Support from lecturers developed my confidence and academic ability

Eleanor Dimery recently graduated in BA Education Studies and now works in Pastoral Support at a Secondary School.

“I had previously attended a much larger university and didn’t like how I was only known as a number. At University of Gloucestershire the smaller course cohort meant the lecturers know you personally and make the effort to contact you if they notice you aren’t attending. I also knew the University had a great reputation for its education courses. The community within my course was lovely. Everybody knew each other and what they were aiming to be and achieve, so it was all about supporting and encouraging one another.

I cannot praise the lecturers I had enough. Not only were they an expert in their area, they were happy to take the time to explore your interests with you. They were always available for academic support, career guidance and even emotional support.

My tutor was so encouraging. He knew where I was capable working at and supported me to get there. He knew everything I was doing during my time at the University and showed a genuine interest in it all.

The range of assessment types meant that everybody had to face their weakest form of assessment at some stage of the course. For me this was exams, I had a studies skills tutor as during my time at the University it was confirmed that I had Dyslexia. She helped me work on my exam technique, so I felt more confident and achieved better grades in the exams I did take. Not only do I now have the knowledge in the field of Education, but the development in my confidence has come from continual support and guidance from the lecturers.   My academic writing skills, reading ability and managing dyslexia has all improved substantially, thanks to the availability of resources at the University.

I did a placement during my second year at UOG. I was an Educational Mentor at CMAS in Cheltenham. I was working one-to-one with young people out of the formal education system and it really opened my eyes and I soon developed a passion for working with young people that struggle to access the mainstream education system. This could be for a whole host of reasons, from home situations, academic ability, SEN or emotional trauma etc. This led to paid employment after the placement had finished.”