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Student Experience

As a student at Callywith College you will be a key part of a diverse and thriving student community. You will meet like-minded students, all keen to experience the very best.



When you first arrive, no matter your interests, talent or ambitions, you will become part of a College community that is focussed on the future. You will make friends quickly and be supported by highly motivated and inspirational tutors. We believe each student is unique and we welcome the individuality you will bring to the groups of new and old friends you will make, your classmates and the College as a whole.

Learning and leisure are blended successfully at the College; there are cafés and social spaces across the campus to enable you to enjoy your time outside of taught classes. You will love experiencing your own transformation, as time at College prepares you for the next stage of your life. We know that universities and employers look for talented, well-rounded individuals who know how to excel in an adult environment.

College life is exciting, challenging and rewarding, and the College is here to support you every step of the way. It is important to us that you get the most out of your time at Callywith College and the support you’ll receive will ensure you have a positive learning experience and enjoy student life to the full.

Treating everyone as equal

We value and respect the diversity of our student body and work relentlessly in supporting everyone to achieve their full potential. Students from all walks of life can experience vulnerability at some point in their lives.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion ensures that vulnerable people are not marginalised or labelled and have a right to our wide-range of support services to help them continue and achieve. We regularly take and respond to student and parent/carer feedback as part of a continuous improvement cycle, for example, through individual learning plan days, feedback from parent/carer evenings, surveys and course reviews.

Hear from our students and alumni

For more of an insight into what learning and life is like at Callywith College, hear from more of our students by visiting our student experience hub and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

You can also find success stories of some of our former students below and on our meet our alumni page. 

From the course

Teneisha Becca Kyle Mollen Eden Dolly Ella Olli

Teneisha

Progression: Medicine - Aston University 

Courses studied: A Level Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and AS Physics

Extra activities: Medics' Academy, Student Ambassador

Previous school: Fowey River Academy


How did Callywith support you in your application and transition to university?

My time at Callywith really helped to make my decision about where to study. It gave me the advice and resources to be able to pick the universities that were best suited to me. The Medics' Academy at Callywith really helped my application and the support that I received from my Biology Lecturer, who runs the Medics’ Academy and the students from Plymouth and Exeter Medical School, were vital in me gaining my place at university. The academy also gave me helpful experience when it came to med school interviews.

Callywith really helped prepare me for the jump from school to university, I think that it encouraged me to become an independent learner. I was able find the ways in which I best learn, setting me up for the best possible start at uni.  As well as optimising my personal statement. I have always felt able to reach out to the staff at Callywith even after leaving with any questions I might have had.

How did you find your course / experience at university?

I really enjoyed my experience at university, it definitely felt like a big change to begin with and it took some time to adjust to, but I think going to a college rather than a sixth-form helped me to transition faster.

In my second year I got to experience almost a full year of on campus teaching before moving online due to the pandemic. The shift to online teaching was quite difficult but I realised that it's important to still take the time to talk to people when it can be easy to get bogged down in the workload. My friends and I started video calling each other whilst we work so that we had some company and could break it up a bit. It also has caused me to make much more use of the different resources available to me.

For me, I love to study sciences as it gives me understanding of things that are constantly occurring around us. My studies at college directly translate into my higher education, the concepts covered at college are constantly reviewed and built on through my degree, getting the opportunity to see how science is applied in everyday life, has only deepened my appreciation for the subject.

Whilst at university, I got the opportunity to learn across multiple environments and really valued the chances to experience many specialties across outpatient, inpatient and surgical placements. Some of my highlights included working in the emergency department, running peer learning schemes to help with exams and a placement in a specialist orthopaedic hospital.

Recently I had the opportunity to undertake a 6-week elective in Sri Lanka. This allowed me the to experience a different health care system and appreciate the nuances of delivery of care in the NHS. I worked in government hospitals with the medical staff. I was able to witness first hand how resources and accessibility can affect the health of the population.
 

What are your plans for the future?

After graduation, I’m really looking forward to starting working and getting to put my knowledge to practise. As I’m getting closer to starting Foundation Year 1 as a Junior Doctor, the nerves and excitement are growing and I’m looking forward to getting to know the hospital teams.

Currently, I am most interested in emergency medicine and hope to pursue this in the future. I would also like to undertake roles in medical education as well as providing humanitarian aid once I have progressed in my career.


Do you have any tips for students considering university?

I would recommend first looking at which universities entry requirements best suit you. After this, I found it really helpful to pick a few qualities that I really looked for in a university and this helped to pick the place that suited me best. If you can find a comparison tool for your course, this is really helpful. I used the medic portal Medical School Comparison Tool and having a brief direct comparison helped me to pick my final 4 unis. I would also say it's worth considering how far you want to travel and how often you want to be able to come home as I found this really affects people's enjoyment of uni.

