“Things you think are impossible can be achieved”

Business Management graduate Kasia Mydlik is City College Norwich's Higher Education Student of the Year.

Kasia held a long-standing ambition to complete a degree course, and having initially been interested in Psychology decided on Business Management because this related to her job as a branch manager of a high street bank.

In common with many of City College Norwich’s Higher Education students, Ms Mydlik had to balance her studies with work and family life.

Whilst studying she had to contend with the considerable challenge that her brother experienced severe difficulties with his mental health, and Kasia had to spend a lot of time and energy working to ensure he received the care he needed.

Reflecting on her degree achievement and the journey she has been on, Kasia said:

“I always thought that getting a degree would be the missing piece to my puzzle, as you never know what it can lead on to.  It has helped me become more confident and I always looked forward to the proud moment of being able to say I’ve achieved that."

Having realised her goal, graduating in the surrounds of Norwich Cathedral on Saturday, Kasia said:

“Things you think are impossible can be achieved.” 

Although her brother is currently in hospital, Kasia said he was at the forefront of her thoughts as she graduated:

“I would have loved it if my brother was with me today.  We are a close family and he is very much in my thoughts.”

She added that the support she received from her lecturers during her course had been a big help and motivation:

“My main lecturer, Maureen Pettican, gave me great support with the things I was dealing with.  She was a little bit of an inspiration to me, which helped me to believe I could do it.”