I chose DMU and have never looked back

They say everything happens for a reason, and that’s certainly true for De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) student Samson Makinde.

After just missing out on the grades he needed for his first choice, it was recommendations from family and friends that made him check out DMU.

Now a year after joining DMU, he says university has helped him become a more confident person, and he says his flatmates are like “his family” – they are even planning a holiday together in Portugal next month.




Samson, 18, who is studying Economics and Finance, said: “On my A-levels day I was a bit disappointed because the results weren’t what I wanted. But I knew I wanted to go to university and I started calling round other unis.

“I’d already heard of DMU, and I know some people who were already trying to go there and a friend of mine was going there as well. I was on the phone to a cousin and she was saying how nice Leicester was as a city and I’d heard really good things about how people come here to study and they always want to go back.

“I had offers from Coventry, Nottingham Trent and DMU. I chose DMU and haven’t looked back.

“University has helped me to become more independent. I think the education system up until uni is all being talked at and here, you are given the freedom to think and to form your own opinions.

“To me, university is all about the experience and the people you meet. At DMU they are very very helpful, there’s always people who want to support students and help you on your path.”

RELATED NEWS:
* Thinking of university? Find out more about DMU's courses
* Economics and Finance BSc (Hons) course page
* Economics students get policy insights in Hong Kong

One of the best things about university has been meeting his flatmates. He was originally down to live somewhere else, but that flat fell through and he was offered a room sharing with five others.

Now they are all close friends. Many of his flatmates shared his Christian faith and they all belong to the Christian society Radical Youth, for students from DMU and University of Leicester. He has also joined the ACS at DMU and a gospel music collective called Imprint Sound.

He said: “I feel like things happen for a reason and me coming here has meant I have met people I now consider my family and I thank God every day for it.”

Samson’s advice on A-levels day is not to worry. He added: “It’s not the end of the world if you don’t get your first choice, I honestly don’t think I would have the opportunities if I had now if I had gone to the other university. When you think about it, your grades don’t define who you are. The way you behave, the way you act and your character – that’s what defines you.”