Marharyta Andreieva is a third-year student at the University of Westminster. In her interview with DEN, she shares her experiences of making Westminster feel like home, developing effective study routines, and how projects and trips organised by DEN – especially the field visit to Hanoi – have enhanced her confidence in public speaking and writing. She emphasises the importance of feedback, time management, and community in her journey from being a participant to becoming a coordinator. Additionally, she provides practical advice for new students on how to transform everyday opportunities into avenues for personal development.
1. What is your name, and year of study?
Marharyta Andreieva, third year of studies.
2. What factors helped you feel at home during your initial months at the University of Westminster?
My academics, people from my course and DEN have helped me feel at home at the university. My teachers were helping me throughout my first year, which has allowed me to get good grades and understand what is expected from me in terms of my work. People from my course and DEN were very friendly and welcoming, making me feel respected and understood. I am thankful to Westminster for giving me opportunities to grow as a person and meet such wonderful people.
3. How have you managed your academic program and overall university life so far?
It took some time for me to adapt to the new ways of completing my work, but time management and prioritising tasks have made my life easier. I have identified what works best for me and how I can complete my work on time, making my second year much easier compared to the first year.
4. How would you describe your approach to managing reading, assignments, academic work, and meeting deadlines?
At the start of the semester, I create a separate document where I write all of my coursework for different subjects, and I highlight the deadlines, so I know when it need to be done. Using Google Calendar has made my life so much easier, as I can see all the upcoming tasks and events, which has taught me how to effectively use my time.
5. What academic or personal support have you received from the University and DEN?
I have received a lot of writing and editing support. Because we have to write blogs and articles for the annual book, my writing has become so much better in the second year. Also, taking advice from my peers has developed my writing style, which has helped me a lot with essays and literature reviews.
6. Which skill did you develop the most last year (e.g., facilitation, research, public speaking), and where did you practice it?
I have developed my public speaking during the presentations and after the Annual DEN conference. I have learnt how to project my voice and what language to use while presenting, so now I have built a lot of confidence, making public speaking my strongest skill.
7. Did the feedback you received from your academics or friends last year influence your development? If so, how?
Feedback from my academics and peers has helped me a lot in the past two years. I have improved my writing as now I know how to structure my sentences and what vocabulary to use. Diverse feedback has allowed me to adapt to different writing styles that I can apply to both my academic and personal work.
8. What were the main obstacles you faced during the last academic year, and how did you overcome them?
The main obstacles were meeting deadlines in January as I had to submit two coursework on the same day. But I have managed it well, as I have identified how much time it will take me to write each of them. I have completed the one that took me less time to write first, leaving me with more time to complete the other one. So I would say, prioritising a more difficult task and saving more time to complete it will be the best advice I would give to my future self and to first years.
9. Did a specific event, such as a workshop, conference, or field trip, become a defining moment that changed your direction?
The field trip with DEN to Hanoi has changed my perspectives on this part of Asia and made me more respectful and understanding of different communities. I would say that completely changing your environment will show you how taking all the opportunities you have makes you a different person. Learning about new cultures and meeting new people was definitely the highlight of my second year, as I gained emotions and experiences I will always remember.
10. When did you first discover DEN, and what essential advice do you have for new students entering this year?
I discovered DEN in my first year when a friend of mine asked me to come with her to the first meeting. I would definitely say that DEN has developed me so much as a person, as I have gained new skills and have been able to build a lot of confidence. My advice would be to take DEN as your opportunity for personal growth, which will help you become a better version of yourself.
11. How has DEN connected you with the broader community, and what have those connections been like?
DEN has allowed me to meet people from different years and also get to know better people from my own course. I have made a lot of friends and now I cannot imagine my life without them. That allowed me to become a part of a wonderful community that goes beyond the university and has become a part of my everyday life.
12. Over the years, has your role at DEN evolved from participant to coordinator or mentor?
My role has evolved to coordinator as I have completed an internship with DEN in my second year. I was able to gain new skills and knowledge, so now I am able to transfer these skills to other people who will be able to learn from my experience.
13. Would you like to add anything else?
I wanted to mention how I am so grateful to the DEN community for making my life at the university more enjoyable. Meeting new people and learning from them has developed me so much as a person, so now I am able to apply all the knowledge I gained to my personal life. I will always remember DEN and how positively it has changed my life.