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I used the Individual Learning Plan to keep on track to reach each milestone in the time I needed to reach it in - Emma Day

I just want to start by saying that I am so grateful to DistanceLearningCentre.com for giving me this opportunity and broadening my horizons, allowing and helping me to begin this journey of realising my academic potential.

I had my first child when I was 18, I was hoping to go to university but I put those dreams on hold to ensure I could provide for my son by working full time. I've since had a daughter and again put my dream of going to university on hold but still longed for the chance to be able to achieve what I know I'm capable of. Working full time to support my family has been my only choice for the last 12 years, and I'd looked into going to college on numerous occasions but could never afford to leave work, but then I found DistanceLearningCentre.com ... And the rest they say, is history!

I won't say it was easy, far from it in fact. But the tutors and course materials where so helpful and supportive, they made sure I had all I needed to succeed. I used the ILP to constantly keep on track to reach each milestone in the time I needed to reach it in. I only started in October so I was dubious if I could complete within 8 months in time for June moderation. I actually achieved this in less than 6.

I'm so proud of how far I have come, I've pushed myself so hard I now know that I'm more than prepared for university in September. I applied to study Computing Bsc at Edge Hill and thanks to brilliant guidance from my tutor at the time, my application was accepted straight away!

I still can't quite believe it. So I just want to say this, if you're thinking of starting to study with DistanceLearningCentre.com, don't hesitate, just do it. You won't be sorry, and you will open doors to a better and brighter future for yourself. Thank you! (Jun 16)

June 2012 - Lisa Ashton

I have worked in many jobs that I never felt inspired in and wished that one day I could work in a job that I loved. After my grandfather passed away I promised myself that I would re-train and become a Midwife as this was the job I had always wanted to do. A Friend told me about DistanceLearningCentre.com, she said that it was a way of getting qualifications needed to get into university and I could do it all from home as I am a busy mum of four children.

I found the course quite daunting at first but the tutors were always there to lend a hand with weekly phone calls and regular e-mails to check progress and give advice, and before I knew it I was half way through the course. I did find it hard juggling the children and coursework but found that as soon as they were all in bed I had a number of hours to concentrate and complete all the work needed.

After applying to a number of Universities to get on their Midwifery course I was disheartened not to receive a place, but this did not stop me I applied to go into nursing and was lucky to get an acceptance at a University on an Adult Nursing degree. I know that it will take me longer to become a midwife but I will get there in the future I am determined. If you are thinking of doing one of DistanceLearningCentre.com's access courses my advice would be 'go for it', it will give you the skills and confidence to go back into education and get the career that you have always wanted to do.

June 2012 - Serena Bucys

I have always wanted a career in healthcare, I looked into starting University but would not be considered as my A levels were over 5 years old and I needed recent study. When I rang Salford University they recommended DistanceLearningCentre.com. From there I started the Access to Midwifery course in August 2011.

I had left college in 2003 and had not done any study since, doing the course has given me an insight into what I can now expect at University as I have been offered a conditional place at Salford University this September. I would have liked to have gone to my local college to study but this wasn't possible as I could not give up work. The course has been tough and I have had to spend every spare minute on the assessments, especially towards the end as I only got my conditional offer at the end of March and I still had a lot to do to complete for June moderation.

My advice would be to take the full 12 months to complete the course and read through all the induction and handbook information fully, I only found out about DistanceLearningCentre.com courses at the end of July and only really started the main assessments in September after completing all the induction work in the August. Then it's all happened really fast attending open days at universities and applying through UCAS.

I did the level 2 English, Maths and IT because my GCSEs were achieved over 10 years ago in 2001, this added to the amount of work that needed to be completed, it also took me a while to get into study again and I found that I was a third of the way through before I started to get used to it all. I have really enjoyed learning again and although I have found the course extremely hard work and challenging I am proud of what I have achieved and in a way will miss acquiring all the knowledge that I have been doing for the last 9 months.

June 2012 - Amy Cox

I have been trying to get a place on a midwifery course for the last 3 years now, and although I worked hard at school and got good grades, I took an entirely different career path to start with so I had no science or social science qualifications.

I found out about DistanceLearningCentre.com on a student midwife forum, asked a few of the girls about it, and then emailed for more information. The Access to Midwifery was affordable, and seemed 'doable' and as I needed it, I went for it!

It hasn't been easy, and there are many times when I've wanted to throw my computer at the wall, but my tutors were incredibly supportive ? no question was too daft for them to answer, and there was always a friendly voice at the end of the phone whenever needed, and someone ready to respond to endless emails of "I'm never gonna do this!".

I have to be honest, I lost faith half way through my course and let the work slide, and it wasn't until I got my conditional offer of a place to study midwifery that I suddenly sat up and realised I needed to get my rear end in motion! You definitely need to have motivation and support to do this course, but I've found it to be interesting and challenging, and currently I have the grades to fulfil the conditions of my offer, so will be starting down my dream career path this September!

June 2012 - Deborah Wallwork

It all started for me in 2008 when I had my first Reiki treatment. From there I went on to do my studies and become a Reiki Master. During that period, I really found who I was and what I wanted out of life and that was to do Mental Health Nursing, which brought me to DistanceLearningCentre.com as I did not have any A-levels, having left school and going straight into work as a legal secretary. Furthermore, my GCSEs were over 10 years old however that wasn't a problem as DistanceLearningCentre.com offered level 2 within the Access course.

I read forums and comments about DistanceLearningCentre.com before signing up which led me to take the plunge with no regrets. DistanceLearningCentre.com have been brilliant and without them I wouldn't be waiting to start University of Manchester in September 2012. I'm not really sure where I am going after university, the Army being an option, however I know that I want to integrate Reiki and the other therapies that I do into mental health nursing and bring more of a holistic slant to my work as a mental health nurse. A post-grad in psychotherapy is also an option for me now.

So here goes, my journey continues to grow and I just want to thank DistanceLearningCentre.com for making it possible. If anybody out there is unsure what route or path to take, just follow your gut instinct and what you truly want to do and if it is to take up an Access course, I would definitely recommend that you take it with DistanceLearningCentre.com.