When I started at Sheffield Girls’ Sixth Form, doing an EPQ was something I was really interested in. I have older sisters who also did the EPQ and through hearing their experiences of their chosen topics, I knew I wanted to complete my own EPQ. Their projects gave them a lot of insight into topics that were outside of the school curriculum, giving them unique talking points on their UCAS personal statements and university applications.

I am applying to study Medicine so I decided to undertake an essay-based project exploring procurement in the medical sector. My title was “To what extent can traditional single-use plastics be replaced with sustainable alternative materials in UK hospitals?”

After lengthy work experience in both ENT clinics and veterinary practice, as well as regularly visiting my grandad in hospital, I developed an interest in the excessive usage of traditional single-use plastics in clinical practice. From observing the repetitive usage of items such as plastic gloves, aprons, face masks and plastic packaging, I began to question the necessity of traditional single-use plastics and why they are used on such a large scale. I want to research the infection control and financial benefits of traditional plastics versus alternative materials such as biodegradable plastics and paper-injection moulding.

From completing my EPQ, I have developed a range of skills that will undoubtedly be useful in the future. Firstly, from completing such a large-scale project, my project management skills have developed. I learnt to balance my time researching, writing and filling in the Project Q sections with school and extracurricular activities. To help me keep on top of my tasks I wrote to do lists, which were in order of importance and urgency. 

Secondly, I learnt how to efficiently skim read when researching and reviewing new sources. This helped me quickly critically evaluate whether they are reliable and relevant to my EPQ, and therefore worth using. 

Thirdly, I learnt how to reference using footnotes, on Google docs. This ensures I credit the sources I use to allow the readers to find the information themselves, whilst avoiding plagiarism. This is a very valuable skill and is sure to be transferable to future life and university. 

And finally, throughout my EPQ I have strengthened my evaluative skills. This skill was significantly improved when writing my evaluation and conclusion, as I had to look at multiple viewpoints and factors to determine the suitability of the materials in UK hospitals.

There are a few pieces of advice I would give to others who are undertaking a similar project. Most importantly, I would stress the importance of choosing a topic that you are interested in. This is significant to keep you motivated throughout your project, to conduct research and see your project through to the end. For these reasons, your end product is also likely to be of a higher standard. Next, I would suggest starting research early on, around christmas time. I would advise the earlier the better, because the more time you have to research, the greater detail you can go into and the less time you have to spend researching during the writing. Finally, I would recommend referencing as you write your project. This would be a lot less time consuming, as you won’t have to go back at the end and find which source related to each piece of information.

I am very proud that I have completed my EPQ and grateful for the skills I have gained. This project has stretched my abilities to critically evaluate sources and my writing, prioritise and organise tasks, be more self critical of my own work and take ownership in a project. Throughout the EPQ, I did have guidance from my supervisor in the form of taught lessons and one-to-one meetings, but because there is a limit to the help she can give, I learnt how to self-manage my project too. I am pleased to have gained this level of ownership in my work, as this will set me up for university and my future career.