An open letter - one young persons EHE journey to present day by TT
A Journey from Home Education to Now - TT
The journey from being home educated, transitioning into a structured learning environment in college, to finally starting a degree at university whilst entering the workforce, is both unique and transformative. While many people follow the traditional educational pathway, I opted for a very different educational route, which was both challenging and gratifying.
Home education provided me a flexible learning environment where I was able to focus on exploring my interests and it allowed me to learn in a way that felt natural and engaging, compared to the rigid timetables and standardized curricula the traditional school route provided. This cultivated independence from a young age, from researching topics independently, solving problems without the external guidance, and it gave me the freedom and relaxed environment I felt was needed to flourish. The transition from home education to a more structured setting happened through a special program tailored for home educated students in their pathway into college, at South Essex College. This course was called ‘Pathways to College’. This made the transition into mainstream learning less daunting as I was around other students who had a similar learning environment to myself, and it gave me the tools I needed to collaborate in group projects, manage deadlines, and engage in classroom discussions with peers. It gave me a taste of what was to come in my following years heading into college and showed me I could adapt to a more structured environment without losing the self-directed mindset I had developed at home.
After completing the Pathways to College course, I transitioned fully into a formal college setting. This was my first time since being home educated, stepping into an environment with others who took the traditional learning route. The set timetable, exams, and performance graded workload became an easier matter since I acquired the skills in the Pathways to College course. College was also where I began to interact with a wider variety of students. Being part of a bigger learning community brought a new dimension to my education. Group work, presentations, and class discussions were now regular features, and I had to learn how to communicate my ideas effectively while also listening to and understanding other perspectives. A key takeaway from college was my newfound ability to balance my independence with working with others.
The step into university brought freedom, both educationally, as well as in day-to-day life. I was able to specialise in the subjects that I was passionate about, and adapt my learning to fit with my future career in law. The independent study, time management and long-term projects felt natural to me as I had been doing it from the start of my educational journey. Interacting with people from many different walks of life became easier since doing so in college. These experiences taught me not only about my chosen field of study and work, but also about myself as a person.
I am currently still studying at university, aspiring to complete my degree in law and criminology. Alongside this, I have started a job within the probation service, and would not be in the position I am today if not for the experiences I cultivated in life. I found my background has given me the resilience and flexibility to thrive and progress further, which I plan to continue to do. Although my journey from home education, to college, and finally university is not the typical journey one takes, I wouldn’t change a thing. Each step has shaped who I am today and it has allowed me to continue to progress into a successful career. For anyone considering home education, or currently on a similar path, my experience is proof that a non-traditional approach to education can lead to success. The key is learning how to adapt, grow and take lessons from each stage of life with you when moving forward.
