Post by Pooja Balachandran

Hello Connections! It means a lot to be able to share that after three years at UCL, I’ll be graduating with First Class Honours in BSc Applied Medical Sciences! ——————————————————————————— Moving to London from Malaysia, living alone away from family for the first time was such a drastic shift from everything I was used to. Maybe I’ve romanticised London a little too much before, which made living there seem so unbelievably elating. In all that excitement, I fell into the (rather popular) mindset that first year was just for ‘settling in’ and the ‘real work’ would start second year onwards. There was a level of entitlement I felt, like I owed it to myself to fully ‘enjoy’ the time I had in London. Looking back, that mindset stuck around way longer than I wanted, pretty much all throughout second year. Then came final year and wow, reality really hit me. I suddenly realised that the next six months could make or break my whole degree AND my chances after graduation. Every SINGLE assignment, every exam, it all felt like too much was riding on it (Because there was.) And of course, there was my dissertation looming over everything. I ended up spending most of my time locked in my room, just trying to catch up. Final year carried the most weightage, and I knew I couldn’t afford to mess it up. There were certain points where I felt like tapping out. But the thought of how much my loved ones were counting on me never let me falter. I couldn’t let my own lapses be the reason I let them down. So I did the only thing I could do. Locked in and pushed till the end. That’s why graduating with a First Class Hons degree means more than I can explain. Receiving that email, and seeing my results, I have NEVER felt relief like that before. Looking back, I WISH I had approached my first two years with more balance. Perhaps, final year wouldn’t have been as intense. But regardless, my time in London was so special. It truly was the best three-years I could’ve asked for. I’m incredibly grateful to my parents for giving me the chance to experience all of this, and to everyone I met along the way. These past few years have taught me so much, from independence to responsibility. But more than anything else, I gained a real understanding of resilience and the confidence that I can handle pressure and finish strong, wherever I go next. Now that I’m back home in Johor, I’m genuinely excited to figure out what comes next. I’m looking to explore opportunities in medical sales, a field I see myself growing in, both professionally and personally. It feels like the right space to apply my science background in a more people-focused way. I’m very much inclined to the idea of making healthcare solutions more accessible, and being able to communicate science effectively. If you’re in the field, or have any advice for someone just starting out, I’d love to hear from you. Thank you!