Becca

Progression: Psychology and Education - Cambridge University

Courses studied: A Level Psychology, Sociology and Biology

Extra activities: Student Ambassador, Academic Academy

Previous school: Bodmin College

How did Callywith support you in your application to university?

My tutor at Callywith played a huge part in encouraging and supporting me throughout the university application process. She regularly met with me, reassured me and helped me to create an application and personal statement I was really pleased with. The College also offered me the opportunity to have a mock Oxbridge interview which was hugely helpful in giving me a good idea about what the real interviews would be like and what to expect when I got there.

What did you enjoy in particular about studying A Level Psychology?

I really enjoyed the diversity of topics and learning about behaviour from a range of perspectives. I also really enjoyed the balance of being able to practice my essay writing skills, whilst also learning about more scientific topics such as biopsychology.

How are you finding your course / experience at university?

University has been a real whirlwind experience. The terms at Cambridge are incredibly short and very intense, but overall I have loved studying my course and have (nearly!) come out the other side feeling confident in my subject. I have had some incredible opportunities, such as an internship in Westminster, and have met some amazing people (including Stephen Fry!). I am currently completing two dissertations and revising for my final exams, in preparation for graduation in July.

How have your A Level studies helped you in your degree?

It's been so encouraging to find that all of my A Level subjects have been really useful in studying both education and psychology at university level. The content in all three of the A Levels I studied at Callywith have provided me with a solid foundation to build on and have undoubtably come in handy whether it be in a lecture or a last-minute essay!

Why did you chose to study your uni course?

At the age of 15 I became really interested in the education system and after completing an EPQ exploring alternative schools, I knew I wanted to go on to study education at degree level. I also, though, really enjoyed studying Psychology at Callywith so when I found a course at Cambridge that combined the two subjects together, I knew it would be a course that would suit my interests well.

What are you hoping to do in the future?

Back in November, I was fortunate enough to secure a permanent contract to train and teach at Brighton College, UK, which is really exciting. However, my longer term plan is to teach in a variety of schools, both local and international, and use these experiences to explore a career in research, with a view to informing future government policy.

Kyle

Progression: French, University of London Institute in Paris / Master's in Automative Journalism, Coventry University

Courses studied: A Level French, English Literature and Media Studies

Previous School: Saltash School
 

How are you finding your course/experience at university?

I really had the best time of my life being at uni. Obviously, the course is super important and I feel like I learnt so much in my field, but it’s the whole uni experience which I think can teach you an equal amount. I feel so lucky to have been able to call Paris my home for three years, having met some amazing people and to have had so many unforgettable experiences.

How did your time at Callywith influence and support your choice of/transition to university?

Having spoken to my friends at university I feel as though I’ve had the upper hand by studying at Callywith. One of the things I liked the most about Callywith was how grown up the students are treated. Having experienced university as well, I feel as though there was a very small jump between Callywith and my university now.

Callywith is an amazing place to find support for university. In terms of applications and interviews, the staff couldn’t have been more helpful in preparing us and guiding us through the process!

What do you enjoy in particular about studying French?

I loved my courses at Callywith, I studied French, English Literature and Media Studies. I loved all three of them and had amazing lecturers! Studying French at Callywith cemented the fact I was going to study French at university, the topics we learnt about made the subject appeal to me so much! 

How have your A Level studies helped you in your degree?

I’ve used elements of all three of the subjects I studied at Callywith at university, even having studied Media and English Literature has really helped me with what I’m studying now.

What are you hoping to do in the future?

I’m currently studying a masters degree at Coventry University in Automotive Journalism which is a pretty niche degree being the only one of its kind in the world. I am hoping to go on to get a job in something like PR or magazine editing focusing on the automotive industry.

Mollen

How did Callwith support you in your application and transition to university?

Callywith immensely helped me from the moment I stepped foot for my first day as a college student. The college helped me throughout my time there, I met amazing tutors and teachers who were always there for me during my struggles. I’d like to thank everyone at Callywith from the bottom of heart, I really appreciate everything they did for me. Jamie in Student Services was so good at helping me settle in and if ever I needed anything he was always there. Lucy Maggs (the Assistant Principal at the time), has also been absolutely vital in helping me chase after my dreams. I am still in regular contact with them and if ever there’s something I need, they are always there. I can’t recommend Callywith enough. It’s the best place to be in preparation to transition for university, trust me.

How was your experience at university?

My experience at uni was the best time of my life I can’t lie. I remember the first day feeling a bit overwhelmed by the busyness of the city and starting a 4-year degree with thousands of new faces every day was daunting to say the least but at the same time an exciting situation to be in.

