Lorraine Callaghan
Wellbeing Adviser
Lorraine previously pursued a career in management which encompassed a variety of roles including Training and Communication, Transport and Logistics, Recruitment, Resourcing, Personnel and Compliance.
As a mature student her route into University was through an alternative pathway, namely a General Arts degree from which she progressed to an MA Hons in Classical Studies and English.
" I arrived at St Andrews, as an enthusiastic, but rapidly overwhelmed 49-year-old undergraduate who wanted to get the very best university experience but just didn’t know how.”
Following her graduation in 2019 she completed her MLitt The Book: History and Techniques of Analysis where, like many other students, she faced the challenges of completing her course work and research dissertation during the Covid lockdown. She graduated with her fellow Masters students in a virtual ceremony in December 2020.
Lorraine understands the challenges of juggling 'life' and studies. Still, she believes that the university experience provides every student with an opportunity for both personal and academic growth. Valuable non-academic skills such as self-awareness, wellbeing and resilience are an essential part of our continuous personal and professional development because they allow us to reach our full potential. She believes that a great student experience does not just happen; it is something which evolves through negotiating difficulties and being brave enough to ask for the support to do this.
"Nobody arrives here as the finished article. A good university experience is one in which students make positive connections and learn the life skills that enable them to accept and negotiate challenges. The acquisition of these skills empowers us to continue to grow and thrive beyond the bubble."
As a student, Lorraine played an active part in the Students Association, advocating for lifelong learning students but also collaborating with many other student groups. She was also actively involved in the Ambassador scheme and has worked in Admissions and Student Services in administrative roles.
Lorraine considers the role of Wellbeing Adviser to be an opportunity for her to use her own student experience and life skills to support students to identify their difficulties, find workable solutions, build resilience, and ultimately excel.