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Nicola will graduate despite losing her beloved dad, Eugene, on 2 May this year after he spent three weeks in ICU fighting COVID-19. Nicola says: ¡°Dad passed away the day after my exams started.  I think the hardest part of it all was being stuck at home. The restrictions meant that it was almost cruel that we couldn¡¯t visit him. Even though he was surrounded by medical staff, the thought of him dying in hospital without us was absolutely heartbreaking.

¡°He was so healthy, and it came so unexpected how severe COVID-19 had affected him, while I had such mild symptoms. I was in two minds of whether to do my exams or not, but in the end, I decided to do them for him, I know he would have wanted me to after all of the work I had put in, especially in final year.¡±

Remembering her dad, Nicola says: ¡°My dad was quiet, like me, until you got to know him.  He had the biggest heart. We were extremely close. Since no age, I was always his little shadow that followed him everywhere. He came from a huge family and he really was the heart of it all. He made everyone feel so welcome when they came to our house.¡±

Despite the past few difficult months, Nicola found strength and support from her friends and fellow students from the School of Pharmacy.  Speaking about her time at ²Ï³Ü±ð±ð²Ô¡¯²õ, Nicola comments: ¡°I really enjoyed my time at ²Ï³Ü±ð±ð²Ô¡¯²õ. One of my highlights is definitely meeting all of the amazing people I have encountered along the way. My whole year group encourages and supports each other, something I felt really grateful for, especially during exam time when my dad passed away.¡±

Following her graduation, Nicola plans to begin her pre-registration year in a few weeks in a community pharmacy, with the aim of becoming a registered pharmacist next year. She is looking forward to celebrating properly with her peers when the pandemic has eased. She continues: ¡°I don¡¯t think any of the 2020 graduates could have ever imagined that the year we would be graduating this would be happening in the world. I definitely had never imagined a scenario where I¡¯d be graduating without my dad by my side that¡¯s for sure.

¡°My dad, along with my mum have always been my biggest supporters no matter what I was doing. He was incredibly proud that I was pursuing a career in Pharmacy, and he encouraged me every single step of the way. He gave the best advice.  I always trusted his opinion the most and he was always honest whether I liked it or not.  I know he will be very proud of me today.¡±

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