanding because, not only did I know nothing about the longitudinal research that had been taking place for numerous decades, I also learned that scientific research could be applied to policy-making.

Written by Yasmin