Faculty of Health and Life Sciences classes of 2020 and 2021 hold long-awaited graduation ceremonies
We were thrilled to be able to host graduation ceremonies for our 2020 and 2021 graduates after two years of disruption. It meant so much to our students being able to celebrate their achievements during such a difficult time, and have their families and friends around them to celebrate their success.
During November and December, we saw students from the School of Health Sciences, the School of Veterinary Science and the School of Dentistry graduate. The ceremonies were conducted in the new Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, which added an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings.
In each ceremony, a student from the cohort was invited to speak on behalf of their year. Studying during a pandemic has certainly not been easy, but they were full of praise for their fellow students, their University teachers and staff, and thanked them and their families and friends for their unwavering support.
We’ve chosen a few highlights here from their excellent speeches:
Amanda Lim: School of Health Sciences, BSC Hons Occupational Therapy
‘As we all know, working in healthcare is not the most glamorous of jobs. There are times when we’ve had to jump about, or get on the floor to help people do what they need to do … We’ve grown to be undisturbed by some weird and not-so-wonderful smells and sights. But it’s all worth it, knowing we’ve made life changing, positive impacts on someone’s life. It continues to be a privilege to celebrate with those who have gotten better, those who are able to leave the hospital and those who are able to finally live a life they want to live. It is also a honour to be there to hold the hands of those who receive bad news and those who need us most.
What I have learnt as a student and now a professional, is that to be the best is not to be the smartest, but to be kind and have genuine care for the ones we look after.’
Abi Bridge: School of Health Sciences, BSc (Hons) Orthoptics
‘My diagnosis of dyslexia and visual processing delay came in my second year of college. Before this, I made assumptions: I thought that A* students must be really smart or that academia must come easily to them. It was the support that I finally received at University of Liverpool, along with my own perseverance that showed that my assumptions were misguided. As for the staff here … you exercised professional boundaries whilst showing profound warmth, kindness and interpersonal skills; qualities required all day every day in the roles for which you have prepared us. You nurtured dedication and enthusiasm yet you also sought to prevent over-exertion … You are passionate about your own subjects, yet able to encourage us to have multidisciplinary respect and to work together… I, for one, as many of you will remember, always had so many questions - you never yawned or shrugged me off even when we were champing at the bit to go for lunch. And lastly you made it possible for us to do our final exams and graduate in a time when face to face contact was not even legal.’
Owen Fletcher: School of Veterinary Science
‘Vet school can be a rollercoaster. Late nights studying, sometimes too early nights partying, friendships, relationships, exams…. life. This doesn’t all stop now, but neither does the cohesion we have so memorably created. University truly was the best days of my life with fulfilling adventures, learning and lifelong friends …
I would like to end by saying an enormous thank you to all the staff that make Liverpool Vet School the institute that it is. However, I am also tremendously humbled to have been asked to address all the proud families, friends and partners here today. We all came to university to achieve a mutual goal and qualify as a Veterinary Surgeon. However, along the way we have stepped out of our comfort zones, overcome challenges and hopefully we have grown somewhat closer to being “in the real world.”
We can all be very proud today and are each a credit to the support and encouragement our families have invested in us over the years. Moving forward, don’t plan too hard. We would never have imagined being here 5 years ago, so just enjoy getting to where you’ll be in 5 more.’
Harriet Lucas: School of Veterinary Science
‘My first 3 years were spent in Liverpool being a ‘normal’ student. During this time, I made and cemented friendships that I would have for life and for that I am incredibly grateful to the University of Liverpool. I was also part of the Vet netball team which I thoroughly enjoyed. 3 years flew by with lots of fun, laughs and hard work. The next stage of my university career was spent on the Wirral at the University of Liverpool’s Leahurst campus. The campus is a wonderful place to spend two years with top facilities and leading academics in their field …
My final year was spent on rotations at the Small animal teaching hospital, Philip Leverhulme equine hospital and the farm practice. This was one of my favourite years. Finally feeling like a Veterinary surgeon whilst learning from world-renowned experts. One of my favourite parts was getting to know more people in our year due to our rotation groups.
… Although there have been real highs in the past year it has also proven that life can be really tough - especially with the current state of the veterinary profession. The combination of the high demand for the services of veterinary surgeons, the high expectations of clients and the recruitment crisis, means it can be tough at times to be a vet. Although, I do feel the teaching at the University of Liverpool has meant that we are well-equipped clinically to deal with our new career, we need to make sure we are checking in on friends and being there for them when they need us. This can be related to all walks of life - veterinary or not.’
James Wootton: School of Dentistry
'Dental school was a major part of my experience at the University of Liverpool. I have so many memories of dental school, one of the clearest is being given our first patients and being terrified to even talk to them, let alone do a filling on them. My confidence was boosted massively by the support of the staff and my fellow students and most importantly the understanding of the people of Liverpool when they were sat for 3 hours for a check-up! Many of the patients I saw during my time at Liverpool I saw for several years, and like many people here I built up a rapport with them and was very sad to say goodbye when I left Liverpool. I feel I must massively thank the staff at the dental hospital on behalf of everyone here, as without them none of us would be here today, and I am incredibly grateful for the knowledge, time and effort they gave us all.’
Hajra Aziz: School of Dentistry
‘Being a southern girl at heart, I never imagined another city or its people coming close to my beloved London…I couldn’t have been more wrong … The people of Liverpool are the heart of this city and the students are the heartbeat. They are a testament to the university’s ethos and values standing true. We are an inclusive community, supporting one another’s ambitions and enabling us to succeed in the face of all challenges.
On behalf of every graduate, I’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude to every tutor, professor, lab technician, student accommodation officers, the librarians at Sydney Jones, the list is endless. Thank you also to all the proud parents, siblings, spouses and loved ones for joining us today, to celebrate one of the most monumental achievements one can attain. You have been with us every step of the way, tirelessly facilitating our learning, lifting our spirits when we lost hope, sending us prayers and luck for exams we thought we would fail. We would not be here without you all.’