A new Lancaster graduate is urging others to consider university after successfully completing her degree, and gaining a "sense of justice for the girl who felt stupid".
Varenka Briggs, who was diagnosed with autism during high school, faced adversity during her childhood but is now leaving Lancaster with a degree in Law.
After difficult school years and spending time in care as a teenager, Varenka has defied expectations and now plans to pursue a career in commercial law.
"To this day, I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to study at Lancaster, and the time and happiness that I have felt here has made up for all the grief and embarrassment that I felt. I am extremely grateful to have met all the amazing people that make Lancaster University the amazing place that it is", Varenka said.
"I came to Lancaster University to prove that people like me can achieve anything, that we can do great things and that we are so much more than just being disabled."
Varenka is a proud member of Cartmel College and thanked Accommodation Manager, Andrea Townsend, and Welfare Manager, Jo Kendall, for their kindness and care over the past three years.
Throughout her time at Lancaster, Varenka has been a Lancaster Success Programme Student Advocate, working to inspire others and help them to achieve their goals which she said has been a "privilege".
She said: "I have been able to confidently participate within workshops and seminars which has made up for all the years I felt that I could not speak or raise a question in my classes. It was in this environment that I was able to flourish and gain a sense of justice for the girl who felt stupid. The teachers have been encouraging, especially my Academic Advisor, Dr Thomas Webb. This experience made up for the time and opportunities which I missed growing up."
She added: "I have really appreciated all the support that I have received from the Lancaster Success Programme and my Success Coach, Martin Walker. I have really enjoyed the trips that I have been able to take part in with Hannah Bell, and the GROW Your Future team.
She added: "It feels great to have achieved so much and there is so much more that I hope to achieve. My advice to people would be to keep defying expectations and to always strive for positive change. Keep believing in yourself, even when no one else does. I would encourage people to define themselves before allowing others to define them, and to keep pursuing new opportunities and experiences. The journey may feel lonely sometimes, and it may become a little scary, but keep telling yourself that you deserve better than what you went through and be the person that initiates the change."
Hannah Bell, Careers Widening Participation Manager, said: "Varenka's story demonstrates how hard work and determination can make studying at Lancaster truly transformative, and that's something we are all working towards. By seizing the many support opportunities Lancaster University offers, Varenka has truly made the most of her journey."
