Susie Threadgold
After graduating from our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, nursery worker Susie moved straight on to our MA Education with Early Childhood.
How did ARU support your career development?
The fabulous staff at ARU recognised something in me that I didn’t see in myself, and showed that I had so much more potential than I ever believed I had. Without the confidence they gave me I would never have applied myself, pushed myself to do more and I certainly would not be doing the job I do now.
When you start a degree you think you are learning about a single topic. What you don’t realise is all the transferable skills you learn along the way. The greatest skill I learned at ARU was how to give and receive constructive feedback. In class we had to review each other’s work, or comment on academic papers. We learned to filter out our own bias and focus on the information before us. This skill of reporting on what we see rather than what we think we see is a skill I use everyday now when I comment on reports.
What are the course facilities like and how do they help you learn?
The facilities were great. I loved the library, all the books, but as I got better at using the online digital material I enjoyed using the little pods to hide away in and focus on the task in hand.
What opportunities did you have to learn from industry professionals?
We had some guest speakers come visit. I particularly remember a very inspiring talk from a man about safeguarding, because I was not expecting it to be inspiring!
Because I attended university during COVID, a wealth of online lectures and talks were opened up to us. We got to hear from leaders of the Early Years world from across the country.
But the leaders of industry that I learned from most were my fellow students. Hearing how their settings coped with common issues and what they did to overcome challenges, that sharing of best practice, was where I learned a lot.
Why did you choose to study at ARU?
I live in Essex and ARU was nearby, and offered the course I wanted. Plus a colleague where I worked had studied the same course and loved it, so it was really her that inspired me to apply to ARU.
What’s the most valuable thing you took away from your course?
I love child development, and have worked with small children most of my life. I believe observing how children grow and develop from tiny helpless babies into free thinking little people is fascinating. So studying more and more about early child development is all I’ve ever wanted to do - and the more I learn the greater my thirst for knowledge.
I have now completed levels 1 to 7. At level 1 you see just one small part of the picture, but with each level you complete or new theory you learn, you take a step back and start to see more and more of the picture, how it all connects together. I doubt anyone ever sees the whole picture, but it’s fun to know there is always more to see.
How well were you supported on the course? The very best thing about my course is that all my tutors came from the industry. They had real life, lived experience of being in my field. They completely understood how to link theory to practice and had lots of wonderful anecdotes to bring the lectures to life. They smashed it. A huge shout-out to Kay, Michelle, Stacey, Dani and Paulette. You know who you are and I am forever grateful for having met you brilliant people!
Did your course help you achieve your ambitions?
One billion percent! At ARU I found my voice. I thought I would always work in a nursery and support children and families locally, but at ARU I discovered there are so many other paths to take.
Did you always know that you would go to university and if not, what changed your mind?
When I started my university journey I only applied to do a foundation degree, as I genuinely didn’t believe I was smart enough to get an actual degree. I always struggled at school and genuinely believed I was just thick.
What I have since discovered is I am not thick, in fact I am quite clever, but I do have ADHD and I understand why, as a teenager, the formal school environment did not suit me.
Going to ARU helped me see all that I was capable of and realise that, just because my brain is wired a little differently, it does not mean I am not capable. Before ARU I would never have imagined that one day I would write a speech and talk in the Houses of Parliament.
What advice would you give to other people thinking of studying on this course?
Do it, Do it, Do it! Honestly if you have that little voice in the back of your head saying ‘apply to uni’ then do it. because I can tell you that wee voice never goes away.
It was 25 years after leaving school that I got my degree and I am only sorry I waited so long. If you jump, the fabulous staff at ARU will catch you.
