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As graduation is just around the corner, we’re excited to celebrate the extraordinary students who make up the latest cohort. Our Meet our 2025 Graduates series will highlight a few outstanding graduates. From groundbreaking research and community impact to creative achievements and personal triumphs – we hope you’ll join us in honouring their accomplishments.

Graduating from BA (Hons) History on Tuesday 29 July, Sadie White shares how her passion for history developed, and what she is most looking forward to about graduation.

What is it that interests you the most about history? 

I have always had a passion for history. Since I started learning about it in school, it has always been my favourite subject. My family probably also fostered my passion with many trips to English heritage sites when I was younger. 

I think what interests me about history is how many people disregard it as something that’s happened in the past; however, it is not as simple as this. Not only does history constantly affect the present day, but we are constantly learning more about past events. With new perspectives and methodologies, history can never stay the same. 

Something else that history has always taught me is to question everything. Although this may sound cynical, it’s a skill I appreciate, as history is often riddled with stereotypes or prejudices. As a historian, it is important to look beyond these things and always think for yourself. If we want the present to be different from the past, we have to study it!

What was most important to you when you chose to study at the ��������?

I knew I would study history at university; it’s always been my passion. However, I struggled at first when choosing where to go. I visited �������� for an Open Day, explored the campus and talked to lecturers. The open day pretty much sold me on ��������; the beach was a huge plus for me, and the city felt lively. 

One particular thing I liked was that the course had a smaller cohort. This has helped me along my university journey, as I feel I had great relationships with my peers and lecturers on the course. Also, as history is such a huge subject, I liked that the course ranged from early modern to modern history (medieval and ancient history have never really been my thing!)

What are your favourite memories of studying here?

My favourite year of the course has definitely been third year. I particularly loved the module, ‘The Making of the German Nation’. I also loved carrying out my dissertation and the meetings I had with my supervisor Dr Katy Gibbons. Initially, the thought of a dissertation was daunting, but the work and research that went into it was something I ultimately loved. 

Another highlight has been creating ‘Community in War-scarred ��������’ - a history project. We had the pleasure of working with Liberation Routes for Europe, an international organisation dedicated to World War Two history. �������� is rich with this, although a lot of this is often focused on D-Day or naval history. Instead, we wanted to shed light on the effect that the War had on local people. We wanted to include more personal stories and show how the community banded together throughout the war years. 

Social history has always interested me more than the broader military history. The research we completed for this used a combination of local archival material and material from the national archive. Something else I loved about creating the tour was that it showed how history can be interactive and relevant to our everyday lives. The experience I gained from this project is something I will cherish.

Outside the course, one of my favourite memories has been being part of the Boxing society. The Heart of �������� Boxing Academy became one of my favourite places to train in the last year! It has also definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone! 

I have also treasured walks along the beach or days on the Southsea Common with my friends. �������� has offered me so many great memories, and the history course has given me a lasting perspective and way of thinking that I am grateful for.

What are your plans after you finish your degree? 

Travelling is something I’ve always wanted to do, so this summer I’m starting with some inter-railing throughout Europe. I’m visiting some of the places I’ve learnt about throughout my degree, such as Florence, “the birthplace of the Renaissance”. 

In September, I’ll be starting my teacher training journey. Since I was in secondary school, it’s always been my dream to one day teach history. Completing an ‘Introduction to Teaching’ module in my second year fostered these ambitions, alongside volunteering in a local school helping children with their reading. I am both excited and nervous for my next step; it is bittersweet to be leaving my studies behind. I hope to one day complete a Master's, but for now, I look forward to my teaching adventure.
 

What are you most looking forward to about graduation?

I am looking forward to celebrating my achievements with my friends and the amazing lecturers who helped me throughout university. Having a day to stop and appreciate everything I have accomplished over the last three years is exciting. Most importantly, I am looking forward to celebrating alongside the wonderful friends I made on the course who always supported each other with essays, library sessions and group work, so I can’t wait to celebrate with them. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to your first-year self?

Not to worry so much! I’ve always put a lot of pressure on myself to do well, and coming to university, I didn’t know what to expect. I worried a lot about grades and assignments, writing a dissertation and tackling new things. It’s important to remember that you often tackle these things without even realising, and you are more resilient than you think. Stopping to take a moment to look at what I’ve achieved and overcome since taking on my degree is always surprising to me. Looking back, I don’t know what I was so worried about! 

My advice to others would be to look forward to the changes and challenges along your university journey. They are things that shape you and your experience. Just enjoy it while you can, as it will definitely fly by!