Robyn Blacklaw

Robyn’s NESCol journey started back in 2018 when she left Ellon Academy and enrolled on a non-advanced course in Social Sciences, having left school with no qualifications. She has since progressed right through to HND level where she thrived and went from strength to strength.

Earlier this year, Robyn was nominated by the Social Sciences lecturing team at the annual NESCol Go Celebrate! Awards. The Awards are an uplifting event in the College calendar where students from across the curriculum are recognized not only for their academic success but for important qualities demonstrated during their studies including talent, commitment, resilience, innovation and courage.

Robyn was the worthy recipient of the Amanda Mills Award, presented annually in memory of a much-loved former student. The award dedicated in her honour recognises outstanding achievement in HND Social Sciences.

Lecturers were glowing in their praise, remarking on Robyn’s engaging contributions in discussions on complex subjects and on the specialist knowledge she has built. Robyn’s kindness has also been noted. The team recognised that she developed throughout her time at College from being a shy student to a confident, hardworking, diligent and resilient individual. The way in which Robyn grasped the chance to fulfil her potential was also highlighted and her progression was a source of great pride to the Social Sciences team.

Talking about her years at College, Robyn said: “I absolutely loved my time at NESCol. It was a much better fit for me than school and a great environment to learn in. You are very much treated as an adult and obviously are more engaged as it’s a subject you’re really interested in.

“There were challenges along the way, I didn’t enjoy online learning during the pandemic but we all kept each other going and it was great when we got back onto campus again. Finding out I’d been nominated for and won the Amanda Mills Award was a really special moment for me and something I’ll always be very proud of.”

Robyn’s success at NESCol has allowed her to take advantage of the College’s articulation agreement with Robert Gordon University and she has gone directly into Year 3 of a BA Hons Applied Social Sciences.