Taking The Leap Back into Education with Access to HE Social Science Adult Learner, Kylie Shaw

High school was a challenge for me and I moved high school 3 times in a year. I enjoyed Health and Social Care an through this subject, I found my passion for psychology.

I have had various jobs in the past but nothing that I felt rewarding or that I wanted to do as a long term career.

I chose the Access course to help me to get to university to study Psychology. I don’t have the qualifications as it stands so this course is helping me to develop the skills I need for university hopefully in September. I wanted to challenge myself and actually prove that people with complex mental health issues like me can have professional careers. The course is also helping me personally to analyse my personal issues and how far I have come.

You wouldn’t believe how much this course has changed my life already. Getting accepted onto the course has made me focus on what I want and has definitely helped me to grow in confidence. I have also developed various life skills. The team are also helping me with my official dyslexia diagnosis which will be beneficial for my life, university studies and my career in psychology.

I was so nervous and thought to myself - what am I doing here? I couldn't get my lanyard to swipe and I was so nervous! However, I soon found out that everyone was lovely and I've found my feet quickly.

Our class is really diverse and has adult learners from every walk of life, background and culture. We share life and work experiences which helps with study examples and thinking about different situations. We bounce off each other which is a brilliant way to learn. I personally prefer smaller class sizes as the large class sizes of 30-35 in high school was something I struggled with massively.

Being supported on occasions with personal issues has been a big deal for me. I can go to my lecturer and have a chat about things away from college and they help me to take things step by step to overcome challenges in my life.

Referencing has been a big challenge for me and this is something I am getting to grips with. This will give me a head start at university for sure. Maths and the topic of Marxism have also really tested me. I am doing my GCSE Maths alongside the Access course which is hard for me but it’s something I really need to pass.

Getting onto the course and knowing that every assignment I pass is taking me one step closer to university and my dream career of becoming a Clinical Psychologist.

Referencing, time management, maths skills and report writing on the biggest things for me.

I have conditional offers for University of Keele and University of Staffordshire to study Psychology.

My future career goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist to help other people. I have struggled in the past so this is something that will help me personally.

The course is challenging but it needs to be to help you to study at the level you need to be at so don’t be put off by that. Make sure this is the Access pathway you need for your chosen degree and career and pop along to an open event or drop in event to get advice from the teaching team. Go on the college website and see if you can access an Advanced Learner Loan too.