To be honest with you, I always knew my abilities and that I could achieve great potentials. However, I was growing up in a system that had never motivated me to work hard or inspire me to push myself harder for better results. When I was sixteen, I was a student less-than‑average and an obese child with no enthusiasm to change anything anytime soon. Then I made the wisest decision of my life; I recognised that the environment that I was in did not help me thrive as a person and decided to leave Greece and study at the University of Kent in England.
My end goal has always been to become a tax lawyer but for a student less‑than‑average with an unhealthy lifestyle, the probabilities were against me. A tax lawyer needs both the financial tax knowledge, as well as the legal awareness; I knew I needed two degrees.
So I started!
As my English skills were terrible at the time, I decided to start with an economics degree, which requires more mathematics skills than law school, where a close‑to‑perfect English is much needed. The application process took place via UCAS, and because I was too lazy to do it myself at the time, I paid a visit to an agency that specialises in helping students with app‑ lications to foreign universities. Taking this step was a great choice, as not only they helped me fill out my application and assisted with writing the necessary documents, but also they actually helped me to self ‑reflect and understand my goals clearly.
One year later, I found myself at the University of Kent studying economics, weighing 110 kilos, first time away from home and more lost than ever. Luckily, the English University system does recognise that the above situation is confusing to 90% of the children leaving their homes for the first time. Therefore, the first year of University is not difficult, no matter which University you are attending in the UK. Nevertheless, I still almost failed. The relaxed academic schedule allowed me to become involved with basketball, a sport that I have always loved but never participated in highly competitive leagues. In my second year, I became a starting player and I really felt the pressure of my team depending on me, so I decided to make a change.
Realising my potential
When I started at Kent, I was weighing 110 kilos, in the second year I dropped to 64 kg. The awful food, primary ingredients and cuisine the UK has really helped to focus on sports, eat healthily and become a fitter individual. By my third year, my confidence was very high, my life was in perfect order and I learned to take control of my own body and mind. I placed myself on a very tight schedule, which made me preform exceptionally academically and in sports.That year was the hardest year but I was a grown person that could shut down procrastination and use my study time effectively. Nobody can help you change, change always come from within, from believing in yourself and believe that you can achieve your dreams. I always supported that if you can dream about your goals you are half way there.
After my first graduation at Kent, I was stronger and ready to start law school.
I was not confident enough to apply to Oxford yet. Looking back, I should have done it then. This is why believing in yourself is essential in your personal progress. However, my personal life was really problematic to allow me to focus at such a competitive university. Sometimes, you have to leave toxic people behind you and associate yourself with people that will make you a better person. In order to be admitted to the number one university in the whole world, every part of your life has to be in balance, so you can keep your eyes on the price. I submitted my second application via UCAS again and I was offered a study place by all five Universities that I had applied to from which I selected City, University of London. I only decided to go for City because of the location, as I was focusing on getting a really valuable work experience at that point, not so much on the ranking.
The fact that I was a basketball player already helped me to faster adjust in the new environment. It is true that, when you enter a new basketball team you are immediately entering a new family. Losing all that weight during my first degree and turning my academic life around towards the end made me feel unbeatable. In my second degree I was very organised, I had my schedule on point, I knew what needed to be prepared, I had my confidence, I had blocked toxic partners and friends out of life and I was feeling ready for Oxford.
