Political activist and psychology student Emma, 19, shares why they think The Open University (OU) is a smart choice for school leavers who want to get ahead in all aspects of their life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t in a great place before I discovered the OU. I\u2019d had a tough time in the last couple of years at school, my mental health had suffered, and I didn\u2019t have a plan,\u201d Emma recalls.<\/p>\n
Knowing that a campus university wasn\u2019t for them, Emma was struggling to find their way, until late one night they stumbled across the OU\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was at my computer, researching my options and I came across the OU. That was it! I went down a rabbit hole, looking at all the courses on offer and the different ways you can study.\u201d Emma adds, \u201cI was so excited I couldn\u2019t sleep, because I felt like I\u2019d found a route to higher education that would work for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Within a week, Emma received a call from the OU to talk everything though and make sure that distance learning was for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lovely person from the OU called me, who wanted to make sure I had all the information I needed,\u201d Emma remembers. \u201cI had loads of questions, particularly about how I would be supported with my dyslexia.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Emma started the BSc Psychology degree<\/a>, they were astounded by the variety of support they could access.<\/p>\n \u201cIn all my time being dyslexic at school, I\u2019d never had support like this \u2013 it\u2019s exactly how it should be. You don\u2019t have to search for support, the OU is proactive and makes sure you get everything you need.\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter that one phone call, my tutors were told how they could best support me. I got audio text books, loads of tips about studying with dyslexia and there\u2019s even an online group for dyslexic students. We sometimes just hop on a video call and do our work together. It makes you realise that you\u2019ve got an amazing community behind you.\u201d<\/p>\n Alongside their studies, Emma is passionate about opening up meaningful conversations around mental health. They founded Project Sonrisa<\/a>, – a non-profit organisation, which seeks to challenge underrepresentation in the media and tackle stigma.<\/p>\n \u201cProject Sonrisa is close to my heart and it\u2019s something I wouldn\u2019t be able to maintain if I was tied down to a timetable,\u201d Emma explains. \u201cBeing able to organise my own study time means that I have capacity to do the things I care about.\u201d<\/p>\n Also a prolific activist, Emma proudly represents Cumbernauld and Kilsyth in The Scottish Youth Parliament<\/a> (SYP), not to mention holding down their day job producing digital communications for a European environmental organisation.<\/p>\n Emma speaks of how they manage to fit so many commitments into their life.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like pieces of a jigsaw that all fit together. I\u2019m pretty good at planning my time and I\u2019m lucky that I work remotely too,\u201d Emma says. \u201cThe OU makes learning so accessible. You get all the important dates well in advance so you can plan around deadlines. There\u2019s no way I could run Project Sonrisa and be proactive for SYP if I\u2019d gone to a campus university.\u201c<\/p>\n Already reaping the benefits of supported distance learning, Emma has found that their experience has given their peers something to think about.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m always singing the praises of OU study, so much so, that some of my friends are looking into how they can switch their courses to the OU.\u201d<\/p>\n Emma\u2019s versatility and sheer determination to make an impact has earned them some impressive accolades. Project Sonrisa\u2019s Our Minds documentary<\/a> was showcased at a global film festival, whilst Emma is celebrating award success at the Queer Student Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe I was even nominated for these awards. You can\u2019t imagine the shock when I won Influencer of the Year and came runner up for the overall Queer of the Year award,\u201d Emma said. \u201cThe LGBTQ+ community is experiencing a lot of hate right now, so it was a real inspiration to hear about what the other nominees are doing to make things better.\u201d<\/p>\n Having previously experienced the feeling of not fitting in, Emma reflects on the importance of finding the right path.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like the OU breaks down barriers and creates a space where you can be yourself. It\u2019s not just about the education. The OU takes into account that you\u2019re an individual and you have a life.\u201d Emma adds, \u201cIt\u2019s such a positive place – it\u2019s taught me to be more confident in who I am, challenge the norm and be my authentic self.\u201d<\/p>\nFlexibility to achieve more<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Amazing accolades <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Finding their own way<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Inspired by Emma\u2019s story? <\/strong><\/h2>\n