University results indicate whether students have met their academic goals. These outcomes are a product of sustained effort and may influence future planning. Recently, this was demonstrated in the Nurse household in West London when Latoya received her university exam results.
Latoya Nurse was born in England to Deborah, an English-born woman of Barbadian descent, and Shawn, who was born and raised in Barbados.
Her remarkable prowess became evident early in her education when she received recognition for “best diary” during a primary school trip. Her teacher remarked that her account was both accurate and engaging, demonstrating a keen sense of humour and sustaining the reader’s interest throughout.
At the age of eleven, the family moved to Barbados, where Latoya started secondary school at St. Ursula’s Convent School. In her long plaid skirt and braces on her teeth, it was a culture shock. She had no idea what she wanted to do as a career, and that was fine; after all, she was eleven years old.
Whilst in Barbados, circumstances compelled the family to return to the UK
On her return to England for Year 8 (second form), discussions about her future began, with questions about whether she would pursue an apprenticeship, attend college/ sixth form, or enter the workforce. “That it begged the question – what do I want to do and who do I want to become?”
English was her favourite subject, and she had always been drawn to crime fiction and the legal system. So, she thought of becoming a lawyer; however, her mantra has always been one step at a time. Latoya knew that her next goal was to excel in her GCSEs to meet the entry requirements for sixth form and complete her A Levels.
She chose Psychology as one of her A Levels, this interest in the human mind began, sparking her fascination with why people commit crime. After researching whether there was a career combining law, criminology, and psychology, she came across forensic psychology—a field in which forensic psychologists conduct risk assessments and therapeutic interventions for individuals who have engaged in criminal behaviour. Armed with this knowledge, she chose to pursue an undergraduate BSc in Criminology and Psychology, which enabled her to gain a deep understanding of both fields and begin her journey toward becoming a qualified forensic psychologist.
Latoya said that her first year at university was a great experience; she met people on her course with whom she got along very well, and who remain very close friends. She had to adjust to the coursework, marking system, and listening to lectures, as opposed to the interactive nature of a classroom setting that she was accustomed to from secondary school and sixth form.
The advice she received from many was to enjoy the first year – go out, have fun, and socialise as much as possible, because it’s the second and third years that count towards your final grade and are much more intense. After achieving 2:1s and 2:2s in Semester 1 of her first year, it was important to her to understand what she needed to do to achieve higher grades. It was at this stage that she decided to use the writing skills department at the university library, listened to feedback, and in the second semester gained two 1:1s and finished the year on a high, achieving a 2:1.
During the summer break, Latoya began working as a support worker in a residential home for children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.
It was during her third year, she started volunteering with individuals who had engaged in criminal behaviour. She found it incredibly rewarding to contribute to providing children with consistency in their lives and help reduce further victimisation, respectively. She also recognised the importance of gaining experience collaborating with vulnerable communities and individuals who have been involved in the criminal justice system, as this would be helpful when applying to study for a Forensic Psychology MSc or a job.
After completing her exams, she waited anxiously for the results, and the anticipation grew even more on the day they were expected.
“When my results came out, my mum opened the email, a ritual of ours when grades were released. The email was quite long and overloaded with information, and the wait only added to my anticipation. When my mum eventually scrolled down the email, she read out ‘you got a first in your dissertation and a First Class Honours overall!’ “
A significant moment for Latoya, as the dissertation was a major part of her degree and a stepping stone towards her career in forensic psychology. She felt there was a high possibility, but actually seeing it written in the email was quite a feeling. All those doubts about her dissertation, doubts that increased as the weeks went by before grades were scheduled for release. As she stared at the screen, she felt a mix of relief and gratitude – relief that the late nights, countless hours in the library, conversations with lecturers and the writing skills team had all paid off.
She felt gratitude towards her family and friends who supported her during her studies, towards herself for her dedication, resilience, and determination in every piece of work she gave, and towards God, whom she prayed to countless times in need of strength and guidance.”
As the family shared the good news, Latoya became aware of her achievement of being the first in the family to achieve First Class Honours and the high bar she had set.
“I hadn’t discussed my grades with my family before this, and so the celebration and praise were loud. As the sun set, the presence of my late grandparents, Charles and Barbara Clarke (who resided in Barbados in their early years before immigrating to England in the 1960s), was felt immensely as they were an active part of my childhood and extremely proud when they heard I was going to the University of Southampton.”
Her graduation was not just a personal milestone, but a celebration of the collective efforts and support that had brought her to this point. It was a moment to share with her faculty, peers, friends, and family, who had been her pillars of strength throughout this journey. As one chapter closed, another exciting chapter awaits.
She is now preparing to embark on Forensic Psychology MSc, starting in September 2025. This will mark the completion of Stage 1 of Latoya’s journey towards becoming a qualified forensic psychologist. However, for now, she is actively seeking relevant work experience in a forensic setting, which will further enhance those undeniable skills and prepare her for Stage 2 of the qualification.
