University of Bedfordshire Transforming Lives − 22
TRANSFORMING LIVES NICHOLA LITTLE
01 “If you really, really want something, and you put everything into it, you’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it,” said Nichola Little, who attained a first class honours degree in Criminology this year and won a prize as the best performing student in her faculty.
before boarding a bus to Bedford and then taking a train into Luton.
Nichola achieved these results while bringing up four children including daughter Lene, 10, who is “always smiling” even though she has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. “Looking back now I really don’t know how I did it,” Nichola said. “However, when I was really stressed and tired, when I felt like packing it in, and when I had my bad moments, I had to remember why I was doing it – making a better future for me and my children.” Nichola’s challenge was made harder because she doesn’t drive, which meant leaving children with childminders at 7am,
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Pay-off Nichola’s hard work is rewarded as she receives a First Class Honours degree in Criminology – all achieved while caring for her four children
“It was a balancing act. I didn’t have much of a social life for three years. It was also quite difficult for my children, but now they’re a bit older, they understand more and they appreciate that university really is important. I absolutely loved university and made lots of new friends,” Nichola added. “The learning spaces at the University are second-to-none. I really enjoyed my lectures and learned so much. The University has a great atmosphere. Coming to university as a mature student was a bit daunting at first but, throughout, the tutors have been very supportive to me and all the other students on the course.” Currently enjoying a well-earned break, Nichola admits to already missing university and plans to study for a Master’s. “My studies have really broadened my career horizons,” she concluded.
11/10/2013 11:26