cozy catie

 I finished my first undergraduate degree in zoology in Summer 2020, right in the middle of the first coronavirus lockdown, and then immediately began my PGCE in secondary biology. Teaching didn't work out for me, and I've had a couple of jobs in between then, and now work at a university doing admin work. When teaching didn't work out, I wasn't sure what to do. I loved teaching and education, but hated the school system. I missed studying, but didn't want to pursue zoology further. I started to think about my education history and where I wanted to go.  I'd initially started a physics degree in 2015, but changed to zoology after a year. My mental health was the worst it had ever been, and I'd missed too much to pass first year. I felt embarrassed, and afraid to tell my parents I'd have to resit the year, so I changed course instead. I chose zoology on a whim, and whilst it was really interesting, I just kind of always knew it wasn't for me in the lo...

Deciding to go to university is always in part a financial decision, but starting a university (or any level of education) course a bit later in life can be even more difficult. Once you have more financial responsibility, such as having dependents (like children), rent or a mortgage and bills to pay, it's not always easy to find a way to make studying work.  I struggled to make ends meet whilst studying for my first degree. I was technically an estranged student, but with no real "proof", so I wasn't entitled to any further support. At one point I had three jobs, and I missed most of my lectures because I had to go to work. I didn't enjoy university, and a huge part of this was the constant worrying about finances. I still managed to graduate, but the subject wasn't right for me, and after rediscovering my love for space and finding out about the Open University (OU), I signed up to their Combined STEM programme. I work full-time at a university, with two wor...