Holly chats with India, a third-year Product Design student at Cardiff Met, about how she found the courage to switch paths and follow her passion. India shares the benefits of living at home during university, including the ups and downs of making friends, and the importance of taking care of your mental health. She also discusses how switching universities helped her find her people, build her confidence, and discover the right course.
In this episode…
00:00 Teaser
00:21 India's Academic Journey
02:06 Living at Home and Mental Health
05:00 Quickfire Questions
12:43 Student Confessions – Super Noodles
14:36 Learning to Cook
16:04 University Decisions and Pressures
17:37 Why Cardiff Met?
20:31 Entrepreneurial Challenges
24:30 Future Plans
25:59 Outro
Holly chats with Kayla, a Master’s Sport Rehabilitation student at Cardiff Met, about what it’s really like moving abroad for university. From the nerves of leaving Canada to finding accommodation and joining the dance team, Kayla shares her experience of studying in the UK. She also talks about her background in kinesiology and future career aspirations in athletic therapy. Also, Holly really loves custard.
In this episode…
00:00 Teaser
00:29 Kayla's Journey from Canada to Cardiff
01:40 Nerves and Accommodation
03:17 Making Friends and Social Life
04:18 British Slang
06:01 Academic Pursuits and Career Goals
09:45 Quick Fire Questions
12:08 Advice for Starting Uni
13:05 Ask Holly – Custard
16:10 Food Cravings
17:02 Studying in the UK
19:18 Living in Cardiff
20:58 Outro
Finding independence and her love for Cardiff. Soph, a third-year Textile Design student at Cardiff Met, joins Holly to share her experience of moving from a small village to city life. Living in halls, food shopping, transport and joining the Christian Union. Soph reflects on how university has shaped her.
In this episode…
00:00 Teaser
00:17 Meet Soph: A Third-Year Textile Design Student
01:46 Adjusting to University Life
03:17 Living in Halls
04:10 Studying Textile Design
07:18 Quick Fire Questions
09:23 Student Confessions
11:16 Making Friends in Halls
11:46 Deciding to Go to University
13:22 Choosing Cardiff Met
14:54 Becoming a Student Ambassador
16:53 Post-Graduation Plans
20:20 Life in Cardiff
21:29 Outro
What’s it really like studying in the UK? Fakhar travelled from Pakistan to study Data Science at Cardiff Met, and in this episode, he joins Holly to share his story. From first-day nerves to finding independence, he discusses settling into life in Cardiff, making friends through university events, and why stepping out of your comfort zone can change everything.
In this episode…
00:00 Episode Teaser
00:20 Meet Fakhar: An International Student's Journey
00:41 Adjusting to Life in the UK
01:33 Settling In and Making Friends
04:53 Accommodation and Independence
06:32 Quick Fire Questions
09:34 Student Confessions
11:13 Challenges of Moving Away from Home
12:01 Studying Data Science
13:57 Exploring Cardiff
16:48 Making Friends as an International Student
17:52 Diversity in Cardiff
19:04 Outro from Holly
From living in halls to whiplash on nights out and managing study stress, Amy talks honestly about the highs and lows of student life. She’s a third-year Graphic Design & Communication student at Cardiff Met and joins Holly to tell her story. Amy shares her favourite Cardiff hangouts and how opportunities at university have shaped her career plans.
In this episode…
00:00 Episode Teaser
00:14 Introducing Amy
00:31 Pre-University Nerves and Saying Goodbye
02:17 Making Friends and Settling In
04:03 Living in Halls
05:17 Course Dynamics and Friends
06:39 Pre-Drinks
08:18 Ask Holly
12:16 Quickfire Questions
18:38 University Life and Advice
23:11 Career Plans
25:33 Favourite Things to Do in Cardiff
27:14 Outro from Holly
Swapping the Golden Gate Bridge for Cardiff Castle. Royal, a first-year Software Engineering student at Cardiff Met, shares his journey from California to Wales. Clicking with course mates, finding the skateboarding community and surviving halls. Royal talks about the highs, the challenges, and his ambition to launch a tech firm helping neurodiverse students.
