30TH OCT 2025
Why study at GC? Hear from our students
From the longer breaks and lack of uniform to building confidence and becoming more independent, some of our students have rounded up their favourite things about college!
Fleur Prosser, L2 Beauty Therapy
I didn’t like having lesson after lesson after lesson at school. I’m happy to be in college. We‘re treated more like adults than in school and it’s helped me become more mature. Coming in and doing treatments on clients means it’s a completely different environment. With clients, we have to have a mature approach and it’s a very professional set-up. We know what the outside world is going to be like for a job.
My lecturer has helped me so much with gaining confidence and learning everything. I feel confident speaking to clients and giving advice to them.
Looking at the amount of work and treatments I’ve done, I feel a real sense of pride. I take a lot of pride in what I’ve done now, I’ve achieved so much and really developed because of all the work I’ve done.
Lois Liles, L2 Catering and Hospitality
I’ve loved being able to practice what I’m doing in a real-life environment when we open the restaurant to the public. I love the mix of studying and doing the work; to still be learning and training while still not losing the passion I have for the business.
I like the freedom you have at college and the fact that we can go out on our breaks and have more independence. I’ve loved hanging out with my friends and made some good friends here - I like how it’s scheduled and that we have one day a week to work. And we get nice long breaks rather than a 10 minute break.
Owen Swift, L2 Carpentry Apprenticeship
I was doing A Levels but didn’t really enjoy it, so I left sixth form and I’ve been working for my dad’s company. I enjoy the people I work with – I learn things every day while I work on site. I like second fix stuff, doing skirting and architrave, because it feels like you’re completing a job and that’s satisfying.
At college I like learning things in more detail. I’m quite a hands on person anyway – at college they show you the details of why you do things like this and how you can use different techniques in different ways.
You get treated more as an adult. I’ve got a really good relationship with my lecturers and my student mentor has helped me with loads of stuff, including exam support.
Eryn Anis, L2 Art and Design
As I get older, I want to be an artist so this is the start of pursuing what I want to do. The best thing about the course is doing things I've never done before. At the minute I'm doing painting, but my teacher Ben, who's been teaching me different ways you can paint and how to improve, has helped boost my confidence and pushed me in the right direction.
The trips are really good. We went to Oxford to explore the museums, and we also went to Wake The Tiger in Bristol, which was amazing.
College isn't all so stressful, and what people say it is. You just get your work done, be yourself and have fun, and embrace all the new things you've learnt.
Alex, L2 Mechanical Engineering
I'd like to become an engineer for the future, so this was the best way to start my career. I feel like I'm progressing quite quickly, and I'm really enjoying it.
The fact that I can be creative and help people and work alongside companies is something I've always wanted to do.
I enjoy that I can be independent as well as working with friends. I've used different types of equipment. The most useful thing I've used so far is a lathe and how to operate it, it will get me far in the industry.
If you’re inspired and want to explore your college options, look at our huge range of courses below!
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