Burnley student shares benefits of returning to study

Aicha Khan is currently in Year 2 of the BA (Hons) Children, Schools and Families after completing the Foundation Entry Health and Social Care course and credits the course with some big improvements in her life from growing in confidence to becoming a better parent.

When talking about her motivation to come to university, Aicha explains, “I initially joined with an idea of either becoming a nurse or a teacher, but teaching was what I thought I wanted the most.

After completing the one Foundation Entry Health and Social Care course, Aicha progressed onto the three-year BA (Hons) Children, Schools and Families degree.

During the Foundation Year, we were introduced to all the subject areas that were available, but it was the course leader for Children, Schools and Families that really sold the course – it sounded perfect for me. One of the good things about the foundation year was it gave me time to make the right choice about the course I would go on to.”

Talking about returning to education as a mature student, Aicha commented, “I didn’t go to college after school as I started a family quite young. I had kept busy with volunteering which I’d been able to fit around being a mother. I’d done catering, admin, teaching assistant, and anything else I could to get some experience. My children are now 11 and 7 so where they were both at school, I started to look at courses for me to get my career going”

“Somebody suggested university, but I wasn’t sure. However, I came to an open event and pretty much signed up there and then because I was so convinced by the tutors. I always had the ambition to go to university but never thought I’d be able to.”

“I live in Burnley so having the campus here is really convenient for me. I wasn’t sure I’d have the grades needed to get onto the course, but the foundation year was available to me. I’m really glad I did the foundation year because he helped me pick the course that was right for me and it helped me get used to studying at this level. The support with things like researching and referencing have helped me, and my grades are getting better and better as a result.”

When talking about the BA (Hons) Children, Schools and Families course, Aicha talks about the wide range of opportunities available to students after graduation, “if you are unsure which area you want to work in, this gives you a broad understanding of children, the services available and policies in place. I know I have so many skills and the knowledge to go in so many different directions where I can work with children and their families.”

One surprising benefit was the way it has positively impacted her parenting style. Aicha explains, “In the child development module, I learnt about how children sooth themselves and I better understand some of my own children’s habits. I’ve also changed the way I speak to my children in different situations. It also really helped me learn how to best support my son that transitioned from primary school to high school by knowing how to talk through the changes. It’s really helped me become a better parent.”

Aicha Khan, BA (Hons) Children, Schools and Families student

Aicha highlights the importance of taking advantage of the opportunities available at university, “last year I was the course rep and become a student ambassador. This year I am the School President for the School of Social Work, Care and Community – and that was the first time a UCLan Burnley student had been a School President!”

“These opportunities have helped my confidence so much. Whilst I know how important it is to have a degree, it’s the life experiences that really count! My life experiences are really helping with this course because I can relate to so much of what we are learning about.”

“I worked hard to make an impact as the course rep in year 1 and was encouraged to run for president by my lecturers and the SU rep. To become School President, I had to campaign and publish a manifest. I wasn’t sure I’d get many votes, but I was really surprised but delighted when I was elected.”

Talking about the campaign, she explains, “I made promises that I knew I could keep. I wanted to improve communication between lecturers and course reps; give Burnley campus more exposure, get more activities at the Burnley SU and continue to support students that need help. I feel that I’ve already made progress on all of them.”

Other benefits to this role include being on the Student Council which looks at Big Idea improvements that the university can implement to improve the student experience and being involved in the recent recruitment of the UCLan SU Chief Executive.

Talking about the overall impact of her experience at UCLan, Aicha explained, “I’m like a different person now. People that haven’t seen me for a while don’t recognise me! I loved working as a Student Ambassador – I love it and it’s helped me realise just how many skills that I do have and how much I want a job helping people.”

Looking ahead, Aicha plans to focus on her studies in her final year but might look at one of the elected roles within the SU after her graduation.