Student scoops national award
AFTER receiving a nomination from Edge Hill’s DipHE Paramedic Practice programme, Laura Kelly has been named the College of Paramedics Student of the Year 2016.
The College of Paramedics is the recognised professional body for paramedics and the ambulance profession in the UK, and Laura has been named Student of the Year in recognition of her achievements and determination in her academic studies, as well as her genuine commitment to family, fellow students and the community.
Laura began studying on Edge Hill’s Dip HE Paramedic Practice course in 2013 and immediately highlighted to her tutors that she had struggled in the past with her academic work due to her dyslexia.
Despite this, Laura put 100% effort into her work and successfully completed the first semester scoring good grades in each of the assessments.
As the main carer for a relative, Laura dedicates a vast proportion of her time to helping support her family at home, and struggled with balancing her home commitments and study for her examinations.
She was determined to persevere with her studies however, and successfully passed the examinations and assessments.
During this period and throughout the course, Laura also helped her peers who were struggling with their own work.
She was always the first to offer help and arrange extra study time and revision sessions away from university.
She helped many of the North West Ambulance Service seconded students when they joined in the second year which assisted in building confidence in their own abilities.
Laura also attended external Continual Professional Development days and became a British Heart Foundation Heart start instructor, teaching lifesaving skills in the community.
As well as receiving a certificate at an official presentation, Laura’s name will be added to the Roll of Honour on the College of Paramedics records and website, and included in their Annual Report.
Laura is now completing a BSc (Hons) Clinical and Professional Paramedic Practice.