Cemene Wellington

She may suffer from dyslexia, but part-time healthcare assistant and university student, Cemene Wellington, 30, has helped deliver new born babies and cared for the elderly – and says the flexibility of her degree in healthcare management and support from university staff are making all the difference as she pursues her goal of becoming a midwife.

"I’ve always dreamt of becoming a midwife, and my motivation to starting a degree was that I wanted to launch my five-year career plan to achieve that. However, I had a lot of fears around studying. I also work, so needed flexibility when it came to studying.

I chose to study with Arden University because the staff members were really supportive and nice. The course also fitted around my job. With Arden, I’ve finally learnt to cope and understand my learning pattern, and my dyslexia.

I’m on a Blended Learning degree, which involves a couple of days a week in the classroom with other students and tutors at Arden’s University centre in Ealing, West London plus fully supported online study.

Blended Learning with Arden is very good, and helps me combine both work and study as I live in Lambeth in south-east London. The course has helped me in my career because it has given me the confidence to take on promotion and change jobs.

I was working as a healthcare assistant helping elderly people in their homes when I first joined university, and have recently changed jobs to healthcare assistant within the maternity ward of a local hospital.

Study at Arden University’s Ealing study centre has its ups and downs, as like any other university. But one thing that is special about Arden that you wouldn’t find anywhere else is their staff. No matter what, they will get you through the hard times and support you to achieve your goals.

Learning is hard anyway but I get through it because I know I’m doing it for a good reason. Sometimes I have to really push myself but going to work is something different and a change of scene. I believe time management and preparation is key. I have goals and I want to achieve them so that pushes me.

I couldn’t pay the bills if I didn’t work while studying. Student loan money comes at certain times of the year but isn’t enough on its own.

My job helps me with my assignments because I’m working for the NHS. I can ask my managers questions and this gives me a deeper insight into the work they do. It’s really inspiring.

I have access to training too. My team at work want me to do well so they’re all helpful.

I love the reward of delivering newborn babies. It makes everything worthwhile. Doing nightshift is the worst part, it can be tiring and we do twelve hour shifts.

I’m really passionate about my studies and my job. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do so I’m focused on achieving it. I’m going back to university once I’ve completed my healthcare degree to do a course on midwifery.

I believe without the support of my student advisers I wouldn't have even gone to university. Both my family and I feel that I am finally on my way to achieve all my goals of finally becoming a midwife and my confidence in myself has increased."