Meet our graduates — Sarah Lloyd
Sarah graduated from the University of Leeds in 2021 with a BA in Professional Studies before moving on to study for an MA in Social Research.
From tragedy to opportunity
My journey in higher education actually started a few years before I first visited the University.
I was already teaching knife crime awareness through lived experience, after losing my 17 year-old son to murder in February 2013 and beginning a lifelong vocation to create social change. A colleague suggested I go to university to learn how to teach, which planted a seed.
An opportunity to find out more presented itself when I was able to visit the University in my capacity as a volunteer health champion, accompanying a group of local parents who staff from the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) had invited onto campus to see what educational opportunities were available to them.
We participated in a couple of taster sessions on what university life had to offer to adult learners, and the alternative entry pathways which exist for mature students who don’t have ‘traditional’ qualifications like A Levels.
We also visited the Brotherton Library — I immediate fell in love with the place, and decided there and then that I wanted to study at Leeds!
A particular eye-opener was learning more about where mature students stand financially, as growing up I’d been led to believe university education was only accessible to wealthier people. Once I knew it was financially possible, I knew that I at least had to apply.
Within weeks I had taken tests at the LLC to check my level of English and Maths, completed their KickStart programme and enrolled on the part-time Preparation for Higher Education (PHE) course. I was so excited — and nervous — at the prospect of being able to go to university. It all felt a bit surreal!
New perspectives, new challenges
Soon after starting PHE it became clear that I was going to find university life extremely challenging, and would be pushed to my limits if I was to achieve what I’d set out to do — gaining the academic standing alongside my lived experience to enhance the work in violence reduction that was so important to me.
I found myself challenging my own thinking and looking at a lot of things differently — the PHE course challenged all my beliefs, and completely altered my mindset.
I had to rearrange my whole life and make personal sacrifices to study, but was supported every step of the way by the excellent academic and pastoral teams at the LLC and across the wider University, as well as at Leeds University Union.
As an undergraduate student on the Professional Studies BA I seized an opportunity to spend a year in enterprise, an achievement I’m extremely proud of as there was stiff competition for places.
The year started with an amazing ‘business bootcamp’ in China, memories of which will stay with me forever — embracing the culture and experiencing university life in Beijing, as well as walking the Great Wall and visiting the Forbidden City.
Making the leap
My advice to anyone considering university later in life is 100% to go for it!
At Leeds you’ll become part of an amazing, diverse community with incredible work and social opportunities both on and off-campus. I grabbed University life with both hands and fell in love with education, the campus and the global culture.
Set yourself small achievable goals along the way, celebrate those achievements and share your anxieties with your peers — many of whom will be feeling the same way — as well as with your tutors.
Keep reminding yourself about your graduation ceremony and it will make all the blood, sweat and tears worthwhile. Believe me I’ve never felt such pride in myself as I did when walking across the stage in the Great Hall in my graduation gown — I’m not ashamed to admit I shed a tear or two!
After graduation
For the last year or so I’ve been based at Nexus at the University, where I run Heartspoken. My company delivers knife crime awareness sessions across secondary schools in West Yorkshire, as part of the ‘Positive Choices’ violence reduction initiative delivered through the Leeds United Foundation.
The University has also supported me in producing an e-book, also available as an audiobook produced by Tell Studio. I’ve developed a close relationship with the people at Tell, who I’m also working with to produce a documentary on knife crime that young people will be able to engage with outside of the expensive initiatives that not all schools have access to.
I use my book as a learning resource within schools to help young people understand the impact of traumatic grief, with the audio version being available to listen to for free on YouTube.
Learning for life
I’ve taken full advantage of opportunities to remain part of the University community, attending seminars and social functions as well as just dropping by the LLC to say hello.
I’ve worked on campus in many ‘ambassador’ roles and have made some amazing friends from all over the world, gaining a further appreciation for other cultures.
That’s not to say I’m done with learning though! In fact, I’m about to embark on a new academic journey as a postgraduate student studying for a Social Research MA with the School of Sociology and Social Policy at Leeds. My ambition, ultimately, is to complete a PhD in the same area.
I’m filled with excitement, and anxiety, but my journey as a postgraduate begins in the confidence that the help and support I need along the way will be there if I ask for it — as it will be for you too if you decide to study here.
To find out more about your options for studying at university as a mature student, at Leeds or elsewhere, why not get in touch with us?
