Abdulla Al fadhli (Fin’25)

As Abdulla Al fadhli prepares to graduate this December, he’s weighing the possibility of pursuing a master’s degree in London. Whatever path he chooses, he’s confident that his time here has given him more than technical expertise—it’s equipped him with the self-assurance to take on any challenge ahead. He shared some thoughts on his experience at Leeds.

The most unexpected way that college changed me was the way I see myself. Coming in, I felt unsure about a lot of things: my major, my direction and even my confidence. Through difficult courses and new experiences, I learned how to trust my choices and believe in what I’m capable of. That shift in self-confidence became one of the most meaningful parts of my college journey. 

One random moment I’ll remember forever is the day I walked into the wrong classroom, sat down, unpacked everything, and even nodded along like I understood what was going on. Ten minutes in, the professor said, ‘Welcome to Environmental Science,’ and the girl next to me whispered, ‘Aren’t you in finance?’ I grabbed my stuff so fast, and we both tried not to laugh. For the rest of the semester, every time I saw her, she’d give me that same look like 'Wrong class again?’ It still makes me laugh.

Message to my first-year self (sticky-note size): Trust yourself. You’re stronger than you think.

A moment I realized I was growing into myself happened during my upper-division finance courses. I finally felt like I belonged in the field I chose, and the concepts started to click in a way that made me feel capable and excited about the future. That confidence sparked a shift: I stopped doubting myself and started owning my path.

 A shift in self-confidence is one of the most meaningful parts of my college journey. ... I stopped doubting myself and started owning my path.