If I Can Do It, So Can You!
Little Ennah at her nursery.
Ennah just before started studying on the BA Childhood Practice programme.
In this blog post, Ennah Jawwad, Year 3 student (2025-2026) talks about her journey to the BA Childhood Practice programme. From struggling through school as an undiagnosed neurodivergent individual with little hope for the future, Ennah says she never imagined she would one day receive an unconditional offer to study at the University of Edinburgh. Ennah highlights that no goal is off limits.
From not knowing what direction my life was going in, to now studying at one of the top Universities in Scotland, it is still a pinch-me moment. Every single time I walk through the university doors, I am still amazed that I finally did it.
My Story
Throughout my childhood, I remember feeling ‘different’ from a very young age. I had different challenges throughout my life, and this affected my progress, development and learning from as long as I can remember. I struggled to adapt and transition in every educational setting. However, it was never recognised by professionals that all the years of struggle I was facing were what I now know to be neurodivergence. Perhaps if I understood this from a young age, maybe I would have achieved more that matches my standards of ‘success’? Maybe I would have been supported better? Maybe my life would have been completely different. But it wasn’t. Each chapter unfolded in the opposite direction of what I hoped for.
Then came high school. I deteriorated with my health and well-being, where I spiralled and missed out on a core part of my education, memories with friends were lost, and my grades did not reflect my capabilities at all. I eventually graduated from high school, feeling disappointed and wondering what I was even celebrating? I lost all hope in my future. Wondering what career path to go down. Did I even have the grades to pursue a career? Who knows. But then there was a glimmer of hope. My mum, who is a light in my life and number one supporter, helped me see my strengths, and that is where I decided to work my way up and pursue a career in early years.
How Did I End Up at The University of Edinburgh?!
Fast forward a few years, I had been working in the early years field for a while and had learned so much about myself and gained a lot of experience and knowledge. I used my own experiences of struggle when settling into nursery to support other children, and this sparked the passion to consider University.
I remember my whole life looking up to my big sister, admiring everything she had achieved, from being a straight-A student to a biology teacher. I wondered how she did it. How did she study for 5 years at University? I thought to myself, ‘That could never be me’, ‘I don’t think I could do that’. But then I thought, why not I apply for the BA Childhood Practice course and just see what happens. I applied to the top Universities in Scotland, but the spot I wanted was at Edinburgh University.
I doubted I would get an offer to the point where my own doubts made me forget I had applied because I thought I would not get a place!!! But then I got the unconditional offer, and everything changed. If someone had shown me that moment in the times of struggle years ago, I would never have thought it was true or that I actually did it. It was a memorable summer I won’t forget. I still remember the moment like it happened yesterday.
My Experience So Far
My experience on the BA Childhood Practice Programme (BACP) has been one of the most valuable and core memories of my life that I will always cherish. With new diagnoses of neurodivergence, there have been moments when I am so proud of myself and times when I have my challenges. But my experience so far has been nothing like I expected, it has been better!
I truly really look forward to coming in for classes, and the collaborative class discussions are something I never anticipated or envisioned the BACP to consist of. I have also built really lovely relationships with other students whom I relate to and connect with. I am a completely different person as the programme has shaped me so much since the beginning.
The support staff that students have access to is honestly amazing. They are so warm, efficient and reassuring, always there to assist and resolve any concerns. I want to also raise recognition for our lecturers with whom I have built lovely relationships with. They have always been there to support me, not only academically but in other ways too. I have always felt they understood me. It has been a pleasure being a part of their classes. I wanted to say a very special thank you to our lecturers for their efforts in my university story so far!
Most of all, I actually do not want the experience to end, and that is why you should join the BACP at the University of Edinburgh. Yes, there can be times when resilience is tested (like any degree), and I have moments of doubt, but I keep envisioning the moment when I walk on stage at graduation, and that is what keeps the motivation alive in me.
My Message to You
If you have read this far, thank you so much for taking an interest in my story, of how I went from feeling so lost to where I am now. From being a neurodivergent individual and from an ethnic minority, I never thought I would even be here, writing this blog! But it goes to show that no achievement, goal or dream is off limits.
If you have doubts, apply for that course and see what happens. You may surprise yourself, because if I can do it, so can you!
