Recently, the Centre for Lifelong Learning Team caught up with Taiwo Ogunrinde, former student of the Gateway to HE course who then progressed to a degree and is currently studying her second year of the full-time Social Studies Degree. She shares with us her seven tips for mature students and her inspiring journey to education.

Tip Five: Keep trying, nothing is a waste of time.

Moving to the United Kingdom in 2005, Taiwo originally started studying at the University in 2007 with the Centre for Lifelong Learning, but could not progress to a full-time degree due to the cost of international fees.

Despite this, she remained highly motivated and studied several online courses including a Level 3 Diploma with Oxford College whilst working part-time and managing family life.

“I needed to keep my mind going academically. I was fuelled with a passion to study.”

Keen to return to study at Warwick, Taiwo checked the Warwick University website regularly and found the Gateway to HE course.

“You find a class with people similar to you.” She says. “Parents who have been to school before, people who simply struggled because life got in the way.”

Three weeks into studying the Gateway to HE course, Taiwo found out about one of the University of Warwick Scholarship Award schemes, awarded to a small number of students depending on their background and personal circumstances.

“I was advised it was for A level students originally, but I applied anyway. I then pushed myself in Gateway to achieve the highest grades possible, so I had more chances of getting a scholarship.”