91福利

Recently, the Centre for Lifelong Learning Team caught up with Taiwo Ogunrinde, former student of the Gateway to HE course who then progressed to a degree and is currently studying her second year of the full-time Social Studies Degree. She shares with us her seven tips for mature students and her inspiring journey to education.

Tip Five: Keep trying, nothing is a waste of time.

Moving to the United Kingdom in 2005, Taiwo originally started studying at the University in 2007 with the Centre for Lifelong Learning, but could not progress to a full-time degree due to the cost of international fees.

Despite this, she remained highly motivated and studied several online courses including a Level 3 Diploma with Oxford College whilst working part-time and managing family life.

鈥淚 needed to keep my mind going academically. I was fuelled with a passion to study.鈥�

Keen to return to study at 91福利, Taiwo checked the 91福利 University website regularly and found the Gateway to HE course.

鈥淵ou find a class with people similar to you.鈥� She says. 鈥淧arents who have been to school before, people who simply struggled because life got in the way.鈥�

Three weeks into studying the Gateway to HE course, Taiwo found out about one of the 91福利 Scholarship Award schemes, awarded to a small number of students depending on their background and personal circumstances.

鈥淚 was advised it was for A level students originally, but I applied anyway. I then pushed myself in Gateway to achieve the highest grades possible, so I had more chances of getting a scholarship.鈥