Patricia Smith
I thoroughly enjoyed Primary School at Forthill in Broughty Ferry. Secondary School was a bit more difficult as I wasn’t very academic and struggled with exams, but I left with a few qualifications and went on to college to do secretarial studies although I found the social life more interesting! I had a few jobs in hotels then worked in two large department stores for many years before I left to have my first child in 1990.
I went on to have three children and chose to stay at home with them, but when my youngest was settled into school I decided to go back to work. The thought of working in a shop for the next twenty years made me cringe as I’d really had enough of it, so when a flyer came through the door advertising an open day at Dundee College I went along and enrolled. It was scary, but I started on a course designed for mums wanting to get back to work, but who didn’t have any computer skills. It was basic stuff, but we were all in the same boat and I loved it! I went on to do an NC in IT Skills for the Modern Office, HNC in Administration and Information Management and HND in Multimedia with Web Development.
Get up and do it!!! The staff are extremely helpful and encouraging as they know you are there because you want to learn
Even though I was able to study full-time and didn’t work during my courses the house was never tidy and the ironing never finished, but I can now look forward to earning more money and being able to treat my children. I surprised myself at how easy I found some of the subjects that even five years ago I would never have imagined I could manage. I’m a more positive person and don’t panic over small things and am really proud of my achievements.