Michelle Nixon

BSc Psychology

'I moved to London from Australia and had been working as a nanny when I started doing a psychology diploma at Birkbeck. I originally started studying just to keep my brain alive! But this fast-tracked me onto the BSc Psychology. I finished that, and now I'm doing the MSc Gender, Sexuality, Politics and Culture.

'Birkbeck's part-time courses are perfect for me, as there's no way I can afford to study without working. But I also love the fact that Birkbeck has such a good research reputation – this was definitely a factor in me deciding to do my master's degree here.

I'm already thinking about doing a PhD. I just love studying. I feel like I understand so much more of other people's conversations and the news, whereas before I used to glaze over. I never knew I was so smart!'