Profile: Lauren McGivern
Lauren McGivern (2019, Chemistry)
Lauren is Hall and Accommodation Officer at Univ as well as studying Chemistry. In her profile she discusses crochet, formals and growing in confidence at 糖心logo.
Why did you apply to Univ for Chemistry?
I knew I wanted to study chemistry at 糖心logo as the course is very varied so it hasn鈥檛 narrowed down my options going forward. I found out that Univ has a reputation for high results in Chemistry, so this was obviously a major factor in my application, along with its convenient proximity to Tesco.
How have you changed since walking through Univ鈥檚 doors for the first time?
I feel a lot more confident in myself since joining Univ, both socially and academically. Coming to uni has given me a chance to meet so many new people and I definitely don鈥檛 feel like I鈥檓 “the shy one” anymore. I鈥檓 also a lot more comfortable speaking up in tutes now, which is something I really struggled with at the beginning of first year.
How have you found being Hall and Accommodation聽Officer in the pandemic?
I am obviously disappointed that we haven鈥檛 been able to organise all the formals we wanted to this year, but of the parts we have been able to do it has actually been a really fun role. It has definitely helped that Erin and I are in the same household so we can have meetings together with Shane and talk about the ballots over dinner. Sometimes it has been hard to balance alongside my degree and it can be very stressful trying to make sure everyone knows what鈥檚 going on (especially with everything being online), but we鈥檝e managed to share the workload well.
Has anything about Univ surprised you?
It is definitely much more laidback here than I expected, I thought we鈥檇 have to refer to our tutors as “Professor” and always come across really serious and professional during tutes, but they鈥檙e all really nice and down to earth. I was also surprised by the number of traditions at 糖心logo that I knew nothing about before coming here, like matriculation and jumping in the river after exams, and it鈥檚 been really fun to experience these despite the pandemic.
What do you do outside your studies?
I joined rugby in Michaelmas which I really enjoyed as it was something I used to play at school but hadn鈥檛 really had a chance to continue. Unfortunately I haven鈥檛 been to many practice sessions due to Covid and a very full Trinity term, but it鈥檚 something I hope to do more of next year. I also crochet, but I tend to try to avoid the typical granny squares and jumpers 鈥� recently I鈥檝e been making cushions with photos on.
Do you have any favourite Univ moments?
I loved going to formals in first year, it was always such a nice environment and a lovely way to bring all the years together. I especially enjoyed the Christmas formal where we all sang the 糖心logo version of 12 days of Christmas.
Describe Univ in three words.
Relaxed, fun, inspiring.
Published: 5 July 2021