Having failed the 11+ exams at school, OU alumna Jean Woodward always believed she was worth more. It wasn’t until her fifties, when Jean enrolled with the OU, that she was finally able to prove that she was correct.

“I began my journey towards a degree when my son was studying for his GCSEs,” explains Jean. “I decided to take a literature class at college to help understand and motivate his studies. I was lucky enough to have a wonderful teacher who opened the door to the joys of structured study. I followed this with an A Level in Literature and History.

“My success gave me the first, unformulated, feeling that I could take my studies further and certainly, the thought of taking a degree course was 'the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow'.”

Investing in herself

When a work colleague discussed her own Open University degree course, Jean realised it was the chance she had been waiting for. Now in her fifties, she enrolled for an BA (Hons) Open Degree, focusing on modules that explored her favourite subjects of literature and history.

“I took that first step with absolutely no confidence and felt very much a 'fish out of water' until I was embraced by the OU family.”

For the first half of her degree, Jean was working full-time in a role which was miles away from the world of her studies: “My degree was like a secret life that inspired, fulfilled and opened my mind. I hugged it to myself.”

Sadly, Jean’s studies came to an abrupt halt when her husband was diagnosed with cancer.

“After a period of treatment, I tried briefly to return but the cancer returned, and I suppose I felt that it wasn’t meant to be. It wasn't until I retired and, sadly lost my husband that I realised that my degree option had only a few years to run and that is when the dream returned.”

After several years of hard work, Jean completed her degree aged 72 and says the realisation that she had done it took quite a while to sink in. Reflecting on her degree ceremony, Jean says it was a day which she shall remember for the rest of her life. 

Gaining support from her family

“I felt very emotional, sitting with hundreds of fellow students, from all walks of life who had been on the same journey as me; all of us connected by this thirst for knowledge and achievement. I thought of my own journey, of my lovely family supporting me and of those I had lost on the way. I thought of my son who had been unfailingly supportive and whose 'I'm proud of you Mum' meant so much.”

“I was also very touched by the reaction of my family. Upon completing my degree, my 98-year-old mother was so proud; she telephoned every member of our extended family and told them, much to my chagrin!”

Jean at her OU degree ceremony with her proud son. 

‘Don’t be afraid’

As Jean is retired, her degree hasn’t led to a new career, however, it has changed her outlook and her confidence: 

“The confidence it has given me in my daily interaction and my sense of self,

the way I view the world, the way I approach reading a book or watching a play, has added an immeasurable richness to my life and cannot be properly quantified.”

“To anyone like me, who lacked confidence and felt that they had not achieved their potential I would say, ‘Don't be afraid, there are such riches to be found in a return to education’. The OU is a family and will support you; just take that first step.”