An Edinburgh woman who was told by her dad 'your place is at home' has finally been accepted to university at the age of 72.
Ellen Nesfield has spoken of her joy at being accepted to study psychology at the University of Edinburgh.
Ellen left school at the age of 17 in 1967 and thanks to Newbattle Abbey she will be living her dream of pursuing a degree through further education.
Ellen wanted to study art at university but was put off by her father at the time who believed a woman’s place was in the home looking after the family.
She left school and then pursued a variety of careers before returning to education as part of the Scottish Wider Access Programme at Newbattle Abbey.
The programme is aimed at giving individuals who tend to come from challenging backgrounds, or without an educational history, the chance to gain qualifications and a spot at a university or other positive outcome destinations.
On her journey, Ellen said: “I left school when I was 17 and whilst I wanted to go to university to study art, my father was against it. He was of a generation that believed daughters were destined to become housewives and that I didn't need a degree, just a job. But at that time the costs also had to be considered.
“For the following decades I worked as a Post Office Clerk; I printed circuit boards for Hewlett Packard; I was secretary to the chief assistant director of social work CRC; I organised accommodation for the BBC during the Commonwealth Games in 1986. This was all followed by living and working in Italy for eight years and then California for nearly three.
“Before I retired, I had been working in the local Primary School supporting children with various learning difficulties for around 18 years.”
Ellen said that upon accessing the course she did have some obstacles to overcome. She said that these were traditionally more age related and that she had to overcome memory challenges and her loss of hearing.
She said: “Learning and studying as a skill was not foremost in my thinking, thus a few hurdles had to be jumped to discipline the brain and to gain concentration - not least in expanding my computer skills and facing math challenges.
“Newbattle is an extremely supportive environment to take up studying again. It is hugely supportive, encouraging, and one where the tutors go out of their way to be understanding of individual circumstances and difficulties to promote confidence in learning.
“Indeed, the curriculum is structured to that end. I would consider it unique, and my studying there has broadened my learning and understanding of many things.”
On any advice that she would give to women her age who are considering education after a long hiatus, she said: “Feel the Fear and do it anyway. Have a go, accept all the support and advice, accept there will be difficulties along the way but keep an open mind, and be prepared to challenge yourself, or, at some point in the future, live with 'I wish I had tried.’
“I have accepted the offer of a place at the University of Edinburgh to study Psychology, and in parallel I hope to study Italian.
“I am feeling like what am I doing? Sometimes I’m excited and positive, sometimes I’m 'scared', and questioning if I'll be able to cope.I have however already begun preparatory reading of studies which are hugely interesting, not least ethically.”
Marian Docherty, college principal, said: “We are aware that education is more important than ever during these troubling times. Through our focus on continuous improvement, we are confident that we will continue to achieve our aim to be Scotland’s Life–Changing College.
"We offer Access to Higher Education courses, in Arts & Social Sciences, Celtic Studies and Primary Education. These courses give adults the opportunity to return to learning and progress to higher education. The majority of our students have few or no qualifications and many have had disrupted lives and poor experiences of formal education. Newbattle offers them a vital second chance to improve their own lives and often those of their families.
“Newbattle Abbey College is very proud of these students. Despite the challenges of the last session, they have worked extremely hard and achieved their goals. We have helped them to change their lives and wish them well in the future.”
To find out more about the college or financial support available to prospective students please email office@newbattleabbeycollege.ac.uk or apply directly by logging on to www.newbattleabbeycollege.ac.uk.
