Carl Ansari, Access to Humanities

Access to HE student in a classroom at Bournemouth & Poole College

What does Carl think?

If you're considering an Access to Higher Education course, but not sure if it's for you, read Carl's story to hear his experience.

Carl Ansari, age 30

Access to Humanities

Carl Ansari, Access to HE student at Bournemouth & Poole College“I dropped out of university after three months and then went into full time work for the next nine years.

I worked in various call centres but I didn’t feel any job satisfaction, it just paid the bills and supported my family.

I decided I wanted to go back to university and that’s when I enrolled on an access to higher education course.

I’ve enjoyed returning to education a lot. I was apprehensive starting the course as I thought I’d be in the classroom with loads of 17 and 18 year olds, but there’s a big mixture of ages from 19 to late 60s.

It’s been tiring juggling work, college, and getting my assignments in on time. But if you want to go to university and get a good degree you have to sacrifice some things.

All the teachers are very different, different styles, and it’s helped me in terms of different ways of thinking.

I’ve got a lot more determination that I did 10 years ago when I didn’t really know what I wanted to do.  I know each step I need to take over the next seven years to get the job I want and it’s given me focus. I want to pursue a career in psychology.

"I have now got a clear career direction and can’t wait to progress to university."

I would definitely recommend returning to education in terms of getting the qualifications you need to go to university. However it’s also good for more intrinsic learning; the more knowledge you have the more open you are to other things.”