I chose to do a Foundation Year because I had not studied Economics in secondary school and did not take it as part of my Baccalauréat. I felt that a Foundation Year would give me the opportunity to explore the subject and build a solid understanding before progressing to the full degree.

My Foundation Year was a transformative experience that set the tone for the rest of my time at Loughborough. Academically, it provided a useful balance between familiar and new material, some modules built on concepts I had already encountered at school, which made the transition to university study more manageable, while others introduced me to subjects such as Economics and Accounting for the first time. Initially, I found some of the new concepts challenging but the support from my lecturers helped me keep up and gradually build my confidence.

On a personal level, it was my first time living away from my family, so I learned how to manage my time, balance my studies with extracurricular commitments and become more independent.

I found the transition to the full degree much smoother than I had expected. I arrived in first year already familiar with the campus, university systems, support services and study expectations. The Foundation Year had helped me develop effective study habits, so the step up in workload and expectations felt manageable rather than overwhelming. I was also fortunate to already have a strong network of friends and connections already in place, which made the experience feel far less daunting than it might otherwise have been.

Perhaps the biggest advantage was the confidence I had built during the Foundation Year. Going into first year, I felt ready – not just academically but personally. That sense of readiness made all the difference.