Vicki and David Medina

Joint Bachelor of Science success for married couple Vicki and David Medina has seen them each celebrate their Honours degrees from The Open University (OU) at a Glasgow ceremony on the same day. 

The Medinas embarked on their studies as thirtieth birthday gifts to themselves. Their OU journeys have already resulted in career progression for Vicki, and a route towards David’s dream career.

Part-Time Fee Grants funded Vicki’s Psychology with Counselling degree, and David’s Physics degree.

The pair, now both aged 36, were each other’s proofreaders for assignments, and achieved their qualifications while juggling work, family life, the Covid pandemic, plus a move north from England.

Travelling with them from Moray to share in the happy occasion at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall was their son, who had just been a toddler when they had started.

It feels very special to be attending the same ceremony, as it makes this a family achievement." 
David Medina

David says: “You need to persevere and be tenacious, because nothing worth doing was easy, and the achievement you feel at the end makes it worthwhile.”

Vicki says: “It was a tight balancing act, which required careful planning, but I am really glad that I did it and I am very proud to have a BSc too.”

“It feels very special to be attending the same ceremony, as it makes this a family achievement rather than our own individual achievements,” adds David.

Vicki says: “We are a little competitive with each other academically.... but that was motivating too! We both wanted to get at least a 2:1 (Honours) - and we did!” 

David: step to fulfilling lifetime wish

David knew the OU from its BBC science programmes with Professor Brian Cox. The university “allowed me to fit my study around my life, rather than the other way around. Also, the OU has a well-respected Physics department”.

I decided to start my degree as a thirtieth birthday present to myself with the aim of leaving accountancy for what I always wanted to do."
David Medina

He says: “I had always wanted to be a nuclear physicist, but my teacher at A Level told me I would find it too difficult, so I studied French instead.

“I graduated, got married, qualified as an accountant and had a child, but still wanted to work in nuclear science. 

“So, I decided to start my degree as a thirtieth birthday present to myself with the aim of leaving accountancy for what I always wanted to do.

“Juggling studying with the rest of my life was very difficult at times, as, during the course of my degree, my son was diagnosed with special needs.

“I had to be very strict with myself and make myself do at least an hour every night to try to not fall behind, but I usually ended up being absorbed in what I was doing and staying up until gone midnight working. 

“My wife was my biggest supporter so we kept each other going with snacks, taking over household chores, etc.

“To juggle caring for my son, I had to quit accountancy to look after him at home, and worked evenings and weekends in a shop instead.

“Now, thanks to my OU degree, I am starting on a PhD to research novel ways of using hyperspectral imaging to remotely monitor and inspect nuclear infrastructure.”

Vicki: inspired by son and students

Full-time secondary school English teacher Vicki “wanted to challenge and develop” herself. The Open University was already on her radar, through TV programme University Challenge for example, and she “knew that the OU was set up to be incredibly flexible”. 

Always wanting to study Psychology, she was advised by family that "science wasn't for girls", so didn't take it at school. 

Vicki says: “I always felt a little 'what if' and then, for my thirtieth birthday, I decided to gift myself the opportunity to study the subject at degree level.”

This was Vicki’s first step towards her longer-term career goal of studying to be an Educational Psychologist, and, in the medium term, has enabled her to teach Psychology as well as English.

Sometimes studying on school lunchbreaks, Vicki demonstrated to her own students that “learning never stops”.

Now she is not only a registered Psychology teacher, but also leads the school’s Psychology department, with around half of her final year Psychology students in the last two years achieving the top exam result.

We have accessed Educational Psychologists on a number of occasions, and I want to be able to do the same long-term, and help support children and families facing similar challenges."
Vicki Medina

Study inspiration came from her son, and students. 

“Although I'd always had the dream to become an Educational Psychologist, my son’s diagnosis of additional needs and supporting him really reinforced this,” she says. 

“We have accessed Educational Psychologists on a number of occasions for help and support, and I want to be able to do the same long-term, and help support children and families facing similar challenges. 

“Also, I love being in the classroom and have no intention to leave classroom teaching for many years yet, especially as I now have the opportunity to teach both English and Psychology.

“Being able to model study skills to my students and to use my learning to help enhance and support their learning was a really strong motivator.” 

Photos by Kathryn Tuckerman