School Advisor Articles

Yashwini Brinda’s Path to Academic Excellence: From SKIS to UCL Pharmacy

Published by SchoolAdvisor | May 21, 2024

Yashwini Brinda’s journey towards academic excellence began at Sri KDU International School (SKIS). There, she cultivated a foundation that would propel her to the prestigious University College London (UCL). Studying in the UK has offered her numerous benefits and opened doors to exciting opportunities.

“I get to study in a world-class education system,” Yashwini explains. “I have been given various placement opportunities throughout NHS Trusts and Community Pharmacies to improve my skills and knowledge in serving the community and improving healthcare delivery.”

Before further exploring her programme at UCL, let’s rewind and explore her formative years at SKIS.

A Nurturing Learning Environment at SKIS

SKIS offers a holistic education that goes beyond academic excellence. From extracurricular activities to guidance, the school focuses on nurturing students’ overall development, including their confidence, responsibility and becoming reflective learners. Here, students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for academic success and fosters their self-esteem, helping them build positive relationships with other people.

“The school’s commitment to providing a holistic education ensured that students like me had access to academic learning and ample opportunities for personal development with competitions, sports tournaments and co-curricular activities,” Yashwini says.

Yashwini completed her IGCSE at Sri KDU and was active in co-curricular activities.

The classrooms at SKIS buzzed with interactive learning, where teachers employed engaging methods that nurtured critical thinking. Through hands-on activities, group discussions, and presentations, Yashwini was constantly challenged to explore new ideas and expand her knowledge base in all her subjects.

The school also provided exceptional pastoral support. Counsellors were readily available to address any personal or emotional challenges students faced. This support system proved invaluable for Yashwini, helping her navigate academic pressures, manage stress and deal with personal issues.

The dedication of the teachers was also genuinely inspiring. Their passion for teaching and commitment to each student’s learning journey was evident in the personalised attention and feedback they provided. Whether it was extra help with a difficult concept or career advice, Yashwini always felt supported.

“Special mentions go to my triple science teachers, Dr Angela, Ms Sharmilah and Ms Sharubini, who were always dedicated to ensuring we understood what we learnt during each of their lessons. Their teaching had made me develop a profound interest in science, which led me to pursue a healthcare degree at university.”

Thriving Through Activities and Societies

Yashwini’s high school experience transcended the classroom. As a member of the SKIS netball team, Yashwini participated in tournaments across different states and at the MSSD level. From coordinating strategies to supporting teammates, she learned the importance of collaboration, communication and trust in achieving shared goals. Similarly, the Duke of Edinburgh Expedition challenged her physically and mentally. Pushing through fatigue during competitions and adverse weather conditions on expeditions instilled in her resilience, grit and perseverance.

Balancing netball, the Duke of Edinburgh programme and academics instilled in Yashwini’s effective time management and organisation skills. Juggling training sessions, matches, expeditions, and schoolwork equipped her to prioritise tasks, manage her time efficiently, and maintain a well-organised approach.

“These skills proved instrumental in my success in university studies, where self-discipline and time management are critical for meeting deadlines and balancing academic and extracurricular activities.”

These experiences pushed Yashwini outside her comfort zone, allowing her to explore new interests and discover hidden strengths. Overcoming fears, developing resilience, and building self-confidence were just some of her transformations.

Yashwini participated in many activities, including netball, cheerleading, rhythmic gymnastics, and others.

Pursuing A-Levels at Sunway College

Yashwini pursued her A-Levels at Sunway College, scoring an A* in Economics and As in Chemistry and Maths. The modern facilities and well-equipped classrooms provided a positive learning environment. More importantly, she credits her success to the college’s dedicated faculty.

“My A-level teachers were experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate about their subjects. They often gave me personalised attention and support, even on busy weekdays or relaxing weekends, to address my individual learning needs when needed.”

Sunway College’s A-Level programme offered a broad and balanced education. The extensive range of subjects within the Cambridge A-Level curriculum allowed Yashwini to tailor her studies to her interests and future career goals. Beyond academics, Sunway provided excellent support systems. Yashwini benefited from academic support services like extra tutoring and study groups, enabling her to overcome challenges and achieve her educational goals. The college also offered a vibrant extracurricular scene with clubs and societies, promoting personal growth, leadership development and social interaction.

“Overall, my learning journey at Sunway College for A Levels helped me develop holistically and helped me acquire the skills and knowledge I needed to excel academically and thrive in my future endeavours.”

At Sunway College, Yashwini took Economics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for A Levels, scoring all As.

The UCL Dream and Sunway’s Support

Yashwini’s decision to pursue pharmacy at UCL stemmed from various factors. The school’s global renown for pharmacy education and research excellence made it an ideal choice. Additionally, her burgeoning interest in Medicinal Chemistry during A-Levels solidified her desire to delve deeper into drug development.

Sunway College’s invaluable support was pivotal in securing her admission to UCL. The Sunway IO University Placement (IOUP) team provided comprehensive guidance and resources throughout the application process.

They guided Yashwini through personal statement writing, ensuring her essays effectively showcased her academic interests, career goals, and suitability for the programme. The team also offered admission guidance, assisting with document compilation, application forms and deadlines.

“The Sunway IOUP team was pivotal in helping me navigate my university admission process, providing support, guidance and resources at every step. Their assistance was essential in helping me secure admission to one of the world’s leading universities for higher education.”

The International School Advantage

Studying at SKIS profoundly shaped Yashwini into the person she is today. Exposure to diverse teaching methods, curricular and learning styles encouraged creative and critical thinking, allowing her to tackle problems from multiple angles. She also developed the resilience to adapt to new situations and approach challenges.

Apart from that, juggling various responsibilities at SKIS honed her time management skills, a valuable asset that continues to benefit her. “I cannot express how much this has helped me until now, as the time management skills I learned when I was 17 have still been a practising habit that I have diligently followed up on till now. This has helped me become more responsible and polished my punctuality.”

What’s more, exposure to diverse perspectives improved her communication and conflict-resolution skills, teaching her to listen actively and find mutually beneficial solutions.

Reflecting on her experience, Yashwini wholeheartedly recommends SKIS to parents. “Whether through academic rigour, extracurricular activities, or career guidance, SKIS ensures that students are well-prepared to pursue their goals and aspirations beyond graduation. Parents can trust that their children will receive a quality education that lays a strong foundation for future success.”

After graduation, Yashwini plans to undertake training in London to become a fully licensed pharmacist.

Looking Ahead: A Career in Pharmacy

Upon graduation from UCL, Yashwini will embark on her journey to become a licensed pharmacist in London.  She will undergo a year of pre-registration training, working under the supervision of qualified pharmacists in various NHS healthcare settings. Following this, she will sit for her registration exam, a crucial step towards becoming a fully qualified pharmacist.

“Over the next five years, I plan to pursue a PhD or an MBA to increase my opportunities in career advancements such as healthcare business practices, leadership/managerial positions in healthcare policy or roles in industrial pharmacy.”

Her ultimate goal is to build a successful career in pharmacy, leveraging her knowledge and expertise to serve the community.