Weird Answer

What colleges have you attended?

I’ve attended one college and two universities, I have a BA and an MSc, and I felt more stupid a year later than I ever felt without them.

Trust me, you are your successes, qualifications are only a foot in the door. Sirs Richard Branson and Alan Sugar don’t have any. They had dreams and they pursued them. Don’t listen to universities selling degrees unless you’re prepared to follow up no matter what it takes. Unless you want what you’re after with all your heart, passionately. Otherwise you’re just a graduation ceremony away from a normal job.

They’re only entry level qualifications nowadays anyway. A determined heart is worth ten times a degree, and it doesn’t cost a penny.

My history degree wasn’t a waste of time though as it changed how I think, how I view the world, my take on ‘truth’ and reality.

The biggest benefit to me was that I became questioning rather than cynical. No I don’t believe everything I hear anymore, but instead of screaming that you can’t trust anyone or anything, I stand back and observe.

Actions speak louder than words, so always let your eyes do the listening.

My computing degree means I’m not afraid of technology, but it was very expensive just for that benefit. I couldn’t programme so I couldn’t get work.

I did it in response to being badly let down by my first university, which took away my dream of becoming a history lecturer.

One piece of advice, if anyone or anything ever stands in the way of your dream, pretend they’re not there, walk quietly around them, and keep believing and working towards what you want. Only ever give it up for something better.

The fact that I was exhausted by my own mind didn’t help me. We didn’t discuss mental health in those days so I was just ‘a nervous wreck’. You have the help nowadays, access it.

I’m going back to my plays and I’m going to have fun seeing what I can do with them. If anyone gets in my way, there will be another opportunity with someone else, somewhere else.

Importantly though:

My sense of self, of who I am, is no longer based on the opinions of others or the idea of success. I am Soul and we’re all equal, including me. We all deserve to realise our dreams, never doubt that.

Deb xx