After leaving school with one ‘O’ Level, Frances Diana Warr never could have imagined that she would go on to achieve two degrees and a Masters degree, let alone author her own academic book.

We caught up with Frances about studying and second chances. Here’s her story:

“Unlike many students who have little or no opportunities, my situation was quite the opposite. I attended a prestigious girls’ school which offered excellent educational prospects, yet due to my lack of enthusiasm and idleness, I failed to take advantage of this. I threw away the opportunities I was given and consequently, I left school with hardly any qualifications.

My parents were bitterly upset. As an only child they had such hopes for me. The more I looked back over the years, the more horrified I became!

I decided to make up for this later in life by completing my ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels. Then, after seeing an advertisement for The Open University on television, I finally decided to study for my degree in 1986. I was forty-five years old and studied over the next few years while I was working. I found it so enjoyable!

‘It was my second chance’

Though I didn’t find it overwhelming to balance study with work, I do remember an occasion in the 1980s when a television lecture was scheduled for 2am following a football match. Without any recording device, I stayed up to watch it, only to find that the programme was delayed following extra time and a penalty shootout. Is it any wonder that I developed a dislike of football after that?!

I always remember my very first OU tutor saying to the group, ‘just remember, you are doing it the hard way’, but by then I felt myself fortunate to have a second chance as a mature student to study for a BA (Hons) degree. When I completed my degree, I was grateful that my father was able to see me graduate, though sadly my mother died some years previously. Even this accomplishment did not make up for my earlier lack of achievement though, so I went on to study for a further BSc (Hons) degree, again with The Open University.

Making up for lost time

Later, and after retirement, I was accepted by The Open University to study for an MA, this time in British History. I felt that I could still achieve more academically and after studying with the OU before I felt it was the obvious way to proceed.

I completed my MA at 73 years of age. When I walked up onto the stage in Birmingham to collect my degree, I actually said out loud, ‘I did it, mother!’ Although I did this very late in my life I do hope that she would have been proud of me.

The course was so stimulating and fascinating that I decided to turn my dissertation into the basis for a book. My book, ‘Industry and Social Change in Nineteenth Century Coventry’ has now been published.

At the very top of my Acknowledgements page I spoke of my gratitude to my tutor Dr William Sheehan, of The Open University, who inspired me to write the book.

Throughout my studies, Dr Sheehan telephoned at regular intervals to check that I was progressing through the work, helping and guiding me. I knew that he was not just doing his job, but taking a genuine interest in my progress, giving me that extra impetus to succeed.

When I asked if he would accept a copy of my book, he was delighted. Thank you, Dr Sheehan and thank you OU!”