As Imperial students and their families gathered on the steps of the Royal Albert Hall in all their finery ready for graduation, there was a palpable mix of emotions – relief and pride at making it through, sadness at leaving and excitement for the future.

Today’s ceremonies bring to a close a final memorable year for the graduates, which saw them at the heart of the city as London hosted the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee.

Reporter managed to catch up with some students just before they went in for the ceremony, and asked them what their personal highlights were from 2012 and what advice they would give to the new crop of undergraduates starting in October.

• Ashish Karir, Mathematics
  
  Highlights
  
  “You work around the Royal Albert Hall for three years so it’s quite nice to actually be here, together with everyone you’ve studied with. Having seen a few Commemoration Days it’s quite nice to be part of it.”
  
  Advice
  “Enjoy it, that’s the most important thing you can do when you’re here.  Work is important but you come to university to gain so much more, so many other skills.”

 

• Nathan Ferrol, Mathematics
  
  Highlights
  
  “My highlight has to be the Olympics, I was actually a volunteer at the stadium, so I was really close to the action, and it was a just a great experience being there and seeing everyone cheering.”

 

• Veli Akiner, Physics
  
  Highlights
  “My highlight was crossing an icy road in Finland at 40 miles an hour on a snowmobile without checking if there were cars going across the road.  I took a few days off during term time to see the northern lights. Standing on top of hill in minus 20 degree conditions, looking up, it was surreal.  As a physicist I can explain it, but it’s another thing seeing it.”
  
  Advice
  “It is what you make of it. I almost left Imperial in my first year but I found my place; I found the things I enjoyed and I look back and it’s been the best four years of my life.”

 

• Orla McMahon, Biomedical Sciences
  
  Highlights
  “My highlight was getting a job really; I was so worried about having to go home and live with my parents after finishing university, but I got a job and I’m really happy to be graduating here now ‒ a positive future ahead hopefully!”

 

• Connie Ng, Mathematics
  
  Highlights
  “I worked very hard and now I’ve got my degree I’m so happy. I’m going on to study Law, which after Mathematics is a significant change but I’m looking forward to it.’ 

 

• Kurren Nischal, Mathematics
  
  Advice
  “I would say as soon as you start university in Welcome Week speak to as many people as you can ‒  in your own year group and in other years as well. ‒  Get out and start making friends from the beginning.”