Returning to work/education after leave with anxiety...?

[KatyCee]

I'm seriously considering going back to uni, starting in 2014, and am spending my time off work (I left in April) to weigh up my options. I've looked into the UCAS specifications for an application to a UK university:

Pay them - fine.

Write a personal statement - fine.

Get a reference... eek!

First time around, when I was 18, this application was nice and easy because my tutor at school wrote me a lovely reference and did the same for the rest of my class. (I left uni 7 months in due to my anxiety and because I really didn't like the course).

3 years on, at 21, I'm entirely on my own. Who can I turn to for a reference?! I haven't stayed in contact with any teachers from school, likewise the university I (briefly) went to. I also don't have a current employer and my previous employer wouldn't help me either because they drove me out after disbelieving my anxiety even existed.

Has anyone else been in a situation like this where they need a reference for work or education but they've had nowhere to turn? What did you do? The only people around me are a lovely family, 1 close friend and my boyfriend.

UCAS say that you cannot ask your family, a friend or a partner to write a reference for you. They say: "your referee should know you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education... If you left school or college several years ago, ask your current or previous employer or in the case of voluntary work your supervisor. If you've recently attended any training courses you could ask your training provider".

I haven't got a previous employer who'd help, or a voluntary work supervisor, or a training provider.

The ONLY person I can think of is my CBT therapist... she's seen me for a year and knows me well as a character and would have positive things to say. Could I ask her?!

Any help would be appreciated!

Katy xx

[LadySaabra]

I agree this is tricky...I went to uni after dropping out in yr 11 secondary with severe anxiety, I went in via an access course at 24...even though it sounds like you've got the qualifications would you consider doing an access course, you could even use prior learning to do 1 or 2 subjects instead of 4. I think it would be good for you - confidence boost and a reference.

Good luck

[KatyCee in reply to LadySaabra]

Hi LadySaabra,

Thankyou for your reply I've never even heard of an access course - I'll definitely Google it and consider this option, thankyou for the advice! I do have the qualifications to go to uni but I think a course like this may get me back into the swing of things too after 3 years out of education - as you said, it would be a good confidence boost!

Katy xx

[KatyCee]

Hi Monkeeey, thankyou for your response. Unfortunately a reference has to be from someone who knows me in an official capacity, it would be a good idea if a friend could help but it would be a little biased haha! Hopefully my therapist is a good plan

Thanks for letting me know about your blog, I saw it quite a while ago but if I don't feel able to help when I see a blog I don't comment, I'm afraid. It struck me as a very alarming consideration and one I would not be able to talk anyone down from, but I hope you're okay though!