Griff
A Fresh Start Through the Foundation Year
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It’s never too late to go to university – the foundation year gave me the confidence to start again.
Finding a New Direction
Before starting the Foundation Year, i had reached a point in my life where I needed a fresh start, especially after losing my tattoo studio. After leaving school without quite enough to get straight onto a full university degree, this course gave me the chance to build my skills up to a degree level and pursue another area that I am passionate about, which is psychology and human behaviour. It was the perfect opportunity to return to education with an open mind and rediscover my confidence in learning.
Throughout the year, I found myself drawn to psychology. The modules were engaging and gave me insight into how people think and behave, which really sparked my curiosity. I also really enjoyed developing my digital capability, bringing my IT skills up to scratch, having not used certain software for many years.
Find your courseReflection and Looking Ahead
Looking back, the most valuable part of the Foundation Year was how much I was able to make sense of interactions I had had in the past. As a tattoo artist, I spent a lot of time listening to people talk about their lives, and you find yourself talking them through their problems. I now better understand why people react in a certain way and the academic findings behind our behaviour. It’s been a period of self-reflection and the support from lecturers has been brilliant. They were patient, understanding, and made me feel like I belonged here from day one.
Now that I’ve moved onto the full degree course, looking at Psychology and Criminology, I feel prepared for what’s ahead and it has helped me establish a clear career goal, which is to work with people within the prison system in a rehabilitation capacity. I’m excited to build on what I’ve learned and eventually support others with their mental health and wellbeing. For anyone thinking about studying a Foundation Year, my advice is simple: don’t let age or self-doubt hold you back. It’s never too late to start again and USW gives you the support to make it happen.
Employability and Careers