Victoria Bailey always dreamt of a career in academia and spent her youth fascinated by Graeco-Roman mythology. But prolonged period of illness during her childhood and teenage years meant that she left school with no qualifications.
With not many choices open to her, Victoria went into care work. Six years on, believing she’d hit a dead end, she suffered a mental breakdown. Now a proud BA (Hons) Classical Studies graduate, Victoria shares how she turned her life around through The Open University.
“I thought my childhood dreams had passed me by”
After entering the care profession, Victoria quickly realised that it wasn’t the right kind of work for her.
“My career choice proved too emotionally draining. It felt – to me – like a dead end,” she said. “Since I was five years old, learning about Graeco-Roman deities and memorising their names and stories, I’d dreamt of entering higher education and having a career in academia. Suddenly my dreams felt lost, like they were just a childish fantasy I’d once had.”
It was then that Victoria hit rock bottom and her wellbeing suffered.
“My mental health deteriorated, leading to what I can only describe as a full mental breakdown. I had to leave work. It was the lowest ebb of my life. If it wasn’t for the support of my family and my partner, Shannon, I honestly don’t know if I’d still be here now. I felt more lost than ever,” she said.
Finding support and acceptance
Seeking support from mental health professionals led Victoria to discovering something about herself which has helped her going forward.
“I received a diagnosis of Autism and Dyspraxia,” she said. “This helped me to better understand myself and I realised that my lack of social skills and poor coordination were not a failing on my part. At that point, I learnt to live with myself. I accepted that while I may have limitations, my conditions make me who I am.
“For the first time in a while, I was content, and my relationship with Shannon was stronger than ever. But something was still missing in my life.”
Renewed hope
One night at home, Victoria admitted how she felt, and Shannon suggested The Open University could be the perfect solution.
“Shannon explained to me that students could enrol at the OU regardless of prior experience and qualifications – or a lack thereof,” she said. “Shannon says my eyes lit up at that moment! For the first time in years, I felt hope. Perhaps there was a place for me in academia after all. I made up my mind to try.”
Victoria began her learning journey by doing an IGCSE in English, to give herself some experience of studying as an adult. In preparation for enrolling for an Open University degree, Shannon also registered for a selection of short courses in ancient history and classical studies through OU co-owned learning platform FutureLearn.
“Finally, in October 2018, my new life began. I started a BA (Hons) in Classical Studies with The Open University,” she said.
On the right path
“In all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for my degree, but I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I fell into a routine. I loved studying. For the first time in my life I felt that I was on the right path. Academic life suited me. I was happy,” she said.
Victoria graduated in 2021 and is now set to begin her next challenge – an OU Master’s degree in Classical Studies.
“I can honestly say that studying with The Open University has changed me for the better. Life excites me in a way that it never has before and I believe in myself like never before. I look to the future with excitement.”
Bringing her dreams to life
“I thought my childhood ambitions had passed me by until I discovered The Open University. Finally, my childhood dreams are becoming a reality,” said Victoria.
“The OU has given me the confidence and the drive to pursue my childhood ambitions of a career in academia. Life is brighter now, and I feel that am becoming the person that I have always wanted to be.
“Studying with The Open University has changed my life for the better in so many ways. It has given me the qualification and the self-belief to pursue my life-long dream of working in academia which, despite the numerous obstacles I have encountered, no longer feels like an impossible pipe dream but a real, tangible aim.”
