A graduate says the support she received as a mature student was a lifeline during her studies – and helped her achieve her forever dream of becoming a doctor.
Memory Moyo lived 150 miles away from her three children while she studied at the School of Medicine, missing everyday moments with them to create a future for her family.
Throughout her studies, Memory got through challenges with support from the Lifelong Learning Centre and her tutors, making the most of regular meetings and events with the mature student network.
This week, her children watched her graduate on campus – before they all returned home to Cambridge together, where Memory will begin her medical career at a local hospital.
Dream come true
Memory said: “It’s been a long five years, but it’s been worth it. My youngest son is so excited because I’m coming home.
“My children are my cheerleaders. They say to me, mum your hard work is paying off! It’s great for them to see that you should never give up on your dreams – and this is a dream come true for me.
“There have been some really hard times, when my children were ill and needed me, or just missing those day-to-day moments with them. My husband has been amazing – but I think he will be glad to have me back too!
“The Lifelong Learning Centre were incredible at offering me support when I needed it. If I felt overwhelmed with things, I could just get in touch with them and they would quickly arrange for me to talk to someone about how they could support me.”
Memory came to the UK from Malawi in 1999 and hoped to study medicine, but the cost as an international student put it out of reach at the time. Instead, Memory became a paediatric nurse, and working in hospitals led her to meet her husband, who is a trusted hospital assessor.
Memory’s inspiring story is a fantastic example of how our community at Leeds, our dedicated staff and the outstanding Lifelong Learning Centre are embracing students and giving them every opportunity to succeed.
Memory says: “You know when you’ve got a calling? I knew I wanted to be a doctor. Once you have kids, people think any dream isn’t going to be feasible. That’s what I thought for such a long time. But my husband said, what’s stopping you? I will look after the kids.”
The family originally planned to move to Leeds when Memory’s course began in 2019, but their house sale fell through and shortly after, COVID meant studies were moved online.
When in-person learning resumed, Memory decided to keep the family stable at home in Cambridge, while she lived almost three hours’ drive away in rented accommodation during the week.
She said: “The university were very supportive about my position. There were times when the kids would get ill so I would have to travel home at short notice. They were very understanding. The tutors and programme leads were able to tailor the course in a way to support me. Sometimes I would watch online learnings and work remotely.
“They helped me find placements that were closer to home, or near to the motorway so I could leave easily if the children needed me. They would arrange my study day for a Friday, so I could go home for a long weekend. So much thought went into it. They were really aware of the situation and tried to work around it.”
Memory Moyo and family on the Parkinson steps
Professor Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Education, said: “Memory’s inspiring story is a fantastic example of how our community at Leeds, our dedicated staff and the outstanding Lifelong Learning Centre are embracing students and giving them every opportunity to succeed.
“We are committed to breaking down barriers to education and giving everybody the chance to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.”
“The Lifelong Learning Centre were incredible at offering me support when I needed it. If I felt overwhelmed with things, I could just get in touch with them and they would quickly arrange for me to talk to someone about how they could support me.”
The Lifelong Learning Centre is a specialist community supporting mature and part-time learners across the University through one-to-one advice sessions, open days and subject events. It also delivers courses that encourage and support student diversity, with a focus on students from under-represented groups and those without traditional qualifications.
As well as the Lifelong Learning Centre, Memory credits tutors Dr Barbara McPherson, Dr Etienne Ciantar and Alison Sheppard with offering her continued support throughout her degree.
Memory’s family, including her three children aged 10, 15 and 21 and extended family from Malawi, travelled to Leeds for her graduation ceremony on 22 July.
She added: “They all want to be there. My husband has been my greatest supporter and the reason I was able to return to university, he was so selfless. And my mum so wanted this for me – she was so excited I was going back to school to achieve my ambition.”
Further information
For further information, please contact Corporate Communications Officer, Becky Pascoe by email on r.pascoe@leeds.ac.uk.