Louise Usher was always interested in nutrition and food and how it affects health. She wanted to be a Dietician when she left school but chefs were easier jobs to find. That was in the 1980's.
Now a single mum of twins and an accomplished chef, Louise was persuaded by another mature student to apply for a university course.
Louise had been out of education for a long time and knew it would be back to basics if she applied to university. She was offered a place on an Extended Dietetics course, but she needed to study locally to juggle studying and family life.
So after visiting an Open Day at the Medway Campus and enjoying a taster day in the specialist biology lab, she found out that the University of Greenwich welcomes mature students onto all their programmes and applied for Human Nutrition BSc course.
So many people asked how I felt about being in a class full of eighteen-year-olds, but I had done my research by this time, and I knew there were a mix of people from all walks of life, and all ages. I wasn’t the oldest in class by far, and there are so many mature students.
STAART and Listening Ears both supported Louise through her time at Greenwich
Even with several health issues and personal challenges, Louise successfully graduated with her BSc in Human Nutrition.
“I owe a massive thank you to Dr Nazanin Zand who inspired me in the lab that day and went on to become my personal tutor. Also, Dr Melanie Thorley spent hours talking to me about adjustments which are available for students with disabilities and health conditions, like me, through the STAART initiative.”
Louise is now a PhD student, researching the effect of lockdown (and beyond) on the quality of life for people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
While she recognises that every student has obstacles to overcome, Louise is glad of the support available to get her through the challenges of a PhD.
“University has been the focus I have needed to give me a future. I am more than a mother, more than a daughter. I will be in my 50s when I complete my doctorate but that still gives me a good amount of time to make a difference in the world before I even consider retirement. Dad used to joke about me being ‘Dr Usher’ and it feels crazy to think that could be a reality when I complete my PhD.”
