@ £ £ £ i P 3

Loughborough College is closed from 5pm on Thursday 28th March and will reopen on Tuesday 2nd April 2024. If you are a student and require urgent help during this period, you do not need to be alone

GCSE success at Loughborough College ensures degree is in sight for Jeni

Posted: 31st August 2019 - 12:25pm

GCSE success has ensured Jeni Brookman is taking a step closer to achieving her degree ambitions and a career supporting children in need.

Jeni, 32, has been working five jobs while studying on a university access course alongside her English and maths GCSEs at the College. “I definitely learnt how to juggle.

“I’ve been part time at a restaurant and in an office as well as coaching children in a range of sports. I’ve worked with young people for more than 15 years. I see first hand how hard it is to be a teenager in this day and age and I decided I would like to find a route to helping where I can.

“The team at Loughborough College has been amazing. Seeing how they supported us and look out for students of all ages really inspired me.

“I have cared so much more as a mature student than when I was at school. I knew I couldn’t face picking up my results alone, so I went along with a friend, Sian. We enrolled together and spent the year together.

“That morning I felt every minute ticking by. It was a constant rollercoaster of emotion. When the exams staff are looking through the envelopes it seems to go on forever. After it was handed to me I went outside. I just needed space. I felt nervous and sick. Then I saw 5 in English and 3 in maths and was flooded with relief. Sian smashed her English so I was thrilled for her.

“I hadn’t sat an exam since I was 16 so that was hard – but I wouldn’t hesitate in encouraging other people to do this. So many adults are scared to go back into education but it is not scary, it’s empowering. It’s never too late to do what you want.

“Everything has changed. I feel as if I am not in limbo any more. These results mean I’m a step closer to my dream. After another year at Loughborough College studying Access to Social Sciences and maths, I aim to go to Sheffiled Hallam for a degree in Education with Psychology and Counselling.

“Those moments discovering my results were when my life was transformed.”

Pictured: Jeni Brookman (left) with fellow Loughborough College GCSE student Sian Felton