Coming from a family background of bankers and accountants sparked Angelika's interest in pursuing a career in business and accounting
FCJ Secondary School, Bunclody, Co Wexford past pupil Angelika Batko is a third year Bachelor of Business (Hons) (Common Entry) student.
About me:
I have chosen Accounting as my specialization stream for my final two years. I would like to see myself as a driven individual, who enjoys being challenged in all aspects of life. I am a firm believer that one has to step out of their comfort zone in order to learn and grow, hence you might see why I chose to pursue this particular course.
What attracted you to study at Waterford Institute of Technology?
There have been many factors that influenced my decision to study at WIT. The first thing which initially attracted me, was the huge choice of courses that the institute has to offer, followed by my particular liking of the college campus. Another deciding factor for me was my familiarity with Waterford City.
Moving out of your hometown for college can be daunting for some students, hence why knowing the city relatively well prior to my move had helped me hugely in settling in. The final factor which attracted me to study in Waterford was how everything is a walking distance away. There is little need to take buses as everything a student needs is within close proximity, which is especially convenient for all those who don't yet drive.
Did you always know this was the course you wanted to do?
I have always had an idea that I wanted to pursue a business related career. Coming from a family background of bankers and accountants, I have been surrounded by the business environment since a young age, which is ultimately what sparked my interest in pursuing a career in business and accounting.
What words of advice do you have for new students?
My most important piece of advice would be to attend all your lectures. This seems like a really obvious piece of advice, however, it's easy to find your lecture notes and assignments on Moodle, but more times than not, lecturers will provide you with vital information relating to your modules that you will not find online. Attending your lectures will give you a greater chance at understanding and succeeding in your modules, than only relying on online notes.
It is also really important to find a balance between your college life and social life. I believe that the ultimate college experience is not complete without either of these aspects, however it is vital to set your priorities straight when you enter this next chapter of your life. Remember: It is possible to achieve good results and also enjoy your social life at the same time. It's all about balance!
What have been the highlights of your college experience?
The past two years that I have completed in WIT have been filled with countless amazing experiences. One of the biggest highlights for me looking back has to be forming many new, great friendships, which I know will last for years after I graduate in my final year. I have made friendships for life here, which I am incredibly grateful for.
Another highlight for me was joining the Peer to Peer Mentoring Programme in my second year, as it really helped me step out of my comfort zone becoming a leader to an assigned group of first year students. With previously struggling with my leadership skills, the programme made me develop more confidence in this area.
As funny as it may sound, looking back on the past two years, I will consider all my previous college assignments as highlights of my college experience. More times than not, these assignments were completed in the company of my classmates, which would often consist of late nights in the library, a lot of mutual stress and jokes about not understanding the actual assignment to cope with the stress, while also trying to help each other out in any way we could.
At the time, sure, it may have felt like the worst thing in the world. However, now, in a time where you can't even access the college grounds, isolated from your friends and classmates, it makes me reminisce about all those late library nights and it might just be one of the things I miss the most about my college experience in WIT.
What did you like about Waterford as a city to live in/to study in?
As I previously mentioned, I was quite familiar with Waterford City before I decided to study here, which made moving here a lot easier, as I had a good idea regarding where everything was located. I believe Waterford is the perfect city to study in. All attractions and facilities are within a close proximity to each other. I found that most places here are a walking distance away, which is especially convenient for students who have yet to get their drivers' licence.
It is difficult to be bored in Waterford. I find there are many scenic places here, such as People's Park, or the Waterford Greenway, and Tramore beach is only a short bus journey away. The majority of shopping outlets are situated directly in the city centre, along with services such as hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons, restaurants cafes and nightclubs, of course.
How did Peer2Peer Mentoring and awards add to your college experience?
I have joined the Peer to Peer Programme in my second year of college. I was unsure about it at first, as I never pictured myself as a leader prior to this. It was something I have never done before. I did, however, proceed with my decision to join the programme, as I truly wanted to develop my leadership skills, and this was the perfect opportunity. Needless to say, I was extremely glad that I signed up for this mentor role. It made me step out of my comfort zone becoming a leader to an assigned group of first year students.
By having to conduct campus tours and numerous meetings with my first year group, I was put in the spot of a team leader, and despite being completely out of my comfort zone, it helped me massively in developing my leadership and also teamwork skills.
During my time in WIT, I have been honoured to receive the Dean's List Award for the past two consecutive years. The Dean's List Award is presented to the top 5% of high achieving students in the Institute's School of Business. I see this award as a fantastic achievement, and I am proud to study in an Institute which recognises the hard work of its students.
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
