Student Profiles: Background

Jenny left school at 17, with 1 A level, to train initially as a riding instructor. After working in stables in South Africa and America, she returned to the UK but found it difficult to progress higher in the field of equine management despite gaining an Advanced National Certificate in Equine Business Management. Jenny decided to change career and moved into the sports retail sector, rising to store manager, until she left in 1992 shortly before the birth of her first child.

After her third child Jenny realised that in the long term she wanted to get back into employment. With her experience as a riding instructor and involvement in providing lessons at the local pre-school, Jenny was attracted to the idea of teaching but was unclear how she could proceed.

The Teacher Training Agency offered useful information about the type of degree Jenny would need to undertake but, after contacting a few higher/further education establishments, Jenny knew that her lack of A level qualifications was a barrier. “I felt I was being put-off and that I should simply give up the idea of becoming a teacher.”

Fortunately, Jenny didn’t give up and, on the advice of a friend, contacted the “Access to Higher Education” programme at Evesham College. “They were supportive and positive, explaining clearly the route I needed to take to qualify for a degree course. Just as important, they made sure I understood and could cope with the challenges of studying again.”

The Courses

Jenny enrolled for a 2 year Access programme at Evesham, taking study modules in English, History and Environmental Studies. Of major benefit was the compulsory Study Skills module, comprising a range of topics including research skills, personal organisation, IT, Maths and communication.

In 2003 Jenny was accepted as a part-time student in English and Cultural Studies at Warwick University. Jenny chose Warwick because, despite feeling “very old” at the initial open day, standing amongst several hundred teenagers, she was impressed with the overall atmosphere. She was also impressed with the role the University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning played in providing practical support and encouragement to mature applicants and students.

The Challenges

• With 3 children around it’s been difficult to combine family life with study, despite doing the degree part-time. Jenny has coped by planning study time during school hours where possible or later in the evening. In the week when an essay is due she accepts she has to put up “with some very late nights!”
• At times the amount of reading required is overwhelming. Now in her third year Jenny has come to terms with the fact that she won’t get time to reading everything thoroughly on the recommended reading list. As part of her studying Jenny has a reading plan that ensures she covers what’s absolutely necessary for weekly seminars, for example, alongside research for imminent essays. Jenny also advises against buying everything on the reading list – most things are available in the library or can be bought on a second-hand basis.
• Learning to structure an essay logically, whilst developing the arguments to the right level has been a real challenge. Jenny’s study skills module at Evesham gave her a good basis and she also uses a study “coach” occasionally to cast a critical eye over her written work.

The Benefits

• Without doubt the positive impact that studying has had on her self-esteem and confidence, and the pleasure of acquiring and applying knowledge gained from each study module.