“Fast forward 4 years later, I’ve gained lots and lots of friends for life, and managed to meet some of the most amazing people you could ever think of. I’ve really enjoyed my time at MMU. Now I’ve gained a different set of skills and knowledge that I am definitely putting into use against the challenges of this world.

What are you hoping to do in the future?

Currently, I’m embarking on a HR management job role here in Manchester, in the long run my plan is to go back and do a PHD in Football business management. That’s the dream job right there.
 

Eden

Progression: Royal Navy Nurse Student - Birmingham City University

Course studied: Level 3 Health & Social Care Diploma

Extra Activites: National Citizen Service (NCS) and work experience shadowing healthcare professionals

Previous School: Bodmin College

How are you finding university and being a Royal Navy nurse student?

It feels great to finally be a naval nurse student, and feels like it was a long time coming with all the complications due to Covid-19.

Raleigh; the training for the Royal Navy which puts recruits through 10 weeks of intense fitness and mental challenges to ensure they are ready for the fleet and the military in general, was the hardest but most amazing thing I’ve done!

The training has been massively different to normal due to covid, but I learnt a lot about myself and managed to cope in harsh conditions and with discipline that I usually would have struggled with. It’s made me change so much as a person and I’ve loved every minute of it!

I applied directly through the Royal Navy and wasn’t given an option of choices of university as they use Birmingham University for all three forces, but when I went to view the university on an open day I loved it, so it definitely would have been a choice if I’d had it!

I had to complete a basic interview to join the navy in general and some psychometric tests, as well as a medical and fitness test (1.5 miles in under 14 minutes, which I did in 12.40). I was then sent away to HMS Sultan in Gosport near Portsmouth for a two day nursing interview board where I had to give a ten minute PowerPoint presentation on a nursing related topic. I had to do a table top maths exercise and a nursing interview and so it’s very competitive with a hard and long process as they only take on around 12 people a year for their nursing, so it’s really hard to get a place!

How did your time at Callywith influence and support your choice of/transition to university?

I want to say thank you to my tutor at Callywith, Sara, for all of her help in getting me here. She helped me a lot with the things I struggled with and getting the grade I needed and I am very grateful! I am also very grateful to all of the Health & Social Care team for all of their teaching help over the two years I spent at Callywith, it’s helped me so much in my career so far and I’d recommend the course to anyone!

How has your Health & Social Care Diploma helped you in your course?

My time at Callywith helped me so much with preparing for my future career as the course in particular covers a lot of things such as policies, procedures and roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals that I needed for working in health care, as well as giving me the opportunity to complete 100 hours of work experience shadowing healthcare professionals such as nurses, which helped me know that this is exactly what I wanted to do! I felt a lot of encouragement and support at Callywith to go for every opportunity I could.

Dolly

Progression: Architecture - Cardiff University

Courses studied: A Level Fine Art, History and Maths

Extra Activities: Holocaust Trust Ambassador and Young Curator’s Programme

How are you finding your course/experience at university?

I’m thoroughly enjoying my first year at University, although the pandemic has prevented many of my practical workshops, I’ve learnt a plethora of new skills and techniques.

How did your time at Callywith influence and support your choice of/ transition to university?

Callywith was extremely helpful with my next steps after college, with my Foundation application and also my University one even after I had left.

The extra-curricular opportunities Callywith offered helped immensely in my university application, I became a Holocaust Trust Ambassador providing me with the opportunity of visiting Auschwitz 1 and Birkenau in Krakow and I also was a part of the Young Curator’s Programme during my time at Callywith.

My love for art and my confidence in the subject grew so much whilst a student at Callywith with the help of my lecturer, applying the techniques learnt in first year to my own self-led projects in second year. These skills have helped greatly at University allowing me to have a more creative approach to my science-based course.

What are you hoping to do in the future?

After finishing my Masters at Cardiff University, I am hoping to work in a number of practices abroad and to complete the RIBA Part 3 which will allow me to be fully registered as an architect.

Ella

Progression: BSc Economics - Cardiff University

Courses studied: A Level Economics, Geography and Environmental Science

Previous school: Sir James Smith Community School

How did Callywith support you in your application to university?

I had lots of support from my tutor Tim with my personal statement and the whole application process. I think the process of applying and going for interviews can be quite daunting, but it was nice to feel so supported by everyone at Callywith.

I found Callywith to be a great stepping stone into university because the campus feel of Callywith almost feels like a very small uni. Time management is definitely a key part of doing well at uni and this is something I learned at Callywith with using “free periods” wisely.

Why did you choose to study Economics?

