I'm an ex-swimmer and I started competing at eight or nine years old and continued all the way up until I was about 18. I teach swimming and I'm a lifeguard, so I'm very interested in the water sports side.

I was already a student at the College doing my BTEC, and I liked the idea of having smaller classes as well as being able to engage with my tutor. Rather than go to a big university where you can't get hold of the tutor, I liked the idea of having a small class, as I found it would be easier to learn.

I was convinced I wanted to teach PE, so the course catered to that but also had the sports coaching side. With my experience as a swimming coach and with what I’ve been learning on my course, it has that dual aspect that I can use.

After I finish my degree, I'm going to be a primary school teacher.

The smaller class sizes. I think you get a lot more help, but there's also a lot of support groups. For example, the Academic Coaching staff are there whenever you need them. There's lots of help whenever you need it.

There are lots of sports facilities - we've got the sports hall and multiple gyms. We often use the Newcastle Eagles facilities too, which are great.

Even the food facilities on campus are great! It's easy to go and grab something to eat in the HE Hub and then go downstairs and crack on.

Probably all the different subjects you get to learn. You dive deeper into subjects you wouldn't associate with teaching and coaching - a lot of psychological stuff as well as physical. It’s a nice variety, and also all the opportunities we are given. We get to do lots of coaching badges, learn different sports and meet different coaches as well.

I think I just like to help others. When I’m teaching, you've got six children who listen to every word. I want to go into teaching because those little people’s minds are amazing.

At the Eagles, we've met with Mark, the head coach, and watched him coach. It was good to see a professional coach in action.

Really helpful and they’re excited to help you as well. They’re always there for whatever you need.

Within my job as a lifeguard, I had a particularly traumatic experience. Earlier this year, I helped a little girl who had a cardiac arrest when she was in one of my swimming classes.

My tutor, Keshia, gave me the time I needed to work through all the aftermath of that and gave me the avenues for emotional support that the University Centre offered. I was grateful for their understanding.

We had help from an Academic Coach, Sam, to support our academic work. Sam would look at the way we were wording sentences and structuring our written work. It was helpful to have a fresh pair of eyes on your work who wasn't on the course.

We went to Malta as part of our course and it was great to see how a different country delivered a similar course there. Seeing all their facilities was great, and we went kayaking and paddleboarding too!

Very lively. You've got lots of universities in the same place, so you get a big mix of students. Even here at the University Centre, we've got students who've been to different universities and then come here. It’s very lively and very friendly. The world is nice in Newcastle.

There is lots of experience on the course and we’ve had to go out and find our own work experience. We’ve also taken part in interviews, so now I have lots of practice. We did lots of lesson planning too, so we were prepared for them.

I'm going to do my PGCE and become a primary school teacher.

Totally worth it!

• Get to know your tutor - the better you know your tutor, the more you learn.
• Make friends. It's a big campus.
• Explore - I was a student rep and I really enjoyed it.
• Make the most of the facilities.
• And turn up!