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Maya Cheyne served as the Head Girl at Kenilworth School from 2017 to 2018. After successfully completing her A-levels, she left the school in 2020. Maya has just graduated from Oxford Brookes University achieving a high 2:1 in BA Business and Law.

What is your fondest memory of Kenilworth School& Sixth Form?

• Fondest memory was probably being elected as Head Girl to contribute to decision-making within the school with the Senior Leadership Team. 

• I was on the School Council previously and was involved with various extra curricular activities/events such as Duke of Edinburgh, the World Class School Competition, Orchestra, Nota Bella (choir). 

• Also, making lifelong friendships - a lot of people I was friends with in Year 7 I am still friends with now! 

 

How did Kenilworth School prepare you for university?

• Opportunity to work with tutors and teachers on perfecting personal statements. Also hearing from past students about their UCAS experiences and where different students attended University as opposed to only hearing about Top 10 Universities etc which may not be applicable to every course, such as mine, where only a limited number of Uni’s did my course. 

• Given time in Year 12 to use UCAS and search for Uni’s/courses in the library and in tutor time on Friday mornings - very useful and great to have guidance during this time too as can be so overwhelming! 

 

 

Can you tell us about the Business and Law Degree and why you chose to study it?

• I chose BA (Hons) Business and Law because it ties two huge aspects of everyday life together. Brookes was best for the course at the time I applied, with 93% of all Business course students being employed or in further study 6 months after Graduating.

• I knew I didn’t want to be a Lawyer, Barrister or Solicitor, but was aware about how much of Corporate life is governed by Compliance, Restrictions, and UK and International Regulations, and for me having a deeper understanding about this prompted me to combine the two disciplines into one course. 

• My Law modules ranged from Commercial Law, to Criminal Justice and Tort Law, and my Business modules were of a similar breadth such as studying Perspectives on International Management, Accounting and Finance, and Organisational Behaviour and Management. 

• I had the opportunity to do a Year in Industry, and worked in PR and Government Affairs for a Pharmaceutical company during my third year, which was an incredible opportunity and I was able to learn a lot about external affairs, the art of maintaining a good reputation, and building amazing working relationships and connections with colleagues around me. 

 

 

What is your favourite thing about Oxford?

• Oxford is a beautiful, historic city with good transport links to London. The city is vibrant and through having two Universities in the city, makes it extremely student friendly! 

• There are many famous landmarks dotted around the city which have also been backdrops to TV and Films, such as Inspector Morse, Mamma Mia (Here We Go Again), and Wonka. 

• Oxford Brookes has a Partnership with BMW, who are located in Oxford, which also boosts its attractiveness as a University, and city overall. 

 

Do you have any advice on transitioning from school to university life?

• Transitioning isn’t easy! The first term is by far the hardest as it’s a complete change of location (usually), people, educational expectations, and overall lifestyle, especially if you have moved away from home. 

• Say ‘Yes’ to as many things as you can in first semester, whether that’s joining a Society or Sport, an opportunity to go to someone else’s flat, or even just meeting coursemates. Although you may not physically be able to keep your door open, make yourself accessible to others around you through sitting in social spaces (e.g. flat kitchen) or knock on flatmates doors to say hi. 

• Everyone is in the same boat, even if they are putting on a brave face, so if you are feeling sad or homesick talking to others around you may make you feel a lot better as more than likely, they feel exactly the same. Also - going home every weekend may sound amazing, but it may not be the best decision as you’re not allowing yourself to adjust to the situation, you’re running away from it! 

• Make your Uni room a home away from home with decorations, soft furnishings, snacks, and other things which make you feel relaxed in your space.

 

 

When moving away to university what are your ‘must-take items’?

• Cushions/throws/fairy lights/photos (decorative items) to make your room feel cosy and warm.

• A pack of cards/Uno to break the ice with flatmates.

• Basics get you started e.g. food, toiletries, ID.

• First Aid kit (you never know when you or your flatmates could have an accident!)

• Laundry Basket

 

 

 

What advice would you give on meeting new people at university?

• Be open to meeting anyone and give them time to warm up to you, everyone can be anxious or scared! 

• The first people you meet may not be your best friends, and that is OK!  Just like with school, everyone is different and you will eventually find people who you get on with well. 

• If someone is withdrawn/quiet, make the effort to talk to them or ask if they want to do something as they may be struggling, and you may be their light at the end of the tunnel. 

• Group chats are an amazing tool - use them! Make them!

• Don’t be worried if you don’t feel like you’re making close friendships in the first semester - good things really can take time and the more you’re in your University city/at University, the more people you can meet… Some of my closest University friends are people I have met in my final year! 

 

 

 

Are there any other non-academic skills that would be a good idea to learn before university?

• Basic cooking skills, you don’t have to be Gordon Ramsey, but being able to cook meals for yourself is essential!

• Personal Hygiene (cleaning e.g. hoovering, washing up, showering daily) 

• Budgeting - manage your student loan, consider getting a student bank account, if you’re struggling for money consider getting a part-time job in your university city! 

• Personal Safety - look after others around you, share your location with your friends, take a portable charger out with you. 

 

 

 

What advice would you give our sixth-form students heading to university?

• Don’t just look at Russell Group Universities as some amazing uni’s aren’t on this list, and not all courses are provided at every universities - such as mine!

• Visit as many Universities as possible, and trust your gut! For example, I thought Loughborough would be my first choice but I didn’t like how it was a campus Uni, however someone else may love it. 

• Even if you don’t know anyone going to your University, that is OK.

• Look at transport links from home to your potential Uni (cost, time, multiple trains?). 

• Clearing isn’t as terrifying as you may first think, as you may actually end up at a better University than you think you can get into with the grades you received - this happened to my friend! Be prepared to be flexible and look at similar courses too.

 

 

What are your plans after graduating?

• I am moving to London in August! 

• I have been holding a Graduate offer since end of 2023 to start in September this year - it is for a Graduate Analyst position at a Financial Service in Central London. 

• Here I have the opportunity to work in a company which specialises in Insurance, Investment Banking and Pensions, and I will be working towards 2 professional qualifications in this job too.