Angela McGarry: ‘Outside of marriage and children this is the best thing I have done in my life’

Angela Mcgarry with her mum and dad - David and Christine Watts - her mum Christine said 'I could burst with pride - I really could'

Angela Mcgarry, 57, is from Acton and studied on an English and history BA hons and got a first class honours.

Angela said: “After school I went to West Suffolk College as a 16 year old and passed an admin course. The college first time around was very different but I got the qualification and job I wanted at the time.

“Then after children, I became a teaching assistant and ended up teaching other teaching assistants.

“I went back and did a degree as like many other people during Covid I re-evaluated my life and wondered if I had a degree in me.

“Initially it was hard – I hadn’t written an essay since school – but the lecturers nurtured us.

“Outside of getting married and having children this is the best thing I have done in my life. It’s been life changing. It has felt like a veil has been lifted and you get to see the world in a different way.

“I’m now going to do a masters in history and after that – I’m not sure what the future will hold. I often used to joke at university that I’m not sure what I want to do when I grow up.

“I’ve just found out I won an additional academic excellence award for humanities and that shows all the hard work wasn’t for nothing. My mum and dad were at the graduation ceremony. My mum is 80 this year and I’m the first from the family to get a degree. It was a special moment.”

Angela’s mum, Christine Watts said: “I could burst with pride – I really could.”