Maryanne, 33, from Maidstone, Kent, always dreamt of becoming a solicitor and was inspired by her mum who is 58 and also studying a Healthcare Management degree at Arden, to go back into education.
Being a mum-of-two, Maryanne felt she wouldn’t be able to juggle being a single mother, running a business and studying. However, the flexible option of a blended learning course at Arden University meant she was able to pursue her career dream of becoming a solicitor.
Maryanne, who’s studying a Law (LLB Hons) Degree says: “My mum made me think that it doesn't matter how old you are, you can still return back to university or education. Before I considered going back to education to do a Law degree, I thought I was too old and too late to start another course. However, my mum inspired me to apply and return back to university.
Reflecting on how studying with her mum has impacted their relationship, Maryanne says that they have bonded a lot more by studying together and before lockdown would regularly bump into each other at the study centre. She explains: “We really support each other with encouragement and will also be graduating the same year which is very exciting.”
Maryanne’s Mum added: “'Studying with Maryanne has been great and fun, we keep each other updated on assignment deadlines and call each other on assessment result days, it's really fun we boost each other up and encourage one another to do well. I'm really proud of Maryanne and was very happy when she was offered a place at Arden to sharing this experience with me.”
Alongside studying and being a mum of two young children aged six and two, Maryanne is also the director of a property company which she set-up last year offering property services to agents, such as inventories, key holding, viewing assisting, sales, lettings and property management.
Maryanne’s course is blended which means she has a mixture of face-to-face lectures and online teaching. She says: “Blended learning is a brilliant way to encourage anyone who has the desire to learn, achieve and gain a degree while they have other commitments. I especially like blended learning because it gives the option of interacting with classmates and also having the work offered online.
Prior to studying at Arden, Maryanne attended Kingston University back in 2007 and studied one year of a BA (Hons) International Business Degree. She had to leave early due to personal reasons.
Maryanne says: “To get further in any career I needed to have a degree. I found that all the positions I had did not offer any progress unless I had a degree. To anyone in a similar position to me and considering going back to university – I would say go for it. You have absolutely nothing to lose.”
