“If you’re thinking about distance learning then I’d say do it. Learn a new skill – especially in this period of uncertainty. Upskilling yourself is the best way to thrive, both personally and professionally!”
Imuetinyan, 30, London
Imuetinyan has just completed his Counselling Level 3 course through Open Study College with the hope to pursue a career helping people in the future.
He said: “In my professional life, I have always worked with young people and vulnerable adults. This is a great passion of mine and one that I strengthened by completing my Counselling Level 3 course with Open Study College.
“This course was a way to enhance my communication skills and learn how to support my clients in the best way possible. This course will also be necessary to further assist me in pursuing a career in the counselling industry.
“I was employed whilst I was studying with OSC, and this is why I opted for a distance learning course in the first place; it was so much more convenient for me at the time.
“I have always struggled with the pressures of the classroom environment, so I thoroughly enjoyed the independence I was given with this route of learning. Easing myself into the course was the best thing for me, not to mention having access to great resources that I could read and understand in my own time.”
Explaining some of the challenges he’s overcome, Imuetinyan, also offers some advice to people considering distance learning: “There can be a lot of content to digest at times, and writing the essays using the correct referencing of the content is definitely what I found was most challenging; however, it’s also taught me so much and was most useful. Along the way, I always had the help and support from Open Study College and my tutor.
“If you’re thinking about distance learning, then I’d say do it. Learn a new skill, especially in this period of uncertainty. Upskilling yourself is the best way to thrive both personally and professionally!”