XCEL STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2009
Fizza Ilyas
Bradford University
BSc Business and Management
WINNER OF
Xcel Business & Commerce Student of the Year
Xcel Business & Commerce Student of the Year award
This award is the latest of Fizza’s achievements; having previously been a Member of the Youth Parliament when she organised a skate-park as well as a peace walk. A Student Advocate since her first year at university, Fizza has also been a classroom educator in summer ‘Space Camps’, worked with children excluded from school and received an Active Citizen Award.
Fizza said: “I feel extremely honoured and grateful to have received this prestigious award. It came as a welcome surprise in 2010 and I would like to thank my personal tutor Sally Burrows as well as all the other staff at University of Bradford School of Management who are brilliant. I would also like to thank my family and friends for all the support they have given me. It really would not have been possible without them.
“Most importantly though for me, it feels amazing to know that someone else has recognised my achievements and felt that I was commendable. After many years of illness and hardship, when I returned to University in 2008 I had lost some of my self-confidence and direction. I also felt pessimistic and did not think I’d be able to succeed. However, I was committed to finishing my degree however hard it was going to be. I tried my best and preserved and it paid off when I got my exam results.
Winning this award had re-instilled my self-confidence and beliefs. I believe that you can achieve anything as long as you work hard, stay committed and overcome the challenges you face. I am determined to try my best and giving 100% to everything I do. "
“After finishing my degree this year, I am hoping to do a PGCE in Business Education and I look forward to bringing my excitement, enthusiasm and experience into the classroom and inspiring other students to excel.
“There is a lot of pressure on students nowadays to do well academically as there is a lot of competition for courses/jobs and this can actually impair student performance by causing excessive stress. My approach is to attempt every exam/coursework with the “ I have nothing to lose” frame of mind and to not worry about the consequences of my results on the future. By doing this, I relieve myself of undue stress and am able to focus on my studies.
“It is also very important to choose subjects/modules you enjoy and are passionate about. If you enjoy it you’re likely to succeed in it.”
What is so impressive about Fizza is that she makes the same commitment to all that she does, not just her academic pursuits.”
Andre Dixon, Xcel Awards Manager.
