Art for Literature

A project by: Shelly Meredith

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£41
pledged of £5,000 target

This project did not reach its target.

Completion Date: Thu 26 Nov 2015
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Please help me fund my MA - I'm not eligible for the new bursary (at 32, I'm too old to apply)!

Hello, 


I'm Shelly and I am trying to raise £5000 to pay the tuition fees for a MA in English Literature, with The Open University - this would cover the cost of the two modules (Part One A815 and Part Two A816), which make up the MA English (F58) qualification. 

I graduated from my Undergraduate course at Wolverhampton University in 2014, gaining a BA (hons) in English.  I loved every moment of my studies and would love to continue them at MA level.  Unfortunately, I am over 30 and therefore not eligible for the New Postgraduate Bursary. 


Why 'ART FOR LITERATURE'?


For helping me fund my MA I will using my creative side to create hand-made rewards.  

As well as having a passion for literature, I also love Art (I like to draw/paint/sew in my spare time) and Art History (my love of Pre-Raphaelite art and poetry go hand in hand, and will be the focus of my research/dissertation for the MA).


My Story


As well as being a recent graduate, I am also a mother of 3 (and although at times it was hard juggling children and university, I did it)!  So, if there is anyone out there who thinks it is 'too late' to study, I would highly recommend signing up to a course!  I was a late starter when it came to education.  However, I am living proof that it is never too late to chase your dreams.  As Theodore Roosevelt once quoted, 'Believe you can and you're halfway there.'

I never thought I would ever end up with a degree, but I did it!  Now I believe in myself.  I believe that I can also achieve a MA.  So I really am halfway there... 

Why was I a late starter when it came to my education?

I was bullied at school and fell into a world of depression and self-harm at at 15.  To cut a long story short, I left school early, with no qualifications.  

At 16 I started wok as a sale assistant in a shop.  But always felt that I wanted to do something else with my life.

At 19 I was a single, working mum!  But still, I thought there was more I could do.

At 23 I discovered the Open University.  I completed a Certificate in Humanities.  Yay!  Indeed the Art History side was fantastic, but I discovered that I had a deeper passion for English Literature!

Two more children, work, ill health, and several other factors prevented me from further study.

In 2010, I looked back at the dreams I had as a child.  I always wanted to become a teacher.  But not only do you need a degree, you also need GCSEs in Maths and English.  I had neither.  So,  I went to college and spent a year studying for my GCSEs in Maths and English, and got both.  A year later I was signed up to study full-time at University to study English.

In 2014 I graduated.  I actually graduated!  I really do feel like I've come a long way, and it would mean the world to me if I could continue on this amazing journey.

A Masters would further enrich my mind and educational needs.  

I've met so many inspirational tutors on my way, and I feel that I want to inspire others in return.  I therefore intend to study a PGCE in post-compulsory education after I have completed my MA - which would indeed make my childhood dream, come true!


Why I need help

I am not eligible for the new postgraduate bursary, because you need to be under the age of 30.  And as a parent (who has already accumulated a mountain of debt during my undergraduate studies), I am not in a position to take out further loans.


Where will the money go?

All of the funding will pay for my tuition fees.  

Any additional funds raised will be donated to charity.


Rewards

As a token of my gratitude I can combine my love of art and literature, and make you a beautiful piece  of hand-crafted art.


Thank you for reading.