I chose to study economics at uni for a number of reasons but primarily due to really enjoying studying it at A Level - especially in second year. My economics lecturer at Callywith, Ryan, delivered really interesting lectures which is what initially encouraged me to look into studying an economics degree. I also broadly knew the type of industry I wanted to pursue a career in, so economics felt like a fitting choice that wouldn't restrict my options too much if I changed my mind later on. 

How have your A Level studies helped you in your degree?

A Level Economics has really helped to give me solid foundations for studying my degree. I felt that I was able to start my degree with confidence knowing that I had given myself the best chances by studying it at A Level. Studying A Level Geography has also been useful for my degree. The human geography modules have given me great background knowledge when starting to study international development and emerging market economies.

Another really useful topic was sustainability which is something I also studied in Environmental Science. Sustainability is extremely important when looking at policy in economics and I felt that having a background of geographic knowledge helped me to grasp a better understanding of the bigger picture.

How are you finding your course / experience at university?

My first 3 years at Cardiff uni have been awesome! The pandemic definitely made my experience more challenging, but I’m looking forward to hopefully having a more ‘normal’ final year when I return in autumn.

I’m currently working as a Risk Analyst for Lloyds Banking Group on a Professional Placement Year in Edinburgh. Now eight months in, and I’m really loving it! I’m based in the Investment and Funds Team within the Insurance and Wealth division. This is my first corporate role and, although daunting to begin with, it has been an awesome environment to work in. It’s been fantastic exposure to the banking industry, and amazing to learn from specialists within their fields. LBG have been really keen to support and invest in my professional development which has enabled me to take lots of different opportunities throughout my placement - a recent highlight being presenting to senior directors and stakeholders at a Town Hall Event. 

What are you hoping to do in the future?

I'm really excited to have been offered an extension with LBG on my placement over this summer. I have my flights booked to go travelling for a couple of months afterwards and then I'll be back to uni for my final year. Having had a really positive experience within the banking industry, I am looking to secure a grad scheme, and ultimately a permanent role within the finance/ investments world. 

Olli

Progression: Master's in Civil Engineering - Swansea University

Courses studied: A Level Maths, Physics and Geography

Extra Activities: Rugby Academy

Previous School: Sir James Smith's

 

How are you feeling to have graduated?

I feel relieved to have graduated but also really pleased and excited to get started with my career after five years of hard work. It's a mix of satisfaction and anticipation for what lies ahead.

I was fortunate enough to win two awards on the day. The first was the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) student award, an incredibly proud moment and one I will never forget. The second was the Terry Noonan Prize for the Best MEng Civil Engineering Group Design Project, which I received jointly with my amazing friends for our work on the Park View Wellbeing Hub. I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.

How are you finding your course/experience at university?

My time at university was great, and Swansea was an incredible city. Being right by the sea made it feel like I was still in Cornwall. The master's program was very challenging but also enjoyable, especially since I got to work on a real-life project alongside a company for my dissertation. My 13 month industry placement with McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd was incredible and invaluable. I would highly recommend that anyone does a placement if they have the opportunity. It’s the most valuable experience you can gain during your degree and certainly makes you more motivated to start work.

How did your time at Callywith influence and support your choice of/ transition to university?

Callywith prepared me exceptionally well for university. The way the college runs and how lectures are taught sets you up perfectly for the transition to university life. You are treated like an adult, and it’s up to you to put in the extra effort during study periods, mirroring the university experience. They were extremely supportive during the application process and provided lots of guidance and support, which was crucial in helping me get to where I am today.

Why did you choose to study Civil Engineering at university?

I chose to do Civil Engineering at uni, as I was fascinated by how structures were able to stand so tall and withstand all sorts of forces acting on them without collapsing. Knowing how to design structural elements which one day will be used in the construction of a skyscraper or bridge is exciting!

How have your A Level studies helped you in your degree?

I enjoyed A Level Maths at Callywith, as there was always something new to focus on. The lessons were engaging and constantly had a focus on practise questions, the weekly assignments, although tough, really helped with understanding the recently taught material and helped a lot when it came down to exam revision. The assignments also helped a lot with the uni transition, having just a week to complete and hand in the assignment made you manage and balance your time well, which is key whilst at uni.

My A Levels gave me a broad understanding of how forces work and how simple maths can be adapted and used to create super structures. The broad range of material taught, gave me an edge over my course mates as I already had a basic understanding of what we were learning about, many of them found themselves having to do additional work just to get a grasp of what we were being taught.

What are you hoping to do in the future?

Having now graduated, I am starting my career as a Civil Engineer for Mott MacDonald in Bristol, working in the Bridges and Structures division. I am super eager to get started, kick-start my career, and eventually become a chartered engineer, and maybe one day set up my own firm.