STUDENTS from QMC overcame a battle with cancer and a broken leg to achieve the grades they need for university.
Matt Pearce was diagnosed with a spinal tumour in the summer between his first and second year at Queen Mary's College.
He told the Gazette: "I had a pretty weird second year. I found out in the summer holidays between the first and second year that I had a spinal tumour.
"I had an operation to remove it, missed the first months of the second year, and it was hard to catch up but I have caught up now so that's all that matters."
Matt Pearce, who studied history, graphic design and philosophy, missed an entire term after he was diagnosed with the spinal tumour.
"It was tough, catching up on all that learning, you know it's difficult if you miss a day of A Levels let alone a few months.
Matt spoke of how he was given the option to put his studies on hold while he recovered but decided against it.
"I had to re-learn to walk and was told I could defer my studies, but I said 'If I'm just laying in bed, I might as well study'."
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When results day came around, Matt admitted he was nervous about his grades.
"It was anxious waiting, but I'm just glad it paid off.
"I really am relieved."
Matt received a B in philosophy, a B in history and a C in graphic design, meaning he was able to get a place on the university course he desired.
He will go to Royal Holloway to study philosophy and politics, and he hopes to become a teacher.
"The goal for me at the minute is teaching, I want to start teacher training, and then teaching."
Helen Nash also studied at QMC, and after completing her maths paper, she found herself in a predicament.
She told the Gazette: "I came out of my first maths paper, fell down the stairs and broke my ankle."
Despite this, Helen's main concern was the fact she had an exam the next day.
"All I could think was 'I've got a biology exam tomorrow, how am I going to get to my exam?'
"I must have been the most insufferable patient ever because I would not shut up about my exam the next day, but I survived and I'm so exhilarated."
Despite this setback, she achieved an A in maths, an A in biology, a B in chemistry and a D in music.
She will now go on to study veterinary medicine at the University of Liverpool.
"I got the results I wanted and a bit better and now I can go to the University I want to go to."
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