In this episode…
00:00 Episode teaser
00:20 Introducing Royal
01:34 Adjusting to University Life
04:01 Living in Halls
05:10 Ask Holly: Mattress Dominoes
07:40 Quick Fire Questions
11:05 Student Confessions
13:05 First Year and Making Friends
13:31 Choosing Software Engineering
14:54 Robot Dog
15:39 Finding Part-time Work
17:40 Graduation Goals
18:13 Skateboarding in Cardiff
19:32 Outro from Holly
From third place at the World Cheerleading Championships in Florida to Clearing and Cardiff Met. Stephanie’s journey to university is anything but typical. Now a third-year Brand and Marketing Management student, she joins Holly to chat about navigating Clearing, smashing her goals, and how to make the most of uni life (whether you planned it or not).
In this episode…
00:00 Episode Teaser
00:17 Meet Stephanie
00:31 Applying Through Clearing
01:57 Starting Uni in Your 20s
04:02 Accommodation and Making Friends
04:52 Quick Fire Questions
07:27 Air Fryer Rizz
10:07 Student Confessions
13:18 Deciding on University
14:33 World Cheerleading Championships
17:18 Balancing Cheer and Study
19:14 Work Placement and Career Goals
23:05 Ideal Day in Cardiff
25:36 Outro from Holly
Worried about making friends or choosing the right course? Liv’s been there. Now in her third year of Health and Social Care at Cardiff Met, she joins Holly to chat about her journey. From first-day nerves and living in halls, to finding her people and co-founding the Feminist Society. They dive into the power of student communities and why saying “yes” to things can change everything at university.
In this episode…
00:00 Episode Teaser
00:12 Meet Liv: A Third-Year Health and Social Care Student
00:27 Pre-Uni Nerves and First Impressions
01:05 Settling into Halls and Making Friends
03:03 Studying Health and Social Care
04:23 Adapting and Thriving in University
06:18 Ask Holly: Nose Ring
09:37 Quick Fire Questions
12:48 Your Perfect Date
13:14 University Journey and Career Choices
19:25 Starting the Feminist Society
22:27 Reflections on University Life
23:03 Outro from Holly
Nervous about starting uni? So was Ash. Now she’s smashing it as a Product Design student at Cardiff Met. From joining the ski society and lifelong friends, to balancing work and deadlines. She chats with Holly about uni life, her inspiring design project for cancer patients, and what she wishes she’d known before starting. Don’t miss one of the wildest student confessions we’ve heard yet.
In this episode…
00:00 Episode Teaser
00:16 Introduction from Holly
00:30 Starting Uni
02:21 Living in Cardiff
04:06 Choosing Product Design
06:23 Student Confessions
10:32 Quick Fire Questions
13:12 Why Go to Uni?
13:57 Finding Yourself at Uni
15:32 Studying Product Design
16:31 Part-Time Work and Placements
18:08 Plans After Graduation
18:35 Skiing Society and Making Friends
19:59 Cardiff Nightlife
21:06 Outro from Holly
Aarya, an international student from Mumbai, joins Holly to talk about her journey to Cardiff Met. Studying her MSc in Project Management, she shares what it was like adjusting to student life in the UK, from finding your community to student accommodation and why giving yourself time to settle matters.
In this episode…
00:12 Introduction from Holly
00:28 Why the UK and Cardiff Met?
01:09 First Impressions and Challenges
01:46 Settling In and Finding Community
03:12 Building Confidence and Getting Involved
04:58 Accommodation
05:53 South Asian Community at Cardiff Met
07:54 Quick Fire Questions
10:59 Student Confessions: Embarrassing Lecture Moment
13:21 Choosing Project Management
18:29 Life in Cardiff vs. Mumbai
19:59 Favourite Activities and Food in Cardiff
21:20 Outro from Holly
Alex’s love of sport has taken him across the world. From studying in America to finding his home at Cardiff Met. In this episode, he chats with Holly about what it’s really like to study MSc Sport Broadcast, compete on the university tennis team, and build a future in sports media.
If you’re into tennis, thinking about studying sport, or just want to hear some brilliant student stories, this one is for you.
In this episode…
00:14 Introduction from Holly
00:45 Tennis, America and Cardiff Met
02:41 Starting University and Finding Yourself
05:50 Student Confessions: Handcuffs
08:40 Quick Fire Questions
11:14 Why University?
