How does it feel to graduate today?
I'm the first member of my family to go to university and graduate, so for me it's outstanding. To celebrate this achievement with my nearest and dearest, especially my children, is something I'm very proud of. I can honestly say if it weren't for certain members of staff I wouldn't have made it through. At first I went there with my back up thinking that no-one wanted to help me. I've come from a rough area, I'm a single mother with two kids and I succeeded. I've done very well.
What was the most challenging part of your course?
Not spending enough time with my children and feeling like I wasn't good enough to be in university, being a single mother, being out of education for 16 years and going back into further education. I really thought 'what are you doing?' but the staff, the University and my children and my family supported me and we made it. I wanted to show my kids that if you work hard you'll achieve great things and I feel like I definitely have; and I feel like my kids can see that. Being a part of the celebration has made it all that more special.
To Stacey's children: How did it feel to see your mother graduate today?
"It makes me really proud that I can be here today and watch my mum achieve something spectacular."
"It felt very good for my future because this will be happening to me soon."
"To celebrate this achievement with my nearest and dearest, especially my children, is something I'm very proud of."
Stacey tells us how it feels to graduate
We caught up with graduate Stacey and her family to find out about her experience of studying with us