“I love learning now – I hated education before, and the OU changed that.”

Posted on 11 December 2025 • Student stories

When Psychology Masters graduate Jonathan left home aged 18, he was looking forward to the adventures university life would bring. By his second year, what started as an occasional flutter for fun had descended into a serious gambling habit that took hold of Jonathan’s life.

Now 30, Jonathan is free of gambling and works for a charity raising awareness of gambling harms. Jonathan shares how discovering The Open University sparked the self-belief he needed to push ahead with his career and work towards life-changing outcomes in his field.

A new path

Despite all the challenges he faced, Jonathan managed to complete his degree but was faced with rejections when he tried to take the next step.

“Because of everything I’d been through, I wanted to take a Masters in Psychology so I could help others struggling with addiction,” Jonathan explains.

“With a third-class degree, doors were slamming in my face, it was an absolute killer for my confidence. But with the OU, I wasn’t judged, they saw I was a different person and not defined by mistakes I made years ago.”

Embarking on a Psychology Masters six years after he graduated, Jonathan questioned his ability to study at a higher level.

“At first, I doubted myself. I’d been out of education for six years, but my tutor booked calls with me in the evening when I’d finished work and helped me to build my confidence,” Jonathan recalls. “I love learning now – I hated education before, and the OU changed that.”

Learning to suit you

Reflecting on his OU experience, Jonathan describes how finding an approach to learning that suited him was a gamechanger.

“Looking back, going away to a brick university just wasn’t for me. The OU allowed me to study at my own pace, without the pressure of keeping up with others.”

Jonathan adds, “I wasn’t competing with anyone else — just challenging myself. I was in control. With the OU, if you’re not in the right headspace, you can come back later and won’t get left behind. That makes all the difference.”

Now a proud graduate, Jonathan recently celebrated with his family at the OU’s ceremony in Manchester.

“My mum’s my biggest supporter, she’s always been there for me, especially when I was having a tough time, so achieving this Masters is a win for her, the rest of my family and my amazing team at work.”

Finding his calling

A few months into his OU course, Jonathan landed his dream job, working for Beacon Counselling Trust – an education, treatment and support charity specialising in gambling harms.

“I deliver education programmes to professionals in all sorts of settings – schools, prisons, universities… anywhere we can have an impact,” says Jonathan. “What’s that old saying about if you do something you love, you’ll never do a day’s work in your life? That’s exactly how I feel.”

When he’s not at work, Jonathan still likes to research and learn about the psychology of addiction and gambling. And if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Jonathan’s finishing an epic year of fundraising for the suicide bereavement arm of the charity he works for, Paul’s Place.

“Throughout 2025, I’ve been completing 13 major running events, including 3 full marathons and 9 half marathons – I’ve got loads of blisters and a couple of dodgy toenails, but it will be worth it.”

A strong drive for change

Keen to share his story to show others that there’s support out there, Jonathan remembers his own turning point.

“I signed up to GAMSTOP, a self-exclusion scheme to take away the temptation of online gambling and managed to get some of the money I’d lost back,” Jonathan explains.

“Not everyone’s experience is the same – I’ve heard of people in the same position not getting the help they need and the consequences can be tragic. That’s always been my motivation to make the most of the opportunities I’ve been given.”

Looking to the future, Jonathan is determined to drive positive change through his research and professional practice.

“I’m about to start a Public Health PhD, carrying out research into early intervention for gambling harms. I know in my case, there were a few missed opportunities, and while there’s tonnes of research on how to treat people in crisis, wouldn’t it be better to pick up the issues earlier and prevent a lot of suffering?”

Now with a career he loves, Jonathan has this advice to anyone considering OU study:

“I didn’t think I’d ever get a second opportunity, and the OU made that possible – I felt supported all the way. You don’t know what you’re capable of until you try, so find something you’re passionate about and go for it!”

 

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