My personal statement.

Throughout my life I have used my creativity and ability to come up with new ideas and innovative ways of approaching things to overcome obstacles, challenges and to make progress in a positive way.

At this point in my education, I have a number of ideas as to how to direct my abilities into a career and eventually start my own media company. Knowing that there are many skills and directions I have not yet explored, I see University as the perfect place to hone my skills and explore these avenues in more detail. I am excited about learning new things, using film, media and photography/videography to channel my creativity.

Because of my passion for all things related to visual media, photography, and film I taught myself numerous advanced skills independently via the internet and YouTube at an early age, when access to these things was unavailable via the alternative education route I was in. Using these skills, I created four businesses between the ages of 7-17 in order to help support our home and to finance my interest in media. From making driftwood sculptures at seven to creating a range of bespoke, designed PC and gaming peripherals which I sell via social media and my website.

When I was 10, I started my second business by doing something I was passionate about. I created graphic design illustrations for people and started this business because I wanted my Mother who brought me up alone to have no stress or worry about money. This gave me dedication and the drive to work hard and do something which makes me happy and helps my Mother. I earned enough in 1 month to pay off things my Mother was worried and stressed about and even got her a new TV for Christmas. I managed to do this because I was motivated and dedicated, I would do everything to get better and do what I love in the process. From childhood I have always used creativity in anything I approach. Photography, film, or redesigning my room, everything has had an aesthetic and something different. Having had a very alternative early education which had little access to the technology I enjoyed working with, I self-taught myself from YouTube how to render 3D design, build my own gaming pc, build a film set & many other skills. Entering mainstream education, aged 14, I had to work incredibly hard to catch up on the core subjects my contemporaries had been studying to pass GCSEs. I won my place at South Devon college not through my entry exam, which I failed abysmally, but through my interview, personality, and determination to succeed. In two years, I went up 4 grades and won several awards for hard work, imagination and winning a 'Job interview challenge'. From a 4-class year group numbering over 200 pupils, I secured the role through my interview skills. My GCSE Photography portfolio is now used at South Devon as an example of what to aim for.

Given the opportunity to pursue the subjects I am passionate about such as photography, video, media and film I get totally committed and will work to create something unique, even if I must learn and explore new skills for myself. This is how I work. If I am asked to work creatively, I apply this to lots of different projects and move in the direction my interest takes me. Whatever I go on to do I know I will use these skills and passions. I am so looking forward to the University experienced, not only for the learning, but also to be surrounded by people who share my interests. My determination and emotional intelligence had me overcome the restrictions of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and acute anxiety. I channelled my energy through the gym and am now a confident person, who helps others to fight through their own limitations and thrive. I hope to be a proactive and creative contributor to university life.