Unexpected Obstacles
“I was a full-time student but now I’m a carer for my mother, following complications with her back,” explains Christopher.
“Due to this, I had to stop going to college two years ago, so I could take care of her, maintain the upkeep of the house and help her with day-to-day tasks. Everyone else in the family was busy with work and/or education.”
Finding Clarity
“My mum’s back problems meant I was unable to continue with a conventional college education, which was super disheartening and disappointing. Fortunately, I used the inspiration of getting a good education to find an alternative: Oxbridge.”
“I love exercising and improving my body. It gives me a clear perspective on what’s actually important and what I should be focusing on.”
Often described by friends and family as driven, independent, and mature, Christopher also enjoys cooking for himself, “especially when it turns out well.”
Christopher is also a very driven individual, so he didn’t let his circumstances hold him back from completing his studies.
“When my mum became ill, I had obtained my GCSEs and already studied at my local college for a year.”
Christopher was studying A-level maths, further maths and computer science when his Mum fell ill.
Discovering Oxbridge
“I was looking for a good alternative to conventional college, as I wouldn’t be able to attend one. I realised that Oxbridge was the best option for me, as I needed plenty of flexibility in order to complete my studies successfully.”
Christopher’s routine includes cooking two meals a day for himself and his family, working out and doing the weekly shop. He also manages the upkeep of the house and takes care of the pets.
So, Christopher knew that if he was to return to college, he would need a course that could work around his other commitments.
“I’d wanted to continue with education, but because of my situation, I was unable to. Then, Oxbridge gave me the flexibility I needed to do so.”
“I was able to fit in my studying whenever I had some downtime, which was and is awesome!”
Our unlimited tutor support also proved to be very useful during Christopher’s studies.
“Whenever I questioned myself on whether the method I was applying was the correct one, I would always ask my tutor for their opinion. I knew I could rely on their feedback, and it was a massive boost of confidence.”
A Passionate Pupil
Having a natural affinity with a subject is great, but the passion to learn a subject, whether you’re new to studying it or experienced with it, is key. Christopher has always had a keen interest in Maths and enjoys the problem-solving element of it, which helps him to stay engaged with his course.
“I love maths. It’s a very passionate subject for me. Getting given a problem and being able to apply a logical method to it, in order to solve it is very satisfying for me!”
Measurable Motivation
Christopher always makes sure his goals for the future can be easily monitored, as he likes to keep an eye on how he is progressing.
“I always ensure that I set measurable goals for myself, such as aiming to get into a prestigious university for an accounting degree. That is my main goal, and since I know how far away it is, I can keep myself on track to reach that goal, but it also provides inspiration for me to keep going!”
By remaining focused on his goal throughout his studies, Christopher has also found that he has developed new skills, including improving his time management and independence.
“Setting time aside to solely study was a challenge for me, but I knew that I’d have to do that if I was going to get the results that I wanted. Commitment is key.”
Advice for Others
“Oxbridge is a fantastic education platform, but you need to make sure you apply yourself to your studies, as not even the best teacher can teach someone who isn’t willing to learn and work at 100%.”
“Also make sure you have a scientific calculator not sure if it was a suggestion on the website or not but having your own calculator that can be used in A-level is a must have!”
Next Steps
For Christopher, he’s pretty sure he knows what his next steps will be in terms of his education.
“I’d like to continue with my studies, so I can gain two more A-levels too. Then, I plan to go on to get an accounting degree at university!”
Are you looking for flexibility to complete your studies? Give one of our experienced learning advisers a call on 0121 630 3000 to find out more.