{"id":25021,"date":"2024-04-24T11:51:03","date_gmt":"2024-04-24T10:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ounews.co\/?p=25021"},"modified":"2024-04-24T11:51:03","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T10:51:03","slug":"i-still-cant-believe-it-thanks-to-the-ou-i-graduated-aged-20-with-a-first-class-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/student-stories\/i-still-cant-believe-it-thanks-to-the-ou-i-graduated-aged-20-with-a-first-class-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018I still can\u2019t believe it \u2013 thanks to the OU, I graduated aged 20 with a first-class degree!\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

After completing her GCSEs, Chloe had a big decision to make \u2013 go on to achieve A Levels as expected or follow her heart by choosing another path.<\/p>\n

Craving a more enriching learning experience away from the \u201cincessant emphasis\u201d on exam practice she\u2019d experienced at school, Chloe chose to fast-track her university journey and career by starting an Arts and Humanities<\/a> degree at The Open University at just 16 years old.<\/p>\n

Chloe shares how she\u2019s using the skills she learned in her rewarding role at a busy NHS hospital, while pursuing her dreams as a writer.<\/p>\n

A breath of fresh air<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Taking a different route to her peers and entering higher education at such a young age was daunting for Chloe, but she trusted her instincts and embraced the adventure.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember feeling nervous at first and unsure whether I\u2019d be able to take responsibility for my own learning,\u201d Chloe recalls. \u201cI needn\u2019t have worried. I found the materials engaging, rigorous and I loved being able to choose when I worked. Exam technique didn\u2019t feature heavily, and it felt like a richer education for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finding that distance learning suited her, Chloe started to grow in confidence and relished being able to delve deeper into subjects that fascinated her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was like a breath of fresh air. It no longer mattered that I was shy at school and didn\u2019t like asking for help in front of the class \u2013 the tutors answered all my questions promptly and I soon began to feel in control of my studies,\u201d says Chloe. \u201cThe assessments weren\u2019t just something to be crammed for, they were opportunities to develop, research and apply ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Skills for success<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Despite distance learning being a great fit for Chloe, achieving her degree was by no means an easy ride. Chloe reflects on what she thinks it takes to succeed as an OU student.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to do it alone. When I was going through a tough time personally, my tutors went above and beyond to support me,\u201d Chloe recalls. \u201cI also used student forums for feedback on assignments, so it was never a lonely experience. There\u2019s always someone online and happy to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finding that having a strict timetable in place was crucial, Chloe has this advice for anyone considering OU study.<\/p>\n

\u201cLifestyles can be really hectic for OU students, but having a set place and time to work that is ringfenced and respected, is very important. There\u2019s a danger with the flexibility the OU offers, albeit liberating, of not being organised sufficiently to study methodically and regularly,\u201d Chloe says.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s also about remaining positive and being determined to enjoy the courses. Even if you can finish some of your set work, it\u2019s vital to pat yourself on the back, be your own cheerleader. You mustn\u2019t allow OU study to feel like a chore.\u201d<\/p>\n

A bright future<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Having chalked up a first-class degree by the age of 20, Chloe describes the career boosting skills she developed throughout her OU journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the modules I took taught me how to think analytically. I now take a step back and a deep breath when the latest challenge comes along.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chloe adds, \u201cI\u2019m more patient than I used to be when it comes to problem-solving, which must be down to four years of independent study at the OU! I\u2019m also more resilient – working towards my degree made me realise that everyone can get through challenges, especially when the way ahead doesn\u2019t always seem particularly clear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since graduating, Chloe has had her first novel, Dragging a Donkey Through Treacle, published and crafted regular blogs for two charities – all while holding down a busy job in a NHS hospital.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t until I applied for my NHS job that I realised what an impressive reputation the OU has with employers,\u201d says Chloe. \u201cOU study demonstrates independence, self-motivation, organisation \u2013 qualities which the OU nurtures, and that really appeal to employers.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked about her aspirations for the future, Chloe\u2019s passion for writing shines through.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m under no illusions how hard it is for a young writer to break into the literary world, but as I\u2019m working on my second novel, I\u2019m hopeful that I can support myself financially and still find the time to be a writer,\u201d says Chloe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m now benefitting from the skills my modules taught and developed. Whenever I\u2019m writing, I\u2019m constantly aware that I\u2019m putting important elements of my university education to good use. Thanks to the OU, my higher education turned out to be more fulfilling and rewarding than I could ever have imagined.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After completing her GCSEs, Chloe had a big decision to make \u2013 go on to achieve A Levels as expected or follow her heart by choosing another path. Craving a more enriching learning experience away from the \u201cincessant emphasis\u201d on exam practice she\u2019d experienced at school, Chloe chose to fast-track her university journey and career […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":25022,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[1525,1643,2142],"class_list":["post-25021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-stories","tag-news-home","tag-ou-news","tag-student-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25021"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25021\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25022"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}