Hello! I hope you are enjoying this year’s Festival of Archaeology, and especially the Youth Takeover today.

Just over a year ago about my path in archaeology, and finished it looking forward to September when I would be starting my university degree in archaeology. I am sure I was following in the footsteps of many prospective university students before me when I created a fantastical image of what university life would be like. I would get up early, take my cute flask of tea to lectures and pop between the library and department before going down to the Student Union bar in the evening. Alas, that was not to be.

My first year at university was a strange one, with tiers and lockdowns meaning I have spent most of my year interacting with my fellow students via a laptop screen. This was certainly a strange experience, but in many ways, I felt very lucky. My department has done everything they possibly can to engage with us. This has led to some very novel Zoom sessions! In addition, I have had the most amazing academic advisor, who has supported me throughout this year encouraging me to try new opportunities, such as joining a student representatives committee.

In addition to the academic nature of being a student, it is the extra-curricula opportunities like this that I have discovered really shape your university experience. So, a bit of advice for any prospective students- yes think about your studies (it always helped to contact lecturers before the start of term and get any reading done) but also consider the societies (especially any relating to archaeology, they always have wonderful people).

One of the most important aspects of any archaeology degree, in my opinion, is the fieldwork training they give you. This is one aspect of my degree that I have been looking forward to for ages (I think I have had actual dreams about being in a trench on more than one occasion!). About a month ago my university gave the go ahead for fieldwork; since then there has been an excited buzz amongst the staff and students as we all prepare. I am currently down in Herefordshire on my fieldwork and so I am unfortunately not able to take part in the session’s today as I am busy doing one of the ‘big things’ and archaeology student does. That being said, I am really hoping to take part in many of the other aspects of the Festival and I hope you all find many interesting activities relating to archaeology too.

For anyone considering going for a degree in archaeology, my advice is always go for it! It is one of the broadest and most fascinating subjects out there. There will undoubtably be hiccups down the road, but at the end of the day archaeology is, I think, one of the most innovative and wonderful sectors full of great people who are always willing to help out the next generation. No matter how obscure it may seem, there will always be a path that aligns with your interest. For me, I started the year fascinated by prehistory and especially the Mesolithic, and while those interests have stayed with me, I have discovered I really love Early Medieval archaeology too.

Thank you for reading and enjoy the rest of the Festival!

Issy