After recently moving to the UK, Khudayja, 25, hadn’t expected that her BA (Honours) English Literature and Creative Writing degree at The Open University (OU) would introduce her to life-long friends and a huge community of fellow book lovers.
“I moved to the UK from Pakistan with my family four years ago. My family are big advocates of education and were keen for me to further my studies with a degree,” she says.
“I was drawn to english literature and creative writing because of my passion for reading. I’d love to one day become an author and have already started work on my debut novel.
“Although I researched brick universities, including those local to where I live in Bradford, I couldn’t find a course that I liked which still offered me the flexibility to work and remain living at home.”
Quality course material
Khudayja was drawn to the OU’s course materials and her decision was solidified by the supported distance learning structure.
“The OU’s english literature and creative writing degree ticked so many boxes for me. Not only did it include modules about genres that I already adored, but it also offered the opportunity to explore so many areas that I hadn’t yet ventured into.
“I’m now nearing my final year of study and am happy to say that my expectations about the course have been met. The OU’s course material has been great. As well as looking at classics like Jane Eyre, I’ve also written a film script, which is something I never thought I would do.”
Supported studies
During her studies, Khudayja has overcome some personal barriers, but has been able to continue her studies with the help of her tutors.
“I’ve been diagnosed with OCD and anxiety, and although I’ve been able to manage my condition with medication and meditation, the support from my tutors has relieved so much stress.
“In my first year of study, I was on the verge of giving up. I was unhappy with my grades and didn’t feel like I had what it takes to complete a degree.
“The OU community, including my tutors and fellow students picked me up and encouraged me to carry on. By working with my tutors on how to improve my marks and getting feedback on assignment drafts, I’ve been able to lift my score to Distinction level, which makes me incredibly proud.
“Studying via distance learning isn’t a lonely experience. I’ve made life-long friends through the OU and spend my spare time travelling the country visiting them.
“It’s been refreshing to find likeminded people, who love books as much as I do!”
Building a future
Khudayja has made many more friends through her Instagram page, Literary the Best, where she shares her current reads and documents her OU journey.
“I started my Instagram page, so that I could look back on how far I’d come in my studies. It’s been great at reminding me of my successes, as well as the challenges that I’ve overcome.
“Outside of my course, Instagram has introduced me to other OU students and made my OU world even bigger.”
With ambitions of being an author still on Khudayja’s radar, she also has plans to pursue a career in teaching.
“After I’ve completed my degree, I’m considering a PGCE, which would go hand-in-hand with my current role of Assistant Director at Explore Learning, a maths and English tuition support centre for 4 to 16-year-olds.
“As I specialise in helping students with english literature and creative writing, I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learnt in my OU course directly to my job.
“Whilst my family were sceptical about OU study when I first signed up, they soon changed their mind when they saw the amount of work my course entails and the way it’s already benefiting my life and future.
“For anyone that’s considering an OU degree, I’d advise checking out OpenLearn for an array of free courses. It’s a brilliant taster of the quality and content that full OU qualifications involve.”
Khudayja is part of the OU’s flash fiction competition #OU50words. The multi-award-winning campaign invites budding writers to craft 50 words of creative writing in response to the University’s daily video prompt. To join in the fun, visit the OU’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
