| Lucy Ryden 10+ years | Holly Gillen - 20+ years |
Lucy Ryden
& Amy Ladden
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Holly Gillen
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‘I looked at other universities but it was the great atmosphere of the Dundee campus that really made it my choice - people were so friendly! Because it’s a compact campus there’s a real feeling of a university community - not like the bigger cities where university buildings are scattered on different streets.’ The flexibility of the course structure is also a major plus as far as Holly is concerned: ‘I did my first year in University College, Dublin but could not carry on psychology after first year there. At Dundee the attitude seemed to be : you tell us what subjects you want to do and we’ll accommodate your requests. Nothing seemed too much bother.’ And as for the social life : ‘It’s brilliant! I think I practically lived in the students’ union for my first year.’ Now in her fourth year with finals approaching work has curtailed the partying hours but Holly is enthusiastic about her honours thesis - researching the effects of having a baby with a cleft lip or palate on the mother/infant relationship. By taking video recordings of mothers and babies playing together then analysing the tapes, she hopes to cast light on the extent to which that important early bond is affected by the disfiguring disability. This in turn could influence the timing of corrective operations which are currently performed at a later stage in the UK than in some other countries. ‘This is something which has not been done before. Clefting has only really been looked at from a medical and dental angle - no-one has investigated the psychological aspects.’ |
Anne Reilly
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A social worker based in Perth, with a special role in assisting disabled children, their families and carers, Anne is in no doubt about the value of her course:
‘It keeps your own theoretical base alive and helps to keep the practice in focus. The longer you are in a job the more you need to keep your values in sight. Without courses such as these there is a danger of stagnation.’
Every six weeks between October and May Anne joins the 19 other course members at a hotel in Grangemouth for a week’s intensive study to complete a block of modules. There are five blocks of modules and five assignments to complete as well as a law exam.
‘Attending in this way allows you to switch off completely from other distractions,’ she says. ‘There’s no doubt that in order for your career to develop you need such a qualification.’
Anne is another who came to higher education late in life. Major hearing loss disrupted her schooling and when she emerged in her teens it was with no qualifications and little confidence. However in her mid-twenties she thought : ‘I can do better than this!’ and enrolled to take O-levels and Highers at Perth College. Within a few years she was working as assistant to an occupational therapist - a post which opened the door for her into social work. Seven years ago she won a place at Northern College to do her social work training. ‘It was absolutely wonderful. In effect, I gave myself permission to think and never looked back.’ |
Jack Wells
Jack Wells was 61 when he enrolled for a BSc in electronic and microcomputer systems engineering. At a phase of life when most consider retiring Jack decided it was time to become a student. Last year he graduated with honours but he enjoyed his student years so much that he is now studying for a masters degree in electronic circuit design and manufacture.
‘I left school at 17 to work for Post Office Telephones, now BT... where I spent my entire working life, finally retiring at the age of 60. After getting up at 6.30 am every morning and working until after 5pm I wondered how I was going to spend my time.’
A routine of swimming and tea dances held little allure for Jack - ‘ I knew I needed something to stimulate my mind.’ Fortunately he discovered Dundee’s summer Access route - intensive courses designed to help non-traditional candidates reach university entrance standard. This took him on to a place at university.
‘At first I felt a bit out of place but it didn’t last too long once it was known there was a “really old guy” doing an engineering degree the younger students were very willing to accept me as part of the class.’
In fact so well did Jack get on with his fellow students that he later received a medal from the department of Applied Physics and Electronic and Mechanical Engineering for his contribution.
‘As I look back I have nothing but happy memories. I have found university to be one of the most satisfying and rewarding experiences of my working life.’
Jack is pictured with fellow mature student George Walker (55). |
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