All you can ask is that they try their hardest

Parents preparing for their child to go off to university often feel a mix of emotions, ranging from pride and excitement to anxiety and sadness.

Jane Gregory has been reflecting on her daughter Ashley’s journey at the University of Worcester and said the overwhelming emotion is pride.

"She's always wanted to try her hardest, and that's all you could ever ask of your children," she said. "From primary school, through high school, to college and university, she's always worked as hard as she could."

Ashley, who studied Fine Art, took a slightly different path into higher education, starting university a little later than many students.

“We were really happy when we learned she wanted to study at Worcester,” said Jane. “She looked at a few universities, but when we saw Worcester, we were blown away by the facilities and the lecturers we spoke to. It made me feel like it really was her time to become independent.”

Ashley took part in a host of activities, earning a prestigious Academic Scholarship for her dedication to her studies, taking part in an anonymous postcard auction with her original artwork, and being named as the winner of an award for Outstanding Studentship in Art and Design at the end of her studies on top of her degree.

Even when opportunities for fun appeared, Ashley stayed focused on her goals. "We go skiing every year, but this year she said, 'No, it's my last year and I want to get it right.' To see that commitment and then see the rewards it brings has made me incredibly proud of Ashley,” said Jane.

One thing that particularly stood out during Ashley's time at university was the encouragement she received to think creatively and follow her own ideas.

"When it came to exhibiting her work, she decided she didn't want to do it in the usual way," Jane says. "She wanted to hold her exhibition in her community hall . Ashley is so creative and she really does think outside the box, and at Worcester the staff supported her to do that."

As many parents prepare to watch their own children take the next step into higher education, Jane has straightforward advice.

"It's hard,” she said. “There is going to be a hole in your life if they're going away. Just be as supportive as you can and always be there when they need you. Sometimes they will need help, and sometimes they won't, but when they do need help, they'll always come back to their mum and dad."