Personal Statement:Psychology77

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I have been working in a cancer charity for three years as a story teller and writer. Listening to the patients' and their family members' stories and experiences and also sharing my story with them, as my mother was diagnosed with cancer, has helped them to trust me with their feelings and thoughts. Here, I was involved in the clinical and health branches of psychology. During the three years, it soon became clear to me that the patients' general wellbeing was heavily influenced by their psychological state, and whilst not directly related to their cancer treatment, I found that emotional support and advice certainly improved the patients' outlook and general mood. I have met many patients who were in denial and refused to get help, but also met many patients who loved life, and fought tirelessly. This had shown me the importance of psychology in our life, and how having the proper psychological treatment, alongside medical treatment can save a life. Listening to these stories, has taught me to sympathise, and understand the patients' different thoughts and feelings, which has allowed me to see practical evidence of a theory I read in 'The Feeling Good Handbook' by David D. Burns.

As an international student, I am fully aware that it would be a priceless opportunity to enrol in the Psychology department, when I go abroad to study this year. Higher education to me is all about providing the environment needed to develop my knowledge and skills needed in today's global workforce, including refining my English language skills with new friends and in lectures and seminars to help me achieve my full potential. Without a shadow of doubt, UK University will offer me a world-class education - the chance to follow my passion for learning and gain qualifications respected by institutions and academics worldwide.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

I have been working in a team and organising charity projects to aid those who are most vulnerable and hard to reach. It, therefore, has developed many aspects such as responsibility, project planning, and co-operation. Here, I learnt how the team's success is dependent on the whole, how to organise events effectively in short time and under pressure, and how to distribute the duties and tasks between the team. Planning projects, and writing proposals, has taught me how to develop and create new ideas efficiently. Also, dealing with people with different age groups and different disabilities, has improved my communication skills on many levels.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

During the 2012 unrest in Gaza, I worked with children who had suffered from high levels of fear, stress and anger, and post-traumatic disorders, and there were widespread problems with coping and interacting. Many families were displaced and lost their loved ones. I worked round the clock to help with the injured and displaced. Through that experience, I have learned that children were easier to communicate with and give treatment to than with the eldest. For example, the concept of death from children's points of view is totally different from that of adults, and children are more confused about the idea of death, war, and the loss of loved ones, therefore their sadness were more forgettable. Even though I had a little knowledge about psychological treatment methods and techniques, I was able to support them emotionally, and help them throughout that period as much as I could. This experience made me realise, how intrinsically I wanted to help people, and that I enjoyed working with those in difficult emotional states. Whilst it is certainly rewarding to see people improve, and the joy this brings to them and their family, I also understand that outcomes are not always positive and as a result, I relish the challenge in remaining determined and loyal to a patient through times when no improvement is observed.

Universities applied to:

• University
• Durham
• Brunel
• Cardiff
• Kingston

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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