Saleeqah Shah
Mother-of-two Completes Degree After Four-Year Break for Children
A student who took a four-year break from her studies to have her children, is celebrating her Graduation.
From her teenage years, Saleeqah Shah had dreamed of working in criminal law and pursued that dream by taking up a degree in Law at the University of Worcester in 2016. Now that dream is that bit closer after she returned to complete her degree.
“I’m over the moon,” she said. “No-one from my immediate family has ever graduated. I am the first of my household to do so. Maternal responsibilities at one point meant this would never be achievable. I always hoped to achieve a 2:1 or 2:2, but never did I think I was capable of achieving a first in Law! If any other person is holding back from pursuing their dream career, let this be an example that it is possible to do both! Life does not end due to childcare responsibilities.”
Two years into her studies at Worcester, Saleeqah had to withdraw to give birth to her son, followed by a daughter in 2020. “With such maternal responsibility, I thought that was the end of the road until September 2022, with the help and support of my tutors I re-enrolled to complete my final year,” she said. “I am so glad I did. Becoming a mother, you can lose yourself, I certainly did during lockdown and it came to a point of me thinking where do I want to be? What do I have for myself?”
Saleeqah admitted the stress of going back to university full-time with two children was at times overwhelming. “However, again another maternal benefit means you become superwoman with the best organisation and time management skills, so I ensured that we had a strict routine,” she added. “Separation anxiety, missing certain moments over my third year were heart-breaking, but my hard work and commitment paid off with the highest grades I achieved over the three years at Worcester. My best memory of Worcester is definitely this final year, the staff have been absolutely amazing.”
“I have to say I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for the university support. The staff have ensured they understood my personal and family commitments. They have always been at the other side of a zoom meeting or face-to-face meeting if necessary to ensure I have all my queries answered.
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