'I felt that my working life was lacking something'

Name: Sara Peck

Age: 37

Qualification: BSc/BA in English Language and English Literature

Route: Access to Higher Education course

Profile: One son, aged 10

I am a 37-year-old mum currently studying English at the University of Gloucestershire. I am just about to enter my second year of study and can't wait to get back into the swing of things again!

I left school at 18 having done my A levels, but unfortunately, as is often the way, I did not do as well at school as I should have. I was distracted by my social life and dare I say it....boys! This did not worry me unduly as I did not want to go on to further education at this point. I wanted to earn some money.

After a couple of short term jobs I settled in to working at a local insurance company in their claims department. This was a job I enjoyed and I progressed up the ladder to a senior technical position within the department. During the time I worked for them my son, now aged 10, was born and the company were always very supportive of me as a mum. I am a single parent and so had to juggle my hours on occasion and they did all they could to help me.

I had no reason to be unhappy there but something niggled away at me for a period of about a year. I wanted to do more with my life. My son has ADHD and as such faces a challenging time at school. I spent a lot of time in the school as a voluntary helper but also tackling any issues that arose because of his condition. The more time I spent there the more I began to think. I felt that I could become involved in the education system and perhaps I could teach: it felt like the right thing for me to do. This seemed an almighty task and I didn't know where to start. By chance I learned of an Access to Higher Education course which was run by my local college. I applied for some information, went to an open day and put in my application for a place. I got it!

A few months later, having worked my notice, I said goodbye to my job and started college. This was an enormous step for me... I was worried about fitting in, whether I still had a brain that worked, if I could afford to live on benefits as I was no longer earning. All my worries proved to be for nothing. Although it was hard work I thrived in the environment, found I loved studying and got great marks! I met other adults who also wanted to return to education - they wanted to be nurses, teachers, midwives and lawyers! I made friends I will keep for life and a support network which sustained me through the hard times.

During this year of study I applied to university. This was done via the UCAS website and the college guided students through the process. The application itself was straightforward but the personal statement was a challenge. I wanted to come across well and give a good impression of myself without sounding over confident. Once the online forms were complete a tutor from the college wrote a reference to support the application and it was on its way! A nervous wait ensued but soon I got confirmation that the universities I had applied to had offered me a place subject to me passing the Access course! Motivated, I continued to work hard and I passed....PHEW!

So, off to university. The old nerves returned but having done it once it didn't seem like such a big deal. My only concern was I would be the only 'oldie' but what the heck I could handle it! From the minute I walked through the gates I loved it. The other students are great (and a few are 'mature' too!), the staff are supportive and helpful and the work is interesting and varied. My first year flew by and I'm now in my second year. I can't wait! By staying in touch with the tutors from my college I have also been able to secure some work experience - assisting and teaching on the Access course. So it looks like a busy year ahead but I couldn't be happier. It's never too late to try something new!