To demonstrate just how proud we all are of your success, we have created the Awards of Achievement, which are awarded annually to our ten most oustanding students.
The winners get back half the cost of their course fees!
Fab5 Award Winner 2015 - Phil Poskitt
Having been out of education for more than 5 years, I felt a little anxious about getting back into studying. It took me a lot of time & thought to decide on what I wanted to do as a career. After much research and experience through volunteering, I aspired to study Paramedicine at University.
I had applied previously to study Paramedicine at University; unfortunately I wasn't successful. My feedback was due to not having recent evidence of academic study and a lack of relevant experience. I knew a lot about the role & had met with several Paramedics to talk about their career? but universities really wanted to know that I would be able to fulfil this role, that I was a mature & responsible person, caring, compassionate and had the ability to cope with the possible stresses of a highly demanding course.
Over the last year, I gained a whole wealth of experience through a range of voluntary positions; I also started & completed my Access to HE Diploma (Nursing, Midwifery & Healthcare Professions) through DistanceLearningCentre.com. I only have great things to say about them. All of the staff have been incredibly friendly & helpful, the other students have been great to talk with, and most importantly - the course has been enjoyable all the way. Not only have I thoroughly enjoyed taking this course & learnt a wealth of information (on top of full-time work & volunteering), this course has helped me to secure a place at university for September this year. My aspirations have finally become real!
...And to those thinking that they could never go back to doing a course (to further themselves academically or to help achieve their aspirations of a particular career), it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. All I can say is a big thank you to everyone! (Jun 15)
Jan 2017 update: Phil is in his final year of his Paramedic Practice course at Sheffield Hallam University. He only has a couple more weeks of the actual university aspect of things; then only a period of placement to get his hours up before signing off as a qualified Paramedic under registration of the HCPC!
Phil's pure passion and interest in prehospital care has led him to specialise in the areas he enjoys the most. He is now working towards achieving a Diploma in 12-Lead ECG Interpretation with the SCST (Society for Cardiological Science & Technology). He has also recently been asked to go back to Sheffield Hallam as a qualified Paramedic to assist in teaching the ECG modules.
Fab5 Award Winner 2015 - Nicola Theaker
After discovering that my qualifications were too archaic to apply for a midwifery degree, I found the DistanceLearningCentre.com website. The home page and information was easy to follow, offered the course I needed and listed all the universities that had accepted their students; I quickly applied.
Despite the warm welcome, the Access Course has been no easy task. The depth and breadth needed for good grades was challenging but it encourages study and research to a high level which I was fascinated with. The tutors' encouragement and support enables you to build confidence, a learning style and deal with personal crises or academic struggles. And when they are not there at 2am and weekends, the forum is brimming with topics and students helping each other. Help with UCAS was also an invaluable part of the package.
I found keeping a routine of learning and producing assignments along with weekly tutor contact got me through the tough level 3 assessments enabling me to achieve a complete distinction portfolio and offers from the universities I applied to. I have learnt a great deal about myself as a learner as well as the subjects.
I would recommend DistanceLearningCentre.com to anyone who asks and say 'Don't wait'. Life throws all sorts at you; it did to me, as well as looking after 3 young children which necessitated mainly late night studies. Planning in rest and catch up days meant a study/life balance that was manageable whilst achieving my aspirations! (Jun 15)
Nov 2017 update: I am now a 3rd year midwifery student at the University of Central Lancashire. The course is interesting as it uses Case Based Learning (CBL) to teach, which means that different topics are introduced and a scenario including elements of the topic is 'revealed'. The course is 50/50 uni and placement time, arranged in blocks. I really love my time out on placements, the people I have cared for are amazing, the mentors are lovely pacing learning which promotes skills and knowledge. Some days (night shifts) are mega busy.
I still do a lot of study into the night after the kids are in bed, sustained by coffee, but that can wait; I'm loving it and the end of the course is in sight. Pursue your dreams - I have and so glad I took this path. The DistanceLearningCentre.com support really prepared me for the studying.
My tutors were encouraging, inspirational and believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself - Olivia Edkins
Fab5 Award Nominee
Before I started the Access to HE Diploma in Psychology, I was going through some personal difficulties, including anxiety, and my future had seemed very uncertain. As a result of this, it made it inconvenient to take up a HE diploma at an actual college, so I opted for distance learning. It had been over two years since I had written an essay in English, much less one at this level, and DistanceLearningCentre.com allowed flexibility in study, self-paced learning and constant support from great and accomplished tutors! Without the face-to-face interaction and immediate guidance within a learning environment, it was essential to have a high level of commitment and self-motivation.
The entire experience has really helped me with my confidence and self-discipline. I learnt how to work very independently, whilst balancing up my academic studies with other demands.
Initially I lacked confidence in my abilities, therefore working well up until each deadline, feeling as if I would never be able to achieve the grades I needed in order to be accepted into university. However, after the first three assessments I progressed significantly and I started to feel more confident, over-coming my constant self-esteem. But the resources and support I was given were brilliant, as my tutors were encouraging, inspirational and believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself.
I am now heading off to Nottingham in September to start my BSc in Psychology. All thanks to DistanceLearningCentre.com! (Nov 14)
An amazing opportunity considering my not so well executed secondary school days - Phoebe Parry
I decided at the beginning of 2013 that I wanted to pursue my dream in midwifery; with a full time job that I needed to keep for financial reasons, DistanceLearningCentre.com offered me an amazing opportunity.
With a non-pressured financial plan put into place I started my Access to Midwifery course in December 2013 and needed to moderate in 10 months. At first I thought it was impossible but with the incredible support and occasional push in the right direction by my guardian angels (my two tutors), I finished with two days to spare! The course was at times a little challenging and you have days where you feel like giving up, but once you take a deep breath and speak to your tutors you find yourself breezing through units that you once upon a time may have winced at the thought of!
It is important to stay motivated and think of your end goal; completing a course with DistanceLearningCentre.com was the best thing I have ever done. I have learnt things that I never thought possible considering my not so well executed secondary school days. I am now striving to start university in March 2015 and without DistanceLearningCentre.com I would never have been able to do so. I would recommend them to anybody, especially if you have personal commitments and no option to study full time. It has opened up the doors to my future, I cannot thank you all enough! (Nov 14)
Positive feedback from the other students is what made me decide to study with DistanceLearningCentre.com - Nikki Bond
After having my children I decided that I wanted to become a midwife, only the grades I had from school just wasn't good enough for me to apply for university. I researched to find out how I could study to become one, the positive feedback from the other students is what made me decide to study with DistanceLearningCentre.com.
With DistanceLearningCentre.com, I was able to retake my GCSE's alongside the access to midwifery diploma. I was able to pay monthly which meant I didn't have to find the funds upfront and I could work it around my family commitments. Independent learning worked for me as I was able to study when it suited me, I had my tutors on hand if I needed them and could complete it from home anytime of the day.
Through each step I have had amazing support and have worked so hard, I have had such an amazing experience, all my tutors have been fantastic! I would definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking to further their education. (Jun 15)