12:45 Cyncoed Campus = Sport Everywhere
13:30 Performance Sport at Cardiff Met
15:10 Work Placements and Career
16:11 Part-time Work
17:51 Cardiff Met Tennis Team
19:10 Life in Cardiff vs. Brighton
19:55 Favourite Places in Cardiff
21:43 Outro
Maddie started uni on a sports course and competing with the Cardiff Met gymnastics team, but one year in, she made the bold move to switch to law. Now a third-year LLB Law student, she joins Holly to share her journey, from moving into halls and starting university, to some of her favourite places in Cardiff.
In this episode ……
00:07 Introduction from Holly
00:23 Starting uni and living in halls
01:25 Sport Coaching to Law, Maddie’s switch
02:45 Moot. What does ‘moot’ mean?!
04:51 Do you know what LLB stands for?
05:55 Quick Fire Questions
09:14 Student Confessions
12:21 Why Maddie went to uni
13:04 Why Cardiff Met?
14:49 Work placement module
15:59 Taking ‘the bar’
17:45 Working as a gymnastics coach
19:44 Gymnastics team socials
21:20 Go to spots in Cardiff
23:43 Outro
Say yes to everything - within reason! Celyn reflects on her growth and independence at uni whilst making friends and blowing her budget. The Fashion Marketing student is the Met Marketers Society President and says it’s a great way to meet new people. Coming from a small Welsh village, Celyn talks about culture shock and building confidence in Cardiff.
In this episode…
00:20 – Introduction from Holly
00:33 – What Celyn was most excited about
01:02 – Welcome Week
01:30 – Studying Fashion Marketing
02:18 – Arriving at accommodation and making friends
03:58 – Going on to campus for the first time
04:48 – Moving to Cardiff
05:44 – Quick fire questions
07:39 – Societies (President of The MET Marketers)
08:31 – Quick fire questions continued
11:22 – Celyn’s background
11:56 – Why university and why Cardiff MET?
13:10 – Plans after graduation
13:35 – Favourite thing about being a student
14:05 – Favourite places on campus and in Cardiff
14:57 – Societies
15:41 – Funny uni story
17:55 – Part-time work
18:14 – Money saving tips
20:07 – Outro
Moving away from home, joining the vibrant Cardiff Met art community and discovering herself, Fine Art student Lauren shares her story. With a background in competitive figure skating and a passion for abstract art, she offers advice on being confident, kind, and your best self. Lauren talks about the buzz of the degree show and organising the after party.
In this episode…
00:20 – Introduction from Holly
00:36 – What Lauren was most excited about
01:08 – First week of uni and making friends
02:35 – Why Fine Art?
04:19 – Arriving at accommodation
06:13 – First time on campus
07:20 – Quick fire questions
11:40 – Lauren’s background and why uni
12:46 – Why Cardiff Met?
13:33 – Lauren’s inspirations
14:34 – Studying for a Masters
16:06 – Grad show
17:55 – Best thing about being a student
18:37 - Favourite places to go in Cardiff
19:17 – Societies
19:43 – Money and budgeting
20:37 – Favourite memory from third year
21:44 – Outro
Bob wythnos mae Elliot yn trafod gemau rygbi Dynion a Menywod Met Caerdydd. Ffilmio, y cyfryngau cymdeithasol a diweddariadau byw. Newidiodd ei gwrs er mwyn dilyn ei freuddwyd o fod yn ddarlledwr chwaraeon. Yn byw gartref ac yn astudio Cyfryngau Chwaraeon, mae Elliot yn rhannu ei brofiadau yn y brifysgol a gyda'r Gymraeg yn y brifysgol.
Yn y bennod hon…
00:00 – Rhagflas
00:12 – Cyflwyniad gan Celyn
00:28 – Am beth roedd Elliot yn teimlo’n fwyaf cyffrous?
01:13 – Wythnos Groeso
01:54 – Astudio Cyfryngau Chwaraeon
03:24 – Newid cyrsiau ac astudio tra’n byw gartref
04:33 – Cwestiynau Cyflym
08:55 – Cefndir Elliot
10:14 – Pam Prifysgol?
