糖心原创

Headshot of Nana

Nana Ama Entsie, 2nd year BSc Economics and International Economics student.  

My Economic Analysis development with the NAA  

My entire life I have focused solely on academics. I believed that it was the key determinant to success. However, moving to the United Kingdom was a turning point. I realised that while my mates had a plethora of experience, I didn’t have much to offer beyond my academic achievements. I resolved to change that reality, and the Nottingham Advantage Award facilitated my success. 

Choosing my modules 

I have taken several courses on the NAA such as the Peer Mentoring Scheme and the Consultancy Challenge. However, this blog focuses on the Economics Analysis with Excel Module. My interest in this module stemmed from the realisation that my Excel skills were subpar. As someone who is very interested in climbing up the corporate ladder, I knew that having Excel as a skill would be highly beneficial. I believed that it would increase my prospects for an internship or a graduate role in the future. Thus, I was highly motivated to partake in the module. 

Economic Analysis with Excel  

Overall, the experience was both challenging and rewarding. The module was convened by Ben Tatlow who was very thorough in his explanation of the course material. The module lasted 5 weeks, with sessions held every Wednesday. One topic I remember vividly was the use of VBA in Microsoft Excel.  

I enjoyed the course because we worked with real data, using variables such as unemployment and inflation which I had encountered in other modules such as Macro-Economics. I was able to apply the knowledge I had gained from other modules which made the learning process more intuitive. To pass the NAA Module we were required to work in groups, download data from FRED Data and use the VBA code we had learnt to manipulate the data. We were required to present our findings to pass the module.  

Managing my schedule 

Initially the course felt overwhelming. Balancing this module alongside lectures, coursework, and presentations was challenging. There were moments where I genuinely questioned how I would manage everything. However, I quickly realised that structure and discipline were essential in achieving success. After each session stayed organized by reviewing and consolidating my notes . I also ensured that I avoided procrastination in every other module by setting personal deadlines. A few of my friends were enrolled on the module as well, so we acted as accountability partners, ensuring we stayed on track and met our goals. 

On the day I was presenting and submitting my Excel coursework, I also had to present my coursework for my development module. However, because I had done all my work in advance, I was able to juggle both presentations seamlessly. 

The Economics Analysis with Excel Module honed my critical, analytical and presentation skills. I would highly recommend this module to individuals who want to increase their proficiency in Excel.  

Advice to students considering the NAA 

My advice to students considering the NAA is to critically assess the modules available. There are a wide range of modules available suited to different  interests and career aspirations. Be sure to choose something that is relevant to your future or something that you have a genuine interest in. This will make it easier to stay committed.  

The NAA is an excellent platform to build on your skills and partake in some amazing extracurricular activities!

If you're looking to develop new skills, gain valuable experience and enhance your employability, explore the opportunities available through the Nottingham Advantage Award.