An Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) student has described how his mum gave him the motivation to complete his degree – as he graduates a few months after losing her to cancer.
Connor Smith, from Loanhead in Midlothian, has become the first in his family to graduate from university after being presented with his degree in Social Sciences at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall today.
The 30-year-old has described how the loss of his mum, Fiona, has given him the drive to use his education to help people. She passed away in January of this year, around seven months after her illness was discovered.
He said: “It happened towards the end of my third year. Mum chummed me along to pick out an engagement ring on a Saturday, then found about her cancer on the Monday.
"I don't think I really processed it at the time. It didn't feel real. You always think your mum will be around forever.
“She went from a healthy normal life to passing away from cancer so suddenly. Seeing her at the hospice while I was finishing my degree was near impossible.
"I thought about putting my studies on hold. I spoke to my personal development tutor, who was really helpful at setting out the options that were available to me.
"But I remember speaking to my mum as her health was deteriorating and she said, "you'd better not let me stop you from finishing your degree”. So I decided to keep going.
"She was immensely proud of what I was doing. She was such a selfless person - she'd do anything for her kids and her grandkids.”
Connor was joined at the Usher Hall by his partner and two children, after crossing the stage alongside fellow students from ENU’s School of Applied Sciences.
It marks the end of a six-year educational journey for him, which began at college and took an unexpected path.
He is now hoping to go into education or the charity sector to help others find their passion.
Connor added: "I was stuck in dead-end jobs and feeling really unfulfilled at work. It was when I was doing nightshifts that I decided to try and do something about it.
"I left school with one higher and didn't think university would be something that I would ever do.
"I initially wanted to do criminology, with an eye on maybe going into the police. But once I started social sciences at college, I found that I really enjoyed it – and decided to keep doing it at Edinburgh Napier.
"I became a dad at 18 and had to grow up very quickly. Since then, my attitude to education has changed completely. Now I feel like I know what I want in life and education is going to help me get there.”
While Connor has become the first in his family to go to university, he won’t be on his own for long.
“My sister is starting her studies at Edinburgh Napier this year,” he said. “She’ll be at Sighthill too – the same campus as me.
“I feel proud to be the first in the family to go to uni, especially as she's doing it right after me. Mum would be so proud of us.
“I'm proud of what I've achieved. I got through it, and that's the main thing. As long as I know that I've tried my best, that's all that matters.
"I think I've shown there's more than one way to get to university. There's a lot of pressure when you're young to choose one thing or another, but I feel like I can help people who are trying to decide their future."
Edinburgh Napier University’s summer graduation ceremonies are being held at the Usher Hall from 9-11 July.