Claire Kettlewell

When I first came to the open evening I was nervous as I didn't know what to expect, but I was thrilled by the warm welcome and the understanding tutors. They took the time to talk through my options, what they gave me that evening has stayed with me- even now.

Why did you choose to study at Kendal College?

I chose to study Access to Higher Education in Health and Human Sciences, as I decided this course was a great way to give me the opportunity to move on to other options like university. I have severe dyslexia and so found my school years difficult, so I did care work with disabled children, and had my own children. This helped my decision to go down the Health and Human Sciences route. When I first came to the open evening I was nervous, as I didn't know what to expect, but I was thrilled by the warm welcome and the understanding tutors. They took the time to talk through my options, what they gave me that evening has stayed with me even now.

What did you learn and enjoy during your time at college?

The college was fab and I would highly recommend it to anyone, whether you’re first leaving secondary school, or returning as a mature student; the support, welcome and warmth is fab! I enjoyed meeting new people, and finding new skills, like writing essays. The tutors are experts- helpful, supportive and enthusiastic. The course covers a lot of theory, but also includes practical elements particularly within the Anatomy and Physiology unit. The course helped to continue to build my confidence, with the help and support of the tutors. They encouraged me to push myself and improve every time with my assignments.

What opportunities did you have as a student at the college?

Being in a relaxed, but informative environment gave me the opportunity to use my imagination and be creative with my writing skills. I especially enjoyed my final topic. We were given an extended research project and we got to choose the subject, and were taught how to research it and then present it. We also had the opportunity to work within the Colleges’ Science Lab termly, which supported us with projects and gave us experience of working within a real working environment.

Can you describe a typical day at College?

College started at 9am. I had a lesson with a tutorial with the rest of my group, where the tutor led us through the assignments. Some days we had a workshop with the tutor to work through the assignments, read over our work and give us feedback. After lunch we changed tutors and generally worked on a different subject for example Anatomy & Physiology.

What experiences have you had since leaving college?

I completed my Occupational Therapy degree at the University of Cumbria based in Lancaster. I had a placement in a pediatric community setting, working in the Preston area, that I really enjoyed. I also worked through a research project around stroke rehab and mental well-being of stroke patients, and I got the chance to attend the College of Occupational Therapy conference in Birmingham with lectures and other members of the student bodies.

If you could give one piece of advice to people considering College, what would it be?

Do it! The college was instrumental in building my confidence and helping me with my dyslexia. The tutors are always there to listen and help. The relaxed yet encouraging environment creates the perfect place to push yourself, yet still offering amazing support.