the ou cometh...

The arrival of Autumn means but one thing for the Academically inclined: The birth of the education year.

For me, that marks the final module at the Open University. It’s weird as I type this, to know that this time next year I will be stood opposite a changing room mirror in a dilemma, deciding which outfit to wear for my graduation but alas the end is near.

Why the OU you ask? Having studied a Foundation course in Art and Design and achieved a Cert. HE in Clothing Design and Technology from the “brick" universities, University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), respectively, I was ready for a new experience and new modules to learn. So I took the National Express to a little place called London and started studying Marketing, Management and Design at Open University. At the same time I dived back into my childhood passion for writing, and started blogging and everything and anything. It wasn’t long before I transitioned to digital journalism, first at Neon, briefly at The Metropolist, next SANT Magazine and then I found myself front row at London Fashion Week for Deux Hommes reviewing the newest talent on offer.
As my passion for writing grew as did my portfolio. I started writing theatre reviews for LITRO Magazine & EXEUNT Magazine, interning at LOVE Magazine and Grace & Green, plus freelancing as a Journalist and Copywriter.

Before I started my relationship with the distance learning institution, all I knew about the OU was everything I learned in Educated Rita. Without a shadow of doubt, I know my journey through wordsmith-hood wouldn’t have been possible without the flexibility of the OU. Yes, it’s a world away from living in Student Halls with a bunch of undergrads in their earlier twenties, but I’ve had my mind opened (pardon the pun), to new people, cultures and career paths.
I’m now about to finish at the College of Media and Publishing, prepping for Advanced Creative Writing and attempting to find my first full time writing job. I’ve no clue what’s next, but I’m hoping it’s an exhilarating new job, and hopefully a studio flat before the upcoming qualifications progresses me to a 1 bedroom flat.