Kathryn Der Gregorian

For Kathryn Der Gregorian, her Open University ride has been quite the rollercoaster. Two years after enrolling to do her Bachelor of Laws Degree, her husband was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer. Then, just a few months later, she found herself not only caring for her husband and studying, but also home-schooling when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

But now, with just one year to go until she graduates, mum-of-two Kathryn could not be happier that she stuck at it, even when the going got tough. Having just been awarded the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn Neuberger Prize, the future is looking very, very bright – despite her once believing she could never study law due to her average school grades.

“I grew up in a little village in north-east Scotland, and I did ok in my Scottish Highers, but not amazingly,” she said. “I liked art and drama but didn’t want to do the arts as a job, so I got a job as an office junior in a solicitor’s office. It was there that I realised I was interested in law but, given that I wasn’t a straight-A student and there aren’t many opportunities in the Scottish Highlands, I didn’t think I could do anything about it.”

After doing a series of retail roles, Kathryn later moved south where she started working as a Revenues Recovery Officer at Guildford Borough Council. This involved spending time in the local Magistrate’s Court in relation to cases involving council tax and benefits. There, she would get to see snippets of other cases, and her interest in law was once again piqued.

“I was in my mid 30s by then, so if I was going to do it, it needed to be right away,” she said. “With The Open University, I didn’t need the three As that I’d assumed I would. My ‘ok’ grades meant I didn’t need to do an access course, so I enrolled straight away. I was attracted by the flexibility – with two children, even before my husband was unwell, I knew I would need this if study was to fit in with my lifestyle.”

From the outset, Kathryn had one goal in mind.

She said: “I wanted to make a career of it. I’d had enough of being the admin person – I wanted to progress. I wanted to be working in court!”

As soon as she got going, she discovered that distance learning was exactly what she needed. “Distance learning really worked for me, and I honestly don’t think I could have done it any other way,” said Kathryn.

“It’s important to remember that it doesn’t have to be all distance learning either – I can do face-to-face tutorials once a month, and there are opportunities to do voluntary roles too. For example, you can volunteer with the Open University Law Society and just before Christmas I did four months of volunteering with the Criminal Justice Clinic.”

Kathryn is the first to admit it hasn’t been easy, but says she has constantly pushed herself to do better – something which has recently been recognised when she won the Neuberger Prize. She said: “It’s been very difficult, to the point where I actually thought perhaps I couldn’t do it. When my husband was at his most poorly, and I had both kids at home during the pandemic, that was very tough and juggling it all was the most challenging moment of my degree so far.

“But then I remembered how much I wanted to do this, for myself. Plus, it was giving me something else to focus on. I did consider taking a break but as I am doing it part-time, it was already going to take me six years to complete my degree. So instead, I took a month off and got month-long extensions on my work. I find that when you have a lot going on, and you’re busy and emotional, having something else to focus on can keep you going. My husband really didn’t want me to give up either.”

On being awarded the Neuberger Prize – one of just eight students from non-Russell Group universities to do so – she has been given free membership of Lincoln’s Inn (a prestigious society of barristers); a mentor for her final year of study; attendance at the Inn’s three-day summer school; a £250 cash prize; and the opportunity to complete a mini pupillage through the Inn.

She said: “Thanks to my experiences of volunteering with the OU, I have plenty to talk about when I’m at the Inn! The volunteering opportunities are brilliant for interviews and are just great experience overall, plus you get to make great connections within the OU network of students. I’ve also been a virtual ambassador doing blogs to help other students and I’ve been part of an ‘inspiring students’ panel at the business and law faculties conference – doing this sort of thing demonstrates that you want to help other people.

“I was never the type of person to put my hand up before. That’s not the case now – I always take up the opportunity to do extra things. I’d have been petrified going to Lincoln’s Inn before but the OU has given me the confidence to do things like this, as well as the academic knowledge and excellent advice on things like my CV. The best element of my OU study has been the encouragement and opportunities on offer.

“I was elated when I discovered I’d won the Neuberger Prize! I had to keep re-reading the email. That recognition is so important to me.”

To anyone doing OU study, Kathryn says this: “Reach out to your tutor if you’re struggling and don’t wait too long – there’s a network of support available to you. There’s also a lot of helpful advice on Student Home, so if you’re struggling with things like critical analysis, this can be a lifeline on top of your module materials and tutors. Plus, get out there and make connections with other students. This will really help you!

“And finally, make sure you take breaks – have a sleep or go for a walk and come back to it. “I didn’t believe I could do this before. A tutor in my first year said that if I don’t try I’ll never know if I can do it. That stuck with me – and it turns out I am doing it, and I’m doing it well! It can be the same for you – just try.”