Hashem’s story
Hashem began attending Academic Support at IntoUniversity Oxford South East when he was 13. Now 19 and studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Bath, he reflects on how IntoUniversity helped shape his journey.
This interview highlights the journey of just one of the nearly 250,000 students who have been supported by IntoUniversity since 2002, from early academic support to university and beyond.
“I remember having a friend at the time when I went to a school that IntoUniversity worked closely with and that he was going to IntoUniversity,” Hashem recalls. “I found it really did help throughout Year 8. The staff team really helped with the other stuff outside academics, like public speaking and that’s something that I think I really improved.”
Mentoring played a key role in helping Hashem think about the future. “I had one mentor when I was in Year 10. He was called Chris, who went to [the University of] Oxford. […] He was just really going through how [Further Maths] is not as bad as people say it is. In the end, I didn’t pick it. But that was just helpful to sort of gauge what sixth form life would be like.”
“I also did Corporate Mentoring during Year 12 and I think that really helped to narrow down the choices of picking unis. […] I think I wanted to apply to [the University of] Oxford at the time, but then my mentor really helped me. […] Bath was one that stuck out. It was a top university for my course and also it’s not too far from Oxford.”
Hashem credits IntoUniversity with helping him look beyond sport to the academic opportunities available. “At the time I just came for the sake of coming. I didn’t really think about university life; I just wanted to focus on football. But then, [you are] learning about subjects to choose that would help you get into courses that you want to do.”
“It helped with knowing what to pick for A-levels such as Maths and Physics for Engineering and personal development to just be confident in asking questions.”
Now entering his third year of university, Hashem is looking ahead. “I have a placement year in my fourth year, so I hope to successfully get one and to just learn a lot from that, to be able to gain an insight into what the working world is like.”
Volunteering at the Oxford South East centre has been a meaningful way to give back. “I found that it was really fun just working with young people who are in the place I used to be. […] To just be able to pass on that wisdom was really rewarding.”
He’s also mentoring a younger student in Physics and Chemistry. “Right now we’ve been working on a Snakes and Ladders board game to help him revise. […] He’s so business-minded. He’s been trying to see how this could be marketed.”
Reflecting on his experience, Hashem says, “I feel really privileged to be a part of the people that were helped and to also continue helping IntoUniversity.”