Alumna, Kirsy Durkan

We had the chance to speak with Sussex alumna, Kirsty Durkan about her experience with the Spirit of Sussex Award and how students can support their mental wellbeing whilst at university.

Kirsty reflected on her journey to postgraduate study as a mature student, her passion for helping young people with their mental health, and how the award has supported her pursuit of life-long learning.

Please tell us about your academic and career background.

I started working with children and young people in schools and fell in love with it! I was a mature student at Sussex and started my studies later in life. It was the combination of my personal life where I supported mental health initiatives, along with my passion for working with young people that influenced me to undertake a psychology degree, and then a Masters.

You studied MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology & Mental Health. What motivated you to study this degree and why Sussex?

I explored lots of psychology courses, but I was set on clinical or educational, and this course was the most relevant for me. The course has given me a much greater understanding of the practice. I had also been the parent on the other side of clinical psychologists and so I was interested to explore what they did and whether it was something I would like to do. I also hoped the course would help me to support my own family too. My Masters has helped me feel far more equipped to have conversations and understand what the therapeutic relationship is about.

I was motivated to study at Sussex because it’s local to me and as a part-time mature student with a family it suited me. It just made sense. It was the right course, in the right place at the right time.

How did you first hear about the Spirit of Sussex and why did you decide to participate?

I was made aware of the award from an email, and it instantly sparked my interest! I love to learn and it seemed like a beneficial way to structure my additional learning outside of the classroom. I was quite slow at logging points in the beginning, but then I realised that so many of the things I was doing in my day-to-day life were also relevant to the award. By participating in the award, I had a reason to celebrate these.

How did you balance your time taking part in the award, alongside your home and university life?

For me, it’s all about priorities, and I have always prioritised my family and myself. I always make sure I am aware of what helps me to stay well – for example, I love singing, exercising and dog walking, all of which I always made time for during my studies. I also saw studying as a break. I ultimately chose to undertake a Masters degree and it was something I didn’t do when I was younger, so it felt like I was doing something for myself. I enjoyed studying and I loved my course, so it did feel like a break from daily life!

What advice would you give to students about balancing their time?

The best advice I would give to students who are struggling to balance their time or are feeling overwhelmed is to ask for help. So many people who are struggling think they are the only ones and they truly aren’t. It can be so beneficial to talk to people, whether that is family, friends, peers or someone completely new who can offer advice and support.

You logged points for completing mental health training. Do you believe this co-curricular activity supported your academic and career prospects?

Yes, absolutely! From an academic perspective, the work I did as part of the training and development category gave me a real insight into how people are experiencing mental health. It also really helped to ‘tie up loose ends’ and helped me to understand the theories I was learning in class. For my career prospects, I was able to use the knowledge I had gained from this training course in interviews – when I was asked how I would approach different students experiencing mental health challenges, I felt far more prepared and confident in being able to answer that question. For me, it was a bonus that I could earn points for something that advanced my studies and career!

Alongside your final year of study, you also worked full-time. Could you tell us more about that and how you applied it to the Spirit of Sussex Award?

I worked as a Pastoral Leader in a school, which I applied for because of my passion for working with young people. The role was very demanding, you had to think on your feet, and time management was crucial. Skills that I gained included: building relationships, knowing when to listen, treating people with respect, and providing the right support for people facing challenges.

I logged points for completing a variety of online courses around the subject of mental health. Completing the award, I feel has given me the edge on how to deal with challenges in behaviour and wellbeing that I face every day. In this role, you need to be flexible as not the same approach works for everyone, and everyone faces different challenges.  Through my participation in the award, I have been able to gain extra knowledge outside of my degree, that is crucial to be successful in my role.

Lastly, why would you encourage students to take part in the Spirit of Sussex Award?

I would encourage students to take part in the award scheme. The award is a way of celebrating and recognising the small things you do alongside your degree that are so important. The Spirit of Sussex Award highlights all the positive aspects of a person and has given me the motivation to continue to learn.

Find out more about the Spirit of Sussex Award on the Student Hub.