History is pivotal in helping understand today's society by learning from the past. Visiting historic sites like those of the National Trust, Rome, Pompeii, and Herculaneum deepened the author's passion for history by providing first-hand experiences outside of school curriculum. Higher education will allow exploring new areas of history to expand understanding as a historian. Studying ancient history, politics, media, and biology at A-level developed skills like time management, research, essay writing, and data analysis to improve the future.