Arlene Cleland

“I work in the local health trust alongside the children’s nursing team, supporting children with complex "needs. This has given me an insight into nursing, and both the parents I was working with and my colleagues encouraged me to consider it for myself, so I investigated upskilling. I decided I would love to start on a nursing degree, but then realised I would need the GCSE to be accepted.  I have tried to pass the qualification more than once, and I would be fine in class, but nerves got the better of me when it came to the exam. But I knew where I wanted to get to, so I didn’t hesitate - I came down to SERC in Downpatrick and enrolled”. 

“I think as you get older you are more receptive; you want to succeed – I haven’t missed a class. You become aware that you must put in the work and find the time for private study; I have given it my all and I can see that’s had an effect, so I am hopeful of success.” 

“We have a good tutor in Sam Faulds. He makes it fun, and he has that ability to explain things, to find a way that makes sense to you.  In class this time round, I am not embarrassed to say, 'I don’t understand' – that way you get help, and you will understand! I think that’s another thing that comes as you get older – you lose that embarrassment.  We have been thoroughly prepared – we have not only done practice papers but took a mock exam in the hall where we’ll be sitting the GCSE so that has also helped with the nerves."

“What has also impressed me at SERC, is that we’ve had people coming to us throughout the year telling us about support teams and what help is available. Everyone wants you to succeed.”   

“I love learning, and I would recommend returning to study – don’t put it off. It’s hard at 16 to know what you want to do. For a lot of people, they think 'school isn’t for me' and then after a few short years at a job they think, 'well this isn’t really for me, either'. You then realise a qualification behind you is worth it. If you check out SERC, there are so many options and ways to succeed – you can get to achieve things you never thought you would.”