Political activist and psychology student Emma, 19, shares why they think The Open University (OU) is a smart choice for school leavers who want to get ahead in all aspects of their life.
“I wasn’t in a great place before I discovered the OU. I’d had a tough time in the last couple of years at school, my mental health had suffered, and I didn’t have a plan,” Emma recalls.
A route that works
Knowing that a campus university wasn’t for them, Emma was struggling to find their way, until late one night they stumbled across the OU’s website.
“I was at my computer, researching my options and I came across the OU. That was it! I went down a rabbit hole, looking at all the courses on offer and the different ways you can study.” Emma adds, “I was so excited I couldn’t sleep, because I felt like I’d found a route to higher education that would work for me.”
Support to get started
Within a week, Emma received a call from the OU to talk everything though and make sure that distance learning was for them.
“A lovely person from the OU called me, who wanted to make sure I had all the information I needed,” Emma remembers. “I had loads of questions, particularly about how I would be supported with my dyslexia.”
When Emma started the BSc Psychology degree, they were astounded by the variety of support they could access.
“In all my time being dyslexic at school, I’d never had support like this – it’s exactly how it should be. You don’t have to search for support, the OU is proactive and makes sure you get everything you need.” Emma said.
“After that one phone call, my tutors were told how they could best support me. I got audio text books, loads of tips about studying with dyslexia and there’s even an online group for dyslexic students. We sometimes just hop on a video call and do our work together. It makes you realise that you’ve got an amazing community behind you.”
Flexibility to achieve more
Alongside their studies, Emma is passionate about opening up meaningful conversations around mental health. They founded Project Sonrisa, – a non-profit organisation, which seeks to challenge underrepresentation in the media and tackle stigma.
“Project Sonrisa is close to my heart and it’s something I wouldn’t be able to maintain if I was tied down to a timetable,” Emma explains. “Being able to organise my own study time means that I have capacity to do the things I care about.”
Also a prolific activist, Emma proudly represents Cumbernauld and Kilsyth in The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), not to mention holding down their day job producing digital communications for a European environmental organisation.
Emma speaks of how they manage to fit so many commitments into their life.
“It’s like pieces of a jigsaw that all fit together. I’m pretty good at planning my time and I’m lucky that I work remotely too,” Emma says. “The OU makes learning so accessible. You get all the important dates well in advance so you can plan around deadlines. There’s no way I could run Project Sonrisa and be proactive for SYP if I’d gone to a campus university.“
Already reaping the benefits of supported distance learning, Emma has found that their experience has given their peers something to think about.
“I’m always singing the praises of OU study, so much so, that some of my friends are looking into how they can switch their courses to the OU.”
Amazing accolades
Emma’s versatility and sheer determination to make an impact has earned them some impressive accolades. Project Sonrisa’s Our Minds documentary was showcased at a global film festival, whilst Emma is celebrating award success at the Queer Student Awards.
“I couldn’t believe I was even nominated for these awards. You can’t imagine the shock when I won Influencer of the Year and came runner up for the overall Queer of the Year award,” Emma said. “The LGBTQ+ community is experiencing a lot of hate right now, so it was a real inspiration to hear about what the other nominees are doing to make things better.”
Finding their own way
Having previously experienced the feeling of not fitting in, Emma reflects on the importance of finding the right path.
“I feel like the OU breaks down barriers and creates a space where you can be yourself. It’s not just about the education. The OU takes into account that you’re an individual and you have a life.” Emma adds, “It’s such a positive place – it’s taught me to be more confident in who I am, challenge the norm and be my authentic self.”
Inspired by Emma’s story?
Step into your future with the support of the OU. Register before 7 September for courses starting this October and discover what you’re capable of.
