As A-Level results day arrives, students across Northern Ireland face the exciting yet daunting task of deciding their next steps. While many will follow traditional university routes, Hailee, a young woman from near Holywood, chose an alternative path that balances flexibility, passion, and practicality.
Hailee, now in her early 20s, vividly remembers the anticipation of her own A-Level results. “Receiving my A-Level results was a mix of excitement and anxiety,” she recalls. After completing her GCSEs and A-levels, she initially planned to attend Bangor University in Wales. However, her journey took an unexpected turn that led her to The Open University (OU), where she has just finished her first year of a BSc Combined STEM degree.
“I decided to take a gap year to travel Europe with my partner,” Hailee explains. “During that time, I realised I didn’t want to be confined to one place for the next 3-5 years. A friend of my mother studied with the OU, so I looked it up in my search for alternative universities. It seemed like the perfect fit - affordable, and very flexible.”
The flexibility of the OU has allowed Hailee to pursue her many diverse interests and work commitments. She juggles multiple jobs as a barista, support worker, content creator, and circus tutor for adults with learning disabilities. While in her free time she enjoys circus skills, sewing, crochet, travel, and climbing.
“My degree with the OU will make my future career aspirations possible,” Hailee asserts. “I do want to work in science; I always have. At the moment though I’m in my early 20s and the idea of a career terrifies me, but in 10 years I would love to work in a lab career. Right now, I want to be free, travel, figure out what I want to do with my life, see where life takes me and studying with the OU allows me to do that.”
Balancing work and study requires careful planning and discipline. “My family and friends support me in my studies. It’s a bit hard for them to understand that when I’m home, I’m not necessarily free because I need to study, but I’m learning to set clear boundaries with my time,” she shares. “I study in my lunch breaks at work, while travelling, and in the evenings mostly. Sometimes I go to the library to study for longer sessions, especially when I have assignments due.”
Hailee is also open about the challenges she faces, particularly with her mental health. “I struggle with seasonal depression, and this past winter it was quite rough. I spoke to the OU’s student support and to my tutors, and I was able to get extensions on my assignments to allow for coming on and off antidepressants.”
For those receiving their A-Level results and considering their next steps, Hailee offers valuable advice. “Try a few courses on OpenLearn (the Open University’s free learning platform), think about why you’re on the fence, make pro and con lists.”
Hailee’s journey from A-Level results day to studying with The Open University illustrates that traditional university paths are not the only route to success. Her story is a testament to the power of flexibility in education, demonstrating that with determination and the right support, it’s possible to create a unique path that accommodates both personal aspirations and professional growth. As students across the country receive their results, Hailee’s experience serves as an inspiring reminder that there are many ways to achieve life’s goals.