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An Educational Rollercoaster: BSU Graduate Charlotte Garrett reflects on her journey from College dropout to First Class recipient

Tuesday, 25 August, 2026

For ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ graduate Charlotte Garrett, the journey into higher education was anything but straightforward.

After leaving college and feeling unsure about her future, Charlotte eventually discovered a passion for working with children. Now, three years after graduating with First Class Honours in BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, she has already built an impressive career in education spanning nursery management and secondary school support.

Her story is a reminder that there is no single route into higher education and that the skills, experiences and confidence gained at university can open doors to careers that students may never have imagined.

After gaining experience in a nursery, Charlotte completed an Access to Higher Education course at Bath College before progressing to BSU. Reflecting on that journey, Charlotte said:

“I knew that I wanted to work with children. I didn't know what that looked like for me at the time."

The Access course helped Charlotte develop the skills and confidence she needed to progress to university, where she began her Early Childhood Studies degree.

Looking back, she says the relevance of her degree to her professional life only became clear once she entered the workplace.

“It’s funny to do that kind of degree and now be working in that area because a lot of the modules are so relevant to my practice.”

From outdoor learning to education policy, child development and leadership, Charlotte found herself drawing on knowledge from across her degree as her career developed.

She moved into management shortly after graduating, becoming a Deputy Manager and later a Nursery Manager, as well as taking on responsibilities including SENCO.

“There were so many different terms and areas of leadership that you wouldn't have known unless you studied it with this degree.”

Charlotte is now working as an Attendance Officer in a local secondary school, where her understanding of child development continues to inform her practice.

“Studying Education, especially to a degree level and higher, opened so many doors – ones that I didn't even know existed.”

For Charlotte, her experience at BSU was also shaped by the support she received as a student. Early on in her degree, Charlotte was diagnosed with dyslexia, which led her to accessing the wide range of support available at BSU, helping her better understand how she learned and what adjustments could help her succeed.

Charlotte says that support changed her perspective on education and has influenced how she works with young people today:

“I see education in a different light because, if a university with thousands of students can do that, then it's really easy for me to include that in my own practice as an educator.”

Alongside her studies, Charlotte also immersed herself in university life through cheerleading, developing teamwork and collaboration skills that she has carried into her professional career.

Now, as a new cohort of students prepare to begin their studies in Education, Charlotte has a simple message for anyone who might be questioning whether they can make it through:

“Ride the wave. It is an absolute rollercoaster and no one can ever take that away from you.

Make sure that you protect yourself and you reach out when you need help, the support is always there. if I could go back and speak to those who are going into it now, I would just tell them it does get better and it’s so worth it.”

Charlotte’s journey ultimately offers an important perspective: your journey does not have to be linear, and the career you eventually build may look very different from the one you imagined when you started.

Interested in working with children and starting your own career in Education? BSU has a range of courses that could be perfect for you.