Student blog: Go on give it a go

It was in 2016 when I first thought, I need to be stretched in my thinking and preconceived ideas on life. I needed to be challenged that there is more out there than just my blinkered view on the way the world works and more to the point how I could make a difference.

Following a discussion with Jo my wonderful wife, she suggested I looked at an MA, my first reaction to that was, I am not good enough, and no one will have me. Having reflected and thought, well maybe I could do something like this; it was Jo who found the Masters in Global Labour & Social Change at Ruskin College Oxford. Not only was the course in Oxford but also a College that has such a rich history of social and political roots. Believe it or not, I got excited about this. Could this be my opportunity?

Having contacted the College, I was encouraged to read a couple of articles that would give me an understanding on the level of knowledge and understanding that would be required. That was difficult however, I was told not to worry – it’s more attitude and aptitude and determination to make this work.

The worry however for me was, could a 48 year old, working for the GMB Trade Union for 21 years with no degree actually manage an MA? And were Ruskin confident I could achieve?

Well I can answer Yes to the first part and Yes (so far) to the second.

The course has been good, the input excellent and the ability to meet like-minded individuals has been really good. The learning package used to provide the input is very good and so far the assignments have assisted me in my work.

Martin Luther King Junior encapsulates why current thinking in what I am completing and achieving as follows “the function of education and learning is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character, that is the goal to true education”.

Go on give it a go.

Written by David Castledine, MA Global Labour and Social Change student at Ruskin College.