LSST: The Place Where I Learned to Believe in Myself Again
By Alina Bors, Student Ambassador and BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation student, LSST Luton
My journey at LSST transformed not only my education, but also my confidence, mindset, and future. As a full-time mother and wife, I once believed there was no time left for me to do anything else. My days revolved around caring for my family, a role I loved deeply, but over time, I lost touch with my own ambitions. I felt anxious, stuck, and unsure of who I was beyond being a mother. The thought of returning to education terrified me. I worried about balancing responsibilities and whether I was still capable of studying after so many years away from school.
Everything changed the day my husband looked at me and said, “Why don’t you apply for a degree. You have my full confidence. I believe in you.” That moment planted a seed of courage I didn’t know I still had. I applied to LSST and when I received my acceptance letter, I cried tears of disbelief and joy. It was a moment I’ll never forget.
From my very first day on campus at LSST Luton, I was filled with excitement and nerves. The friendly atmosphere, approachable lecturers, and supportive classmates quickly made me realise I wasn’t alone. Everyone had a story, and we were all here for one reason – to grow.
At LSST, learning extends far beyond the classroom. The lecturers are like mentors who teach with patience, clarity, and passion. They encourage us to apply theory to real-life situations and to think critically. Through group projects, I have developed invaluable skills in teamwork, leadership, time management, and communication. Working with classmates from different backgrounds taught me how to listen, compromise, and appreciate diverse perspectives, skills that are essential in both professional and personal life.
After completing my first year, I was approached by Ms Elena Magdolna Tifra, our Student Union Coordinator, who encouraged me to apply for the position of Student Ambassador. She explained the responsibilities of the role and sent me the application link. Motivated by her belief in my potential, I decided to apply.
The selection process included an interview (my first formal one in years) and I was nervous. However, I saw it as an opportunity to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone. I focused on communicating my enthusiasm for representing LSST and supporting prospective students, drawing confidence from the presentations I had delivered in class. These experiences have helped me refine my communication skills, enhance my public speaking and express my ideas clearly and professionally.
To my delight, I was selected for the position. Becoming an LSST Student Ambassador filled me with immense pride. It made me feel recognised, valued, and capable, reinforcing my confidence in my communication and interpersonal abilities. This achievement marked an important turning point in my personal and professional journey. It showed me that with self-belief, preparation, and perseverance, I could overcome self-doubt and achieve meaningful goals.
One of my proudest academic moments came during a marketing project as part of my Business Management degree, where our team was tasked with designing a campaign to promote a campus event. I took a leadership role in developing the strategic framework using the 4Ps of Marketing (Product, Price, Place, and Promotion). This model gave our plan clarity and structure, allowing us to apply theory to practice effectively. Who says marketing theory is not practical!
We identified what made our “product” the event distinctive and appealing to students. For “price,” we considered not only monetary cost but also perceived value and accessibility. For “place,” we selected strategic communication channels such as social media, noticeboards, and student newsletters. Finally, our “promotion” strategy focused on visually engaging materials and persuasive messaging to maximise attendance.
To strengthen our campaign, I introduced a SWOT analysis assessing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. This helped us evaluate internal and external factors influencing our success. We identified creativity and collaboration as our strengths, time constraints as a weakness, and recognised opportunities such as high student engagement and potential threats from competing events. This analytical approach led to an organised and successful campaign, significantly boosting student participation.
Beyond this project, the skills I developed, especially in critical thinking and reflective practice, have shaped how I approach challenges academically and professionally. They have taught me that theoretical knowledge becomes truly powerful when applied with purpose.
As a Student Ambassador within LSST Luton’s Marketing Team, I’ve been able to apply these lessons to real-world contexts. I’ve promoted higher education initiatives, supported recruitment campaigns, and communicated LSST’s values of inclusivity, diversity, and empowerment to a wide audience. These experiences have deepened my understanding of how marketing can influence perception, build relationships, and foster community engagement within education.
Each day at LSST reminds me that education is not just about gaining knowledge, it’s about rediscovering yourself. I’ve built lifelong friendships, found mentors who believe in me, and developed a renewed sense of self-belief.
LSST is more than just a higher education establishment; it is a community that nurtures growth, resilience, and transformation. It gave me the courage to dream again and the tools to turn those dreams into reality.
If I could speak to my past self, I would say: Believe in your strengths. Every step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to the person you are meant to be. Don’t let fear hold you back. Once you take that first step, you’ll realise you were capable all along.
Learn more about becoming an LSST Student Ambassador here: https://www.lsst.ac/student-ambassadors/