Laura McFarlane

“I lacked confidence, and I didn’t feel I was up to it, but I went along to an open day at Ballynahinch. The tutors I met that day assured me I was more than capable and encouraged me to apply for Restart Education."

“I felt like a child again on the first day back a school, but my fears were soon alleviated. The tutors are so down to earth, they make you feel comfortable straight away. Restart was great for getting me back into the swing of learning and it boosted my confidence."

“As part of the course we got to meet some of the careers team who  highlighted a range of courses we could do after Restart, including the Level 3 Access Diploma in Foundation Studies - or Access course. I wasn’t sure about progressing to Access.   University seemed like a distant dream, but my tutor, Roisin Malone, convinced me to give it a go."

“The course is manageable.   It is taught in blocks, so you are building on your knowledge all the time. Both Restart and Access are designed for adult returners, so the tutors know everyone is juggling a host of different commitments.  There is a lot of flexibility and support."  

“My children love the fact that I have gone back to learn at college.   When they are revising or doing their homework, they will ask me to revise or study with them.   They have been able to help me with the maths and I have been able to help them too."

"This first year has flown by – I have been studying sociology, biology and maths.  I also was awarded an Excellence Award for Students’ Union Rep of  the Year, something I never thought I would ever do, let alone get recognised for. I am already looking forward to September.  Right now I am thinking of staying on at SERC to complete an HNC in Applied Science, which could take me into the second year of a degree course at university, but I am keeping my options open.  You can take different pathways with Access, and I found I really enjoy the science - I would love to work in the role of a lab technician or something similar."

 “School didn’t work for me, and I cannot believe how far I have come in the last two years with SERC.   For anyone coming from the same position, I’d tell them to give Restart or Access a go - come along to an open day and meet the tutors and find out more about what you can do.  You just take one day at a time and then, before you know it, you are finished the year.   Ballynahinch and Newcastle Campuses are smaller, parking is easy, and the classes are taught in a small group, so you don’t feel overwhelmed.”