Alumni Revisit

What is your fondest memory from your time at Adcote School?

My fondest memories from Adcote School are deeply tied to the people and experiences that shaped my journey. Mrs. Pugh, Mrs. Barnett, and Mrs. Lewis stand out, as they recognised and nurtured my burgeoning interest in biology, chemistry, and psychology, sparking my passion for neuroscience.

I loved all the Borders trips, especially the adventures to Alton Towers, Shrewsbury, and Birmingham. But equally memorable were the cosy evenings spent staying in, enjoying movie nights, or competing in Just Dance contests.

Looking back, it’s the small moments that have left a lasting impact—the peaceful walks around Adcote’s beautiful grounds, the Friday afternoon Christian Union meetings with different sweet treats brought by the reverend, and the shared lunch breaks with friends. Another cherished memory is the Rotary International Day sale, a mix of panic and satisfaction, and celebrating Chinese New Year, which offered a beautiful glimpse into the cultures of fellow boarders. These experiences collectively fostered a sense of belonging and joy that continues to inspire me.

How did your time at Adcote shape your personal and professional journey?

Adcote played a significant role in shaping my personal and professional journey. As a prefect, I honed my leadership skills, learning how to guide and inspire others. The school helped me discover my academic interests and strengths, providing a solid foundation for my future pursuits. Additionally, I was introduced to meditation and mindfulness, which have become essential practices in managing stress and staying focused. The emphasis on connections and key values like confidence, leadership, and resilience taught me that achieving my goals is not just about hard work, but also about the relationships I build and the character I develop.

What are you currently doing in your career or personal life?

Went to the University of Edinburgh and completed my bachelor’s in neuroscience, but during that time, I was a very active member of a few societies:

• Modern Dance and Cheerleading Societies: I competed with them and attended competitions in Newcastle, Dundee, and Manchester (we won each time!).
• Meditation Society: I became treasurer in my final year and organised talks with inspiring speakers.
• Reeling Society (traditional Scottish dance)
• Surfing Society (yes, you can surf in Scotland!)
• Photography Society: I was a member and attended their events.

I lived in Mallorca and Fuerteventura over two summers for four months in each location, working as a fitness entertainer during the day—organising Pilates, yoga, and Zumba—and creating shows and performances during the night, including “The Greatest Showman.” This overall experience was super fun and developed my public speaking skills and helped improve my German and Spanish.

During my second year, I started my personal training business on the side and a small social media account about fitness, wellness, and figuring out your 20s. Now, I am collaborating with two main brands: MyProtein and Prozis.

In my final year, I started running and decided to complete the Edinburgh Marathon, raising a little money for Alzheimer’s Research (£100). I finished in 4 hours and 20 minutes (which I’m still proud of because I had only been running for a year).

During marathon prep, I finished my dissertation on the potential of stem cells to model sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. In May, I officially graduated with First Class Honours.

Currently, I am spending my first summer in Scotland working as a tour guide and completing an internship at the Centre for Brain Science in Edinburgh Neuroscience—working on the optogenetic control of tagging engram cells in mice hippocampal slices. In my free time, I am committed to visiting all places within the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions. I am really passionate about Scotland, its history, and hidden gems, so I am making the most of my ASVA card (a tour guide card that lets you attend all these places for free!). I have (almost) checked off all attractions in Edinburgh and Lothians and now I am moving to the Highlands and trying further destinations (but I don’t have a car, so I need to plan these in advance).

From September, I am hoping to start my Masters in Integrative Neuroscience, also at the University of Edinburgh (because I have truly fallen in love with it, and they won’t get rid of me that easily).

Looking forward, after my master’s, depending on which project feels more like me, I will be exploring memory in health or disease—either staying in Alzheimer’s research and improving the translation of scientific discoveries to a lay audience or moving to the biotechnology industry to work with tools improving cognitive health. As much public speaking as possible—I love it. We will see, but either way, I am excited for the next steps and extremely grateful for my education.

How do you stay connected with the Adcote community and fellow alumni?

I stay connected with the Adcote community primarily through my friendship with Katie. We’re both at the same university, which makes it easy for us to catch up regularly. We often meet up to explore attractions in Edinburgh, and we’ve made it a point to visit museums, local cafes, and historical sites together.

In addition to our in-person meetups, we stay connected online with girls from the grades below and above us. We have an active group chat where we share advice, celebrate achievements, and keep each other updated about our lives. This network has been a wonderful source of support and camaraderie.

Katie and I are also planning a visit to Adcote in September. We’re hoping to speak with the new sixth-formers, sharing our experiences and insights to help guide them. We’d love to give talks on university life and the transition from school to higher education.

What is your fondest memory from your time at Adcote School?

My fondest memories are the memories I made with friends. Especially during the scary time of exams and preparing to go out into the world at uni, I was grateful for the laughter, camaraderie and support I had from my friends at the time.

How did your time at Adcote shape your personal and professional journey?

Being an international boarding student at Adcote taught me to be independent, introduced me to a variety of different cultures, and helped me broaden my view of the world. It gave me the courage to believe that if I could learn these things so young at school, I would have the confidence to take up whatever was in my future.

What are you currently doing in your career or personal life?

Currently, I work for the government in healthcare, managing and supporting the data security of thousands of patients across the country.

What advice would you give to Adcote Students?

Get to know people who are different to you. It can be nerve-wracking stepping out of your shell at first, but it is so worth it!

How do you stay connected with the Adcote community and fellow alumni?

I occasionally have meetups with former classmates. We’re living completely different lives now, but when we meet up, it always feels like we never left! I love catching up with them and hearing how their lives have blossomed.