Donna Shute, who recently completed the University's Access to Higher Education – Business Management course, has won a scholarship and place at the University of Manchester.
She completed the 15 week course with an impressive 63 distinctions – the highest grade available – out of a possible 69. Her outstanding academic performance and dedication are even more admirable as she is a full-time mother of three children. She will start the Management and Marketing of Fashion Textiles degree in September, a specialist course which isn't available at the University of Bolton.
Donna recently visited the University to talk to and inspire the next cohort of business hopefuls on the Access course. When quizzed by the other students on how she achieved such quality marks and maintained her family life, the answer was simple – 'hard work'. She said: 'The course was a lot of work and excellent time management was the key to success. I was the biggest geek of all when it came to organising my time. I spent 90 per cent of my time at Bolton in the Library. There really isn't a secret to it. It is just about putting the work in.'
Even with the amount of time and effort she put in herself, Donna acknowledged the help and support she received from her tutors. She added: 'they were extremely supportive and always on hand for help.'
On top of her family life and study schedule, Donna was the Class Representative. She worked as a link between her classmates and the tutors, often organising study sessions in the Library or bringing student issues to staff's attention.
Speaking of her time at Bolton she said: 'I loved my time at the University. It has undoubtedly prepared me for my degree and working in the university environment was a huge boost.'
Once she has completed her degree, Donna is confident she will become a successful business woman in the world of fashion and retail. She said: 'When I've finished my study, I hopefully…no, not hopefully….I will definitely become a middle manager at a national retail company before, of course, eventually becoming the CEO.'