Sade Quintyne

‘I dreamed of becoming a lawyer, now my children are going to watch it happen' 

As a child, Sade, 30, dreamed of becoming a lawyer. But it wasn’t until her youngest son was born and she discovered The Open University (OU) that she realised her dream was within reach.

Now a proud Law graduate, Sade reflects on how she successfully balanced her OU studies while working in the NHS and raising two children.

“I’ve wanted to be a lawyer for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until I discovered the OU that I started to believe I would actually get there,” Sade says. “When I realised the BA Law course was so manageable, I wished I’d signed up years ago.”

Making it work

From completing assignments when her children went to bed, to reading in her lunch hour, Sade shares how online learning perfectly fit her busy schedule.

Studying with OU meant I didn’t have to put my dreams on hold or choose between studying, working, and being present for my children."

“I was able to study at my own pace and defer a year due to pregnancy sickness with my second and still be able to come back and pick up where I left off."

“The flexibility allowed me to study for a law degree in a way that simply wouldn’t have been possible for me otherwise, as full-time and on campus would have meant waiting until my children were older, or giving up work,” Sade adds.

Finding motivation

Throughout her journey, it was Sade’s family and the image of a very special graduation day that kept her motivated:

“I’ve got two little people now and I want them to be proud of how hard I’ve worked. I imagine them shouting ‘that’s my mum’ when I cross the stage at my graduation ceremony. That’s kept me going.”

After successfully completing her degree, that special moment is now even closer as Sade plans to attend her graduation ceremony later this year.

“It feels surreal knowing that graduation is now right around the corner,” Sade says. “I started this course when my son was a baby, and he’s now seven, so it really makes me reflect on how much time has passed, and how both of my children are now at an age where they understand what I’ve been working towards and can truly celebrate it with me."

“They were my reason why, and they’ve seen first-hand the realities of balancing being their mum, working, and studying. Which is why it feels so special to have them there when I walk across the stage.”

And it’s not just Sade’s children who will be there cheering her on.

“My family are also incredibly proud and excited to see this journey come full circle,” Sade adds. “They’ve witnessed the sacrifices, the late nights, the tears, and the determination to get it done no matter what. I’ve been lucky to have such a strong support system, who reminded me of my “why” on the days I felt like giving up."

It feels great to show both them and my children that with determination and drive, you really can achieve what you set your mind to, and nothing else can stop you.”

Chasing a dream

A great believer in manifesting the future, Sade has a stand-out vision for her career.

“I dream of being a named partner in a law firm. I think about getting out of the lift and seeing my name on the door."

“My next step is to secure a training contract with a law firm, to become a solicitor and work my way up.”

Never too late

Keen to inspire others to take the plunge, Sade explains why her advice is to “go for it!”.

“With the OU, you can take learning at your own pace, so it’s never too late to change your life path. Even if you think you don’t have the right qualifications, the OU is so inclusive and there’s always an access route you can take.”

Sade reflects, “Looking back on my journey so far, studying with the OU has had a massive impact on my life. It’s taught me discipline, resilience, and how to balance multiple responsibilities at once, especially while working in the NHS and raising two little humans."

“I’m grateful to the OU for giving me the push I needed to achieve my dream. I’m excited to see years of hard work and dedication come to fruition, and most of all, to honour the dreams that 6-year-old Sade had.”