Access to Higher Education Success Stories
REAL results, REAL success stories
Zoe Holloway
Level 2 Progression Diploma
Stepping back into a classroom in her 30s was a nerve-wracking prospect for mature student Zoe but she soon realised it was the best decision of her life.
“I didn’t have the education I needed when I was younger, but it came to a point when I no longer wanted to be without a career and prospects. I decided it was time to change my life and use my brain. I really want to be a midwife, but without any GCSEs that would be impossible. That’s why I enrolled on to the Progression Diploma which would give me the equivalent of at least five GCSEs and the ability to progress on to the Access to Higher Education programme and then on to university."
“Overcoming my fear of Maths was probably my biggest obstacle. Like so many others I didn’t pass it at school, but the teachers at the College are great and I now have a new understanding for the subject. It no longer scares me."
“I also have a sense of pride and achievement that I never thought would be possible. Before coming to college I thought I’d struggle to keep up and that my age would be a negative factor. I was really nervous, but I needn’t have been. I have done really well and have benefited from being in a fantastic class, full of students who all support each other. If anyone starts to doubt themselves we all rally round and help. I hope I’ll never doubt myself again.”
Zoe wants to progress on to study nursing or midwifery at university and is keen to build up some work experience along the way.
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June Randall
Access to Higher Education
Returning to study as a mature student was a daunting prospect for June, especially with her reliance on cumbersome crutches. However with determination she completed the Access to Higher Education programme and has since progressed on to university.
“I signed up to the course shortly after I medically retired from my job as a Royal Mail manager. When doctors eventually diagnosed me as having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, I was warned it could take up to nine years to get well again but I was inspired to carry on studying. Some days I was in excruciating pain, but I never let it stop me. I managed to get top grades in all my lessons and, with help from my college tutor, I gained a place at The University of Northampton to study for a BSC in Psychology.
“Learning has changed my life and brought me so many new friends. My daughter, who is now at Northampton College herself studying fashion, is really proud of me. I am still in a lot of pain, but learning has given me something to focus on. When I was medically retired it nearly destroyed me, but I look back and feel grateful now. Without retirement I would never have gone on to Northampton College.”
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Angela Daniels
Returning to study in her forties was a daunting prospect, but with three grown up children, five grandchildren and a life-long ambition to become a social worker, Angela was determined not to let ‘life pass by’.
‘It took a lot of guts to return to education especially as I’d always struggled at school. I was never very good at theory, reading and writing and much preferred practical things like DIY and mechanics. I ended up leaving when I was 16 without any qualifications and I guess you could say it’s something I have always regretted.’
After school Angela became a nanny before getting a job as a factory operative. ‘Like lots of mums my children grew up and I started wanting to make a career for myself. Social work has always been a dream of mine so the Access course was perfect as I could take a relevant pathway and progress onto more advanced qualifications. The course is aimed at adults like me so the tutors made me feel instantly welcome. I started learning skills that would help me progress onto work or university.’
Early into the programme Angela was diagnosed with dyslexia. ‘It was my tutor who picked it up at first then a test confirmed I had dyslexia. Suddenly I realised why reading and writing had always been difficult. It was actually a relief to have a proper diagnosis but at the same time it was a little devistating as I felt I’d missed out on things in the past. The Additional Support service at college is amazing. They helped me find new ways of learning and I started enjoying theory and written assignments.’
Angela is now applying for jobs working with people who have learning difficulties or are mentally impaired. ‘I am waiting to hear back from the University of Northampton too, about a place on a degree course which would be unbelievable. I know I took the first step enrolling, but if it wasn’t for my positive experience at college I wouldn’t be where I am now.’
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Laura Lovejoy-Carter
Laura was daunted by the thought of returning to study in her thirties but knew it was the only way she could achieve her long-term goal of teaching children with disabilities.
Working in a challenging part-time job and looking after her own four children, Laura thrived on the course, learning how to apply herself and gaining confidence. She has since progressed onto a degree at the University of Northampton.
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Patricia Devine
When Patricia left school at the age of 15 without any qualifications she thought she would never return to study. It wasn’t until she was in her thirties that she decided she wanted a career in social work, enrolling onto the Level 2 Progression course as a route onto the Access programme and eventually university.
Patricia soon settled into the learning environment and her next step is the Access to Social Work course at the College.