Question: did you enjoy learning at howells? and did it help your work for now?

Helen Frost answered on 20 Jun 2017:

Morning 🙂

I loved my time at Howell’s and without doubt, two of my teachers had a big influence on my career in biology. Perhaps more importantly though, it was really lovely that activities which might be considered ‘uncool’ in other schools are encouraged in Howell’s, even by other students, like being in the choir or competing in sports teams. It might seem crazy to think about music or sport, if you’re determined to have a career in something different, like science, but having a range of skills is so important in your career and in life more broadly. And you never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities might come along if you have lots of different skills and hobbies.

Other than that though, I don’t think it has made a big difference, the fact that I went to HSL. Obviously having good grades and a determined work attitude are really important for getting to the next step, and beyond, but I found the Howell’s name and prestige was irrelevant by the time I got to university. Sometimes, even now, I get a little bit of gentle teasing from friends about the fact that I went to a private, girls’ school, but when I explain that I passed an entrance exam and had a bursary, that turns their jokes into admiration. In contrast, my boyfriend went to a huge comprehensive school, where teachers struggled to learn the names of all their students, and most people left education after their GCSEs. He has now gone on to earn a first-class degree in maths at a great university, get a PhD in systems biology at another great university, publish his research in a number of impressive journals and recently be awarded a prestigious fellowship from a European funding body, to continue his important research in cancer biology.

If nothing else, I hope I can convince you that in the long-run it doesn’t really matter what school you went to, what matters is that you fully grasp the opportunities which come your way and that you make the most of your time at school (and in further education if that’s the right move for you). If you want to take piano lessons, then do. If you’re great at sport, build that into your life. If you’re struggling with a particular subject, ask your teacher for some extra help. It’s a simple formula: think about what you’re doing and why it can be helpful, and work hard to achieve your goals.