Family tree was inspiration for history graduate Hayley

Hayley has always been passionate about studying history. She achieved good grades at school, but the thought of attending university was daunting.

She sought advice from her husband, and with his encouragement, she decided to start a degree in history at the OU. She graduated earlier this year.

While Hayley was looking into her family tree, she discovered that her ancestors were famous in Monmouthshire for producing baked goods. She became fascinated by her family’s story, which inspired her to study history.

The flexibility of the Open University degree meant that Hayley could balance family time with her studies, often opening her books when her young children were taking a nap or at nursery. This allowed her to schedule her work and meet assignment deadlines. 

Studying at the OU has changed my outlook on life. I never believed I would be able to study at a university, but it's opened my eyes to what I can achieve in the future. Whether you are working full-time or you’re a parent, it’s flexible which means you can manage the intensity and tailor a degree to suit your needs.

Hayley Harris
OU graduate

The teaching materials used on the course were useful to Hayley, including online resources and hard copy books. The recorded online lectures and seminars also allowed her to catch up on work if she needed.

Hayley also has fond memories of the OU tutors she worked with. 

'I built a great relationship with my them,' she says. 'They were extremely supportive and went the extra mile to help me and the other students. They would respond to emails or messages quickly – nothing was ever too much.'