<p><em>Cheyenne Smith has made incredible progress in just four years; battling back from numerous health problems and a bitter experience at school to earn a place at university. Here’s her inspirational story.</em></p>

<p>Four years ago, I finished school and failed all my GCSEs.</p>

<p>I’d always struggled with my anxiety and making friends in school – I was often badly bullied, mainly due to my disabilities.</p>

<p>I had mental and physical health problems growing up, which meant I could only attend school 50% of the time. Even when I was in, I found it difficult to concentrate because my mind was all over the place.</p>

<p>I got very little help and was made to believe I was a failure.</p>

<p>To get back into education and improve my confidence, I enrolled on an Extension Studies course at Weston College. We covered everything from catering, textiles, art, photography and, health and social care.</p>

<p>It was exactly what I needed after my experience of school and helped me get back on track.</p>

<p>Tammy, Residential Specialist Practitioner said “Cheyenne used this year to get used to the differences between school and college and develop her confidence and time management skills. During this time Cheyenne identified that she had an interest in caring and helping others.”</p>

<p>I decided to do a Health and Social Care Certificate&nbsp;in my second year. I got everything in on time and passed everything straight away, which showed how far I had come.</p>

<p>Tammy, Residential Specialist Practitioner said “during this level 2 course, Cheyenne attended different placements to develop her confidence in the work place.”</p>

<p>In my third year, I retook maths and English GCSEs and found it easier to understand the syllabus at College than I had at school. Maybe it was the teachers, how it was timetabled, or the College environment – I’m not sure, but it worked for me!</p>

<p>During an English GCSE class, a tutor from the Access to HE course came to speak to us about the course. I was instantly intrigued by progression opportunities it presented and, in my fourth year, decided to study the Social Sciences Access to HE programme.</p>

<p>Fast forward to the present day and here I’m now studying a Sociology degree at the University of the West of England.</p>

<p>I’ve fought incredibly hard to get to here and I can’t thank Weston College and my family enough for how they have helped me in these past four years.</p>

<p>Most people who knew the old me, would never have thought I’d become the person I am today. I have exceeded everyone expectations including my own – I feel extremely accomplished and proud that I’ve managed to get where I am today.</p>

<p>It wasn’t the&nbsp;easiest fight, but it was most definitely worth it. I was often tempted to quit – feeling that it was a constant fight – but I didn’t give up because I knew I could do more.</p>

<p>I hope my story it will inspire others who have had similar experiences. If the school system has failed you, don’t give up – and remember Albert Einstein’s words:</p>

<p>“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”</p>

<p>Sometimes you must fail in order to succeed, but you will get there in the end.</p>

<p>Shortly after leaving school, I fulfilled a childhood dream and went onto serve nine years as a Royal Marines Commando.</p>

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<p>Upon&nbsp;leaving, I became a Scuba Diving Instructor, introducing people to the beauty of the underwater world. Despite this idyllic lifestyle, I had a deep-seated hunger to achieve a life-long goal that I had very much longed-for; I wanted to study law.</p>

<p>I had no formal qualifications outside of the military, and therefore, to embark on this journey of academia I had to start from the very beginning; I had to sit my GCSE exams!</p>

<p>After speaking to one of the helpful tutors at Weston College about my ambitions, I decided to enrol on an Access to HE Diploma, in particular the social sciences pathway; the core subjects being psychology and sociology. I chose the Access to HE course over A-levels because not only did it cover the same pre-university subjects that I was contemplating, but it also provided me with the strong academic skills required for degree-level learning, such as essay writing and researching proficiency.</p>

<p>I have enjoyed every aspect of the Access to HE course, from the mates I have gained to the tutors that have taught me, who I would also now call my friends. Some areas of the course, however, do stand out as what can only be defined as life-changing. I was initially captivated by studying the societal norms and values that create socialisation, influenced by the behavioural conditioning that defines who people are; this was a mere taster for what was about to come. Modules such as crime and deviance, abnormal psychology, welfare and poverty, and psychopathology have changed the way I view the world surrounding me; I suddenly became conscious of the workings and functions of the society and the beating life within it.</p>

<p>If you have been considering retraining -&nbsp;Do It!&nbsp;The only thing in your way, is yourself. If you have any self-doubt, or any preconceptions that you may not be good at something, I can assure you you’re in for a surprise. I grew up believing I didn’t belong within academia, however, after a short period of study I achieved 95% in the maths exams, along with 72% in English. Curtail any self-doubt, embrace the challenge, and most of all, enjoy every moment along the way.</p>

<p>I have received an offer to study Law at the University of Bristol, starting in September 2021. Upon completion of my law degree, I intend to progress onto the postgraduate Bar Training Course in order to qualify as a barrister.</p>

<p>Find out more, start your new journey today!</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-… to HE courses</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/english-and-ma… and Maths GCSE</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news-and-events/events">Next open event</a></li>
</ul>

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<p>Charlotte Styles completed a remarkable journey in September when she began a Biological Laboratory Sciences Degree.</p>

<p>As a teenager, the combination of an unstable home life and poor attendance at school meant her education prospects looked bleak. Aged 15, Charlotte also gave birth to her son, Lee.</p>

<p>But despite these obstacles, Charlotte was able to turn her life around thanks to her sheer determination to succeed, and the support she received from Weston College.</p>

<p>“From a very early age, both my parents’ misused substances,” said Charlotte, now aged 26.</p>

<p>“This really impacted my emotional wellbeing and caused me to isolate myself from education. I had no role models.</p>

<p>“I had my son when I was 15 and, although I had been predicted quite good grades at GCSE, I was told I couldn’t take them. My attendance at school was really poor and I didn’t have much support from the school.”</p>

<p>Rather than give up, Charlotte enrolled on a Level 3 course in Health and Social Care at Weston College in 2010.</p>

<p>“The support from Weston College was tremendously different,” said Charlotte who also began working as a nursing assistant.</p>

<p>“It’s more one-to-one and, rather than being treated as part of a class, you’re seen as an individual and they support you as an individual.</p>

<p>“When you first go to college, you only think about the educational side – you forget about personal difficulties you may have. That’s the difference with Weston College. They acknowledge that and support you through everything.”</p>

<p>After completing the Level 3 course, Charlotte set her sights on progressing to a degree. To get there, she enrolled on an Access to Higher Education programme in Nursing, Health and Social Care.</p>

<p>At times, she found it difficult to juggle the workload and her other responsibilities but always received the help she needed.</p>

<p>Charlotte said: “We were told the Access course would be hard but I didn’t realise how hard it would be!</p>

<p>“But every time I told my tutor I couldn’t do something, she would tell me I can. They have all the time in the world for you even when they’re back-logged with assignments and marking.</p>

<p>“You’re always welcome to go and have a meltdown or a rant.</p>

<p>“I think it’s a real gift to believe in someone when they don’t believe in themselves and that’s what Weston College do.”</p>

<p>Charlotte, who now studies at the University of West of England, and has aspirations to go into FE teaching after being inspired by the teaching and support she received at the College.</p>

<p>Charlotte also had some words of advice for people who might find themselves in a similar position to her.</p>

<p>She said: “That first step is coming into the reception desk and saying ‘I want to do this – how do I get there?’”</p>

<p>“Weston College do everything else for you. They tell you which course you need to do and the financial support you can get. When you’re on course, they keep you motivated.</p>

<p>“Life stopped me in my tracks and made me doubt myself so many times, but the College made me believe in myself.</p>

<p>“I spent four years at Weston College and loved every single second of it.”</p>

<p>Click <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/access-higher-…; find out more about the Access to HE course at Weston College.</p>