Hey, I am a 21 year old Psychology student at Liverpool John Moores University. I found myself here after years of friends and family telling me, "Be a psychologist!" "You're so great at understanding people- make it your career!" "You're made to help others, El" and I ignored them for years, laughing it off. But when I finally started studying Animal Behaviour at university and realised that I preferred the 'Behaviour' part over the 'Animal' part, I started to think... maybe they were right. So I transferred over to the Applied Psychology course, and here I am. I couldn't be happier or more hopeful for the future. I want to complete a Clinical Psychology Doctorate. And i want to help people professionally. What do I need for this? Hands on experience. Practical, applied knowledge that sets me apart from the average person. I need to showcase my skills and knowledge that I have learned through my studies, and I need to learn even more! A little bit of background about me... I was born in Leyland, a small town. There wasn't really much there in the way of opportunity, so from a young age, I decided that I wanted to venture out and travel the world, helping lives. As a 5 year old, this was tigers, monkeys, elephants. Anything that was endangered, anything I could better the life of that couldn't help better its life itself. Of course, in school it isn't quite as easy to help a big cat in the wild. So I began volunteering as a 'buddy' for the younger school children, a charity ambassador, and offered my time as an online counselor, too. Living in Liverpool, I have helped at a charity with active substance users, and have also been a health care assistant. All of these things leading me to where I am now, knowing that my ultimate goal is to work as a Clinical Psychologist, helping those who suffer from ill mental health. This doesn't come without its challenges, but I am determined to succeed!