English literate graduate offering inspiration and analytical advice to help students through GCSEs and beyond

As her tutor, I had the pleasure of teaching Harriet during her final year at Edinburgh. Harriet more than held her own in her talented cohort, and acquitted herself very well indeed in class. In my seminars she proved herself a highly intelligent, highly motivated student, capable of fulfilling all the tasks required of her with aplomb, and equipped also with the maturity and wit to take the initiative when necessary. Her critical analyses and interventions were a crucial part of the class’s intellectual development, and something on which I came happily to rely. This very valuable participation in class discussions was characterised by an ability to respond effectively to the contributions of others as much as by her own ability to articulate her own insights.

Her written work for my class was engaged, lively and properly organised, showing clear evidence of a capacity to articulate an argument in often intriguing, forceful and compelling fashion. She showed considerable initiative in developing the intellectual positions and arguments that she had fashioned in her preparation and in class into an impressive course essay, and followed this up with an excellent final assessment too. This was part of an overall performance which saw her achieve an entirely merited First Class Honours MA.

I have been consistently impressed by Harriet's willingness and capacity to test herself in new contexts and in the face of new demands. All these qualities are combined with an open and friendly disposition, a self-confidence which is hard-won, justified, but in no way hubristic, and the very evident commitment to achieving whatever goals she sets herself.