
“I’m currently halfway through my Social Media Marketing Level 3 course with Open Study College. Although this is my first distance learning course with OSC, I have achieved a Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health and recently finished the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing with Google acquiring a Certificate from Google on the subject. I have young kids to look after and need to keep up with school runs and all the responsibilities of being a parent, however, I feel I am not limited to working on my personal growth thanks to distance learning and really wanted to prove that I could still achieve and grow academically.”

“I retired a couple of years ago and soon realised that I wanted to do something to prevent myself from feeling bored at home. I thought about a complete change in career and considered bookkeeping, as I knew that I wanted to work from home. I haven’t experienced any challenges with remote learning. What’s challenging is picking up a completely different subject, not so much the distance learning aspect. Open Study College provides a dedicated online tutor that I can contact with queries or for support at any time; so far it’s all going smoothly!"

“This is my first time studying via distance learning. I currently live in Guatemala City and the A Level education I require is not available here, so I had to find a different way to continue my education. The answer has been to learn with Open Study College. I’m about a quarter of the way through most of my courses as I only started in October. I fit my studies around my greatest passions, dancing, singing and acting, and my plan after completing my OSC courses is to hopefully obtain a scholarship and apply to a musical theatre university.”

“I decided that distance learning was ideal for me for a few key reasons. As I have been out of education for quite a long time, the flexibility Open Study College offers to do the whole course in my own time means that I can pinpoint areas that I knew would struggle with from the get-go, and pay extra attention to them from the start. I also work full-time, so being able to study after work means I can fit this around my life without disruption to my primary routine or current earnings (the mortgage would not be loving that!). Another main reason I chose to learn with Open Study College is because I have quite a few anxiety issues and the idea of spending time with a group trying to learn the material may be somewhat overwhelming for someone in my position."

“Distance learning gives me the flexibility to combine further study with the things I enjoy doing in my free time, as I’m committed to keeping fit, participating regularly in swimming, running, boxing, triathlons and ultra marathons. More importantly I’m able to study around family time and commitments. I have three children, two of which are working and my youngest is studying for GCSEs.”

“As I already have a full-time job, it would also have meant having to take time off work, which isn’t ideal. Completing a distance learning course with Open Study College has enabled me to work flexibly around my job, my social schedule, and my hobbies. I spend a lot of my spare time knitting and am currently creating a Halloween outfit for my fiancé. I’ve already managed to incorporate elements of the project management principles I’ve learned on the course in my day-to-day work activities, and one day my goal is to become a project manager or progress into a role where project management would be one of my key responsibilities."

“I was working full time and was unable to commit to a course that demanded full-time hours, so Open Study College was the perfect opportunity for me. I enjoyed the ease of distance learning and the fact that it can be done in my own time. There are no lessons, and I can work at my own pace. My tutor was exceptionally supportive. He helped me achieve a distinction and applied literally no pressure; he was really easy going but still made some very helpful suggestions for me to improve my grade."

“So far, I have studied two courses and completed both Level 3 Counselling and Level 4 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Open Study College. Now I have my certificates, I can join the ACCPH (Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists) website and follow my dreams of becoming a counsellor. Distance learning was the only option for me as a mother with two children. My passion and first priority will always be my family. I absolutely love spending my time with them, so distance learning meant that I could study during periods when my family are busy too, for example studying while the kids are at school and nursery suited me perfectly."

“Open Study College offered me great flexibility to work alongside my studies. This balance ensured that I was growing both academically but also gaining essential on-the-job practical experience, which is really important for my future. Whilst studying I was a support worker for people with Down’s Syndrome. I work for a charity called Project 21 who run activities, clubs and events for people with Down’s Syndrome. Thanks to OSC, I’m now working full-time in my chosen career, working with individuals with learning disabilities.”

"Open Study College has helped me so much. They are always there for me even if it is to simply have a chat. They have kept me focused and even got me out of a really dark place when I hit rock bottom. My mental health took a turn for the worse, so I came to OSC for help and started studying. I really do thank them so much for that!"