When I started as a student at Imperial, I was worried that my lack of programming experience would cause my grades to suffer. However, my fears were unfounded, as the excellent course structure combined with weekly tutorials quickly brought me up to speed.

During the third year, I helped to teach new students to program as part of the Department's Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) scheme. This allowed me to spend time explaining the concepts that I found hard to begin with, as well as answering any questions raised by the students. I found this experience very rewarding and got to know some of the first years along the way. College even pay you for this work, which helps combat the London prices when you go out.

As part of the MEng degree, a six month industrial placement is undertaken between the third and fourth years. You can apply to any company, as long as the role is related to the degree, allowing you to choose a really interesting job. I did my placement in the Research and Development division of a processor design company, ARM Limited, in Cambridge. During the placement I applied much of the knowledge I had gained from the first three years of my degree, but also managed to learn a whole lot more which will no doubt help me in my final year.

Outside of academic work, I'm the current chairman of the Real Ale Society. Imperial has the largest number of student societies of all the universities in the UK and the number is constantly increasing. Being part of a society and taking part in events is very rewarding and offers a welcome change to studying.

Once I graduate, I have no idea what I want to do. I can either get a job in the computing industry, get a job with my family or stay on for a PhD. Whichever decision I make, I'm pleased I came to Imperial as my time here has been both enjoyable and beneficial.