Community Links Programme - creating opportunity for all

‘I write this piece as my first college year comes to an end, and what a year it has been!! We all know that anxious feeling we get when it comes to that time in your life when we have to move on to a new stage. The first day of primary school, the first day of secondary school, and even starting your first job!! Before you know it, along comes the first day of college - daunting!! The thoughts of a whole new change to my life scared me!

Fortunately enough for myself, I qualified for the Higher Education Access Route - not so daunting anymore!! Being on this programme has really helped me adjust to college life. The introductory week at the start of September 2006 was a huge help to me. In that week I made a lot of new friends doing all sorts of different courses in D.I.T. that I am still friends with today, and also friends that were actually in my course. It was a great relief off my mind to know people who would be in my class! Another thing that was worrying me was how hard and demanding the course was going to be.

As the year draws to a close I reflect on what an experience it has been. Some bad points (early mornings and the long hours) but mostly good points, the feeling of achievement, new friends, independence and knowing that I am well on my way to achieving my goal of earning a degree. With the help of Access I hope the next three years go as well as the first has!!’