From Lost to Proud

A Story of Another Chance to Achieve

Difficult experiences in education do not have to define what happens next.

After leaving school early and feeling lost, this learner came to EMBS wanting another chance. Passing a qualification helped change not only their educational journey, but what they believed they were capable of achieving.

“I came here feeling lost. I'm leaving believing that my future can be different.”

My Story

School was really difficult for me.

I was badly bullied and my mental health wasn't good. I also got into a lot of trouble, so I think many teachers saw me as the naughty student.

But there was usually more going on underneath.

Sometimes a teacher would know I wasn't okay and ask me what was wrong in front of everyone. I couldn't explain my feelings in front of the whole class.

When I felt that nobody was listening or understanding, I would get frustrated. Sometimes that came out as shouting or getting into conflict.

Learning became difficult too.

At one point I was put into separate provision and given work to complete independently. Sometimes I hadn't been taught what was on the sheet. If I said I didn't understand, I felt as though I was being told that I should already know.

When I think about that period of my life, one word describes it:

Lost.

I left school early. I went somewhere else afterwards, but that didn't work out either.

When I came to EMBS, I wanted things to be different.

I came to my first meeting independently. I knew that I wanted to do something with my life and I wanted another chance.

The college being smaller helped. People seemed to know one another. Other students had been through difficult things themselves, so there was a feeling that people understood and looked out for each other.

Staff noticed things too.

Sometimes a teacher could tell I wasn't myself before I'd even said anything. They would ask if I was okay.

And when I didn't understand my work, someone would explain it in more detail rather than assuming I wasn't listening or wasn't trying.

At first, I was surprised.

I wasn't used to a group of adults understanding how difficult things had been.

Then I started feeling more positive.

I began achieving as well. I passed my sports qualification and got work experience connected to my ambition of becoming a personal trainer.

I remember how I felt when I passed.

Proud.

It wasn't just about passing one qualification. It changed what I thought about myself.

I've passed this.

Maybe I can pass other things.

Maybe I can actually achieve what I want to achieve.

I came here feeling lost.

I'm leaving believing that my future can be different.