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Danny Chaplin
Fine Art

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Why did you choose to study in Southend?
I chose to study in Southend because I’m local and I didn’t want to move away from my family. I could walk to and from South East Essex College, which meant I could spend much more time with my family.
What course did you study and what have you achieved?
I started on an Access to Art & Design course as I left school without enough qualifications to go straight onto a degree. But once I’d done it, I went on to do a BA in Fine Art, which has helped me realise my ambition of becoming a teacher. My qualifications have opened so many doors and now it feels like I’m really living.
How did you find returning to the learning environment as a mature student?
When I was about to start my course I got worried as I thought I would be the oldest – but I wasn’t... and I wasn’t the youngest either! I was right in the middle and I felt at home right away. There was no pressure, just a great, close-knit atmosphere. Age didn’t even come into it.
How did studying at South East Essex College fit in with your day-to-day life?

As I have a family, I needed to study somewhere that allowed me to be flexible and spend time with them. The hours of my course meant I even had time to see all three of my teenage daughters off to school.

A typical day would see me get up and help get the kids ready. Then my wife would go to work and I’d do some housework or walk into town to do some shopping – whatever I could to help out.

Once I’d finished learning, there was so much to do in town afterwards. I could take my wife to one of the fantastic local restaurants, or I could head down to the gym and keep myself in shape.

Whatever I wanted to do, my course gave me the opportunities to fit everything in.

What would you say to other people interested in returning to their studies in Southend?
If anyone’s thinking of studying at South East Essex College, I’d say go for it – jump in and have a go. Once you’re on the road to getting a qualification all your problems will fall away. Studying definitely helped me –they were the best three years of my life!