Lennon Arnot tells us how a young entrepreneurial instinct lead him to study Business Management at the University of Cumbria.
What brought you to the University of Cumbria?
I came to study at the University of Cumbria as it was a university which offered me everything I needed, whilst having a welcoming and positive feeling on campus. Most universities to me seemed off putting and generally intimidating coming straight from college. When I came to visit the campus here I instantly felt welcomed and encouraged which definitely helped my decision to come here.
Why did you choose to pursue (your subject) at the University of Cumbria?
Business has been an interest of mine for a very long time, and when I saw that the University of Cumbria was running this class for the first time in 10 years it was perfect for me! If I was to take this course at any other university in the country at a similar level I would be looking at a class size of 200+, whilst here at the University of Cumbria the class sizes allow me and my colleagues to have a far greater relationship with our tutors and in turn improving our overall grades.
What’s been the most difficult obstacle you’ve overcome in your education journey so far?
My toughest obstacle I have faced was the pandemic back in 2020 and the lockdown which came with it. The lockdown came out of nowhere and when my college shut down it was incredibly difficult to go from face-to-face learning to having online calls over Microsoft teams. I personally struggled to manage through this, but I’m glad this situation happened as it has allowed me to develop skills which I have implemented into my university life.
What was the breakthrough moment for you when things began to fall into place?
There has been a couple of instances I can recall where things began to fall in place, one being around the age of 14 where I began to find real interests in business through my love for shoes. I began buying and selling shoes whilst at school, learning the very basics of business and e-commerce on my own which made me very keen on looking into further education down this road. Without my interest in shoes and specifically making money from them, I would most likely have taken a very different path through higher education.
Another instance I can recall is the back end of the covid pandemic. After almost 2 years of my life practically being put on hold, I felt like my character hadn’t developed naturally due to the climate we were in and with that I really struggled to come to grips with what I wanted to do with myself moving forward. This is when I discovered the University of Cumbria and the business management course that they were running. I wasn’t originally planning on going to university but the University really opened my eyes up to a great opportunity which I knew I couldn’t miss.
How have you found studying at the University of Cumbria?
I have absolutely loved studying at the University of Cumbria. Studying both on and off campus whilst being a student at this University has been amazing for the past 2 years. We have access to everything we need with a click of a button though the University’s portal which makes studying off campus that bit more stress free which I deeply appreciate. I personally prefer studying on campus and using one of the many different areas dedicated to study which again I very much appreciate. It allows me to just get on with my work with no worries or distractions causing any issues, whilst having access to anything I desire.
What skills are you learning that are helping you on your educational journey?
I think there are lots of different skills which are required for further education, many of which I may not even have developed to a great level yet in all honesty. But the skills I have learnt and still are which are great for me and my educational journey are time keeping, working under pressure and teamwork. The first two are pretty self-explanatory when it comes to university work, but teamwork was a skill which I wasn’t really expecting to gain from my course. With the smaller nature of my class, it has allowed me and my classmates to form a good connection and with that, a great bond over group work projects which really helped improve all of our teamwork skills.
How is University life beyond your studies - friends, socials, accommodation/travel, etc?
Life beyond University is great! Our whole class have created a great friendship and with that has opened up opportunities to socialise together away from the academic scene which is a very nice thing to have. Also with the location of the campus, we are situated in one of the most beautiful areas in the country which gives me amazing opportunities to do some real great activities in the local area which I love! Going into the Lake District is one of the best things you can truly do, it is a wonderful place.
Top tips for people looking to do the same course as you?
My number one tip for anybody doing my course or anything in general is to just enjoy yourself! You are in such an amazing position to be able to study at university and the student life can be stressful at times, but just make sure to enjoy yourself! Look at your situation from multiple perspectives and truly understand where you are at, it really will help you gain the best basis to give yourself a balanced lifestyle. Make sure the academic part of your life is on track as it is the most important thing, but don’t let it rule you!
Another tip I couldn’t recommend more is to take full advantage of all the resources you have available. If that is your tutors or facilities that the University has on offer, make sure to use it to maximise your studies!
If you're interested in joining our Business Management programme, click here Business Management