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Amanda Hughes

BSc (Hons) Geology with Geography

amanda hughes

My proudest moment was winning a National Student Award from the Institute of Quarrying. It made all the hard work – 40 days identifying rocks in the wind and rain of the Lake District – worthwhile.

When I was young, the house was always full of rock samples and microscopes. My dad studied Geology, and I was fascinated by these strange-looking stones. I was constantly bothering him to let me look at them, and in the end he had to hide them from me. They made me wonder about how the world around me worked and kick-started a passion for volcanoes that I still have today.

I’ve been to Ireland, the Lake District, the Outer Hebrides and I’ve even walked through lava tubes in Tenerife. Field trips are a brilliant way to put what you learn in lectures into practice. They’re also great fun.

My favourite field trip was Ullapool in the second year. We practised geological mapping techniques. It was hard work – but great to learn new skills that I went on to use in my final year dissertation.

My proudest moment was winning a National Student Award from the Institute of Quarrying. There were only ten winners from across the UK so it was a big achievement. I was nominated by my Personal Tutor for my passion for geology and potential to have a successful career in the industry. It made all the hard work – 40 days identifying rocks in the wind and rain of the Lake District – worthwhile.

I thought I couldn’t love geology any more than I did. But I’ve learned so much at Edge Hill, all the lecturers are amazing, and I’m incredibly grateful. I’ve learnt what area of geology I’m really interested in and that I want a career in volcanology.

I’ve also discovered that I’m far more capable than I thought. I’m now studying for a Masters in Volcanology and hoping to go on to a PhD.

The best thing is, I now have a living room full of rock samples that are just for me.