11:35 – Arweinydd Cyfryngau Rygbi Met Caerdydd
13:14 – Gobeithion ar ôl graddio
13:48 – Y Gymraeg ym Met Caerdydd
15:26 – Straeon gorau'r brifysgol
17:09 – Diweddglo
Sport Media student Ioan shares how rugby has shaped his uni experience. He talks about resitting second year helped build his resilience and confidence. Ioan recalls his star-struck moment of meeting course leader and podcaster Steff Garrero from The Socially Distant Sports Bar, and how it inspired him to dream big about his career plans.
Shownotes
In this episode ……
00:15 – Introduction from Holly
00:29 – What Ioan was most excited about
01:19 – Moving into halls
01:45 – Inspiration for studying Sports Media
02:33 – First impressions of accommodation
03:16 – Starstruck on campus
04:45 – Settling into uni life
05:16 – Quick fire questions
09:24 – Ioan’s background
10:14 – Why university and why Cardiff MET?
11:09 – Plans after graduating
11:31 – Best thing about being a student
12:06 – Favourite places on campus and in Cardiff
13:06 – Playing sport at uni
14:25 – What is the Cardiff clash?
15:21 – Cardiff nightlife
16:27 – Challenges during uni
18:03 – Outro
Balancing high-energy cheerleading and the precision of Cyber Security. Self-confessed ‘nerd’ Phoebe chats FBI shows, ethical hacking, and making lifelong friends through Cheer and Dance. She shares how university life is all about balance, fun and finding your passion.
In this episode...
00:00 – Teaser
00:13 – Introduction from Holly
00:28 – What Phoebe was most excited about
01:05 – First week of uni
01:56 – Computer Security course and career prospects
04:04 – Arriving in accommodation
04:48 – Going on to campus for the first time
05:25 – Quick fire questions
08:14 – Cheer and Dance
08:57 – Why university?
10:17 – Why Cardif MET?
11:29 – Best thing about being a student
12:50 – Places on campus and in Cardiff
13:41 – Cheerleading socials and training
18:19 – Outro
Anysha’s energy is infectious! Listen to her story of living at home, changing universities, and her top foodie tips. From growing up in a big family-oriented household to embracing university and Islamic Society, Anysha shares her journey of studying Primary Education.
In this episode ……
00:00 – Teaser
00:14 – Introduction from Holly
00:30 – What Anysha was most excited about
00:56 – Welcome Week
01:50 – Studying Primary Education
03:25 – Living at home whilst studying
04:21 – Campus for the first time
06:21 – Quick fire questions
09:47 – Top tip for making friends
13:37 – Anysha’s background
14:38 – Why university and why Cardiff MET?
16:08 – Future plans
16:09 – Best thing about being a student
17:26 – Societies
18:48 – Possessed toilet
20:48 – Favourite places on campus and in Cardiff
22:35 – Outro
Born in Kathmandu and raised in the US, Vibhor is well-travelled! Now, he calls Cardiff his ninth city. The international student knew Aviation Management was the right career path for him, and he felt “a calling from Cardiff Met.” V and Holly talk student discounts, Welsh cakes, and his sky-high passion for aviation.
In this episode ……
00:00 – Teaser
00:17 – Introduction from Holly
00:32 – What Vibhor was most excited about
00:51 – Welcome week
01:36 – Studying Aviation Management
02:50 – Moving to Cardiff and accommodation
03:41 – Arriving on campus
04:24 – Quick fire questions
10:38 – Vibhor’s background
11:55 – Why university?
12:27 – Why Cardiff Met?
12:58 – Future plans
13:25 – Favourite thing about being a student
13:51 – Campus and Cardiff
14:45 – Making friends
15:39 – What is Aviation Management
17:01 – Outro
Every week Elliot covers Cardiff Met’s Men’s and Women’s rugby games. Filming, social media and live updates. He changed courses to follow his dream of being a sport broadcaster. Living at home and studying Sport Media, Welsh speaking Elliot shares his experience.
In this episode ……
00:00 – Trailer
00:15 – Introduction from Holly
00:28 – What Elliot was most excited about
00:57 – Welcome Week
01:32 – Studying Sport Media
02:12 – Changing courses and living at home
04:21 – Going on to campus for the first time
05:22 – Quick fire questions
08:42 – Elliot’s background
10:21 – Why university?
12:13 – Media Lead for Cardiff Met Rugby
13:36 – Summer golf media internship
14:27 – Being a student
15:07 – Places on campus and in Cardiff
18:01 – Outro
