Picking up an award for her hard work and determination was a proud moment for former Stockton Riverside College student Samantha.

Having left school without any qualifications, the 28-year-old from Thornaby said: “I have never won anything like this before, certainly not for education.”

But graduating from university this summer and starting a new job, Samantha has learnt how a return to your studies can help turn your life around.

For Samantha, and her family, seeing her named among the winners at the One Awards Access to Higher Education Awards 2021, was the cherry on the cake!

Never the biggest fan of schoolwork, looking back, she said: “It never really occurred to me that you had to work hard for the nice things in life.  As a child, you just grow up thinking you will have all those things.  A nice house and a nice car, you just take it for granted.”

It turns out, moving out of home at 18, life wasn’t quite as glamorous as she had always expected.

But fast forward 10 years and Samantha hardly recognises herself from the girl she once was.

She puts the transformation down to returning to college as an adult learner, choosing an Access to Higher Education course at Stockton Riverside College.

“Going back into education changed me as a person,” said Samantha. “Seeing nice people and wanting to work hard, changed my perspective on everything.”

While she admits that it was hard work, the tutors not only supported her through the academic side of the course, but also helped motivate her when any doubts crept in.

In fact, it was her tutor, Marie Andrews, who nominated Samantha for the prestigious award given by One Awards, the Access to HE qualification’s awarding body.

Now with a degree in crime and investigation and starting work as a forensic health care assistant with the NHS, she believes her own experiences will give her the empathy and understanding to support others.

“I still feel shocked. There was a time when I had no confidence, I never would have believed I would be where I am today,” she said.

“One thing I have learned is that you have to do things for yourself. It is well worth all the effort.”

To find out more about the Access to Higher Education courses at Stockton Riverside College visit: Access to Higher Education | Stockton Riverside College