Day in the Life: Access to Higher Education students

Three of our Access to Higher Education students have given us an honest snapshot into their day, including their time spent at EKC Ashford College. Their experiences showcase their hard work and dedication to prepare for university while continuing an adult schedule. 

Numa, Kamala and Mtanda are different ages and come from various backgrounds, but they come together for the same purpose; to gain a qualification as a next step towards university.  

Morning routines 

Numa occassionally picks up a morning shift doing community work at her care home job. She finishes the one-hour shift to make it on time for a 9.00am start. 

Kamala works full-time in the evening so relaxes while eating breakfast in the morning before coming straight to the College. 

Mtanda, who currently works part-time at a school, work at her employment to organise the breakfast shift each morning before heading to EKC Ashford College for the beginning of the three-day Access to Higher Education course. 

Time to study 

Students are in class three days a week, starting at 9.00am and finishing at either 12.00pm or 3.00pm, depending on the day. 

Kamala, who dreams of working as a radiographer, said: “They teach us the same way we will be taught at university. When I go to uni, I will have a lot of knowledge and know exactly how to do my assignments, like researching and how to use e-books. I’m genuinely very happy with the course.” 

Throughout the year, College staff build up students’ knowledge and confidence starting from the basics, right to getting them university-ready. This includes finding resources, citing texts and other references, debating topics, and working on long-term projects. 

Mtanda would like to work as a psychologist in the future, especially working with children.  

She said: “They always say, ‘If you need help, we can help you,’ but I didn’t understand what they meant at first. Now I know, when they say ‘help,’ it’s proper help. It’s not just to tell you what to do, but it’s to sit down next to you.” 

Ending the day 

Several Access to Higher Education students, including Mtanda and Numa, utilise the E-Hub after class to continue their studies and complete assignments on-site.  

The work-study-life balance can be a challenge, but each student finds ways to fit it into their schedule. Mtanda leaves thirty minutes early from class each day to travel to work, but returns to EKC Ashford College after 6.00pm to study on-site. 

Kamala, who works at a restaurant full-time, finishes work after 10.00pm and completes her assignments afterwards.  

She said: “I finish assignments after work or on my days off. If I’m not able to finish my assignments, I can ask my tutors for extensions. I’ve done it recently. They are very supportive and understanding. They tell us to ask for help.” 

Numa studies in our E-Hub and then heads to the gym or visits her friends. 

Their hard work over the course of the year has paid off, as Numa and Kamala have already received several conditional offers to go to university in the autumn. 

Mtanda, who was unsure about attending university, has gained confidence over the last few months and plans to submit a late application to university.  

Do you need the confidence, skills boost, and correct qualification to apply for university? Explore our Access to Higher Education courses for adult students.