22 year old, Clydebank student Abbie Donati is profoundly deaf and using cochlear implants help her hear. Even though British Sign Language (BSL) is Abbie’s first language, she didn’t let that hold her back, now graduating this summer with an HNC Counselling and plans to hopefully attend the University of the West of Scotland to study Bsc Hons Psychology, Abbie has shown how her hard work and determination has really paid off.
Abbie chose to study at WCS to gain new skills and experience as well as learn different academic theories. She said,
“I can now use the skills I have learned to advance to higher education such as university. The support that the College have provided has been fantastic!”
Speaking of the Enabling Services support team, Abbie said she had an extremely positive experience, “The team were really helpful and kind. They listened to my needs and assisted me to progress through the course and achieve my qualification. I was provided fantastic interpreters, Colette Smith and Fiona Morgan as well as notetakers June Murdoch and Ann Hansen. They were such amazing, warm and kind people who have taken their time to help me get through the classes. They also provided me with supported study time which really has been so helpful for me to catch up with coursework and teams meetings to check in throughout the year which I am very thankful for.”
Abbie said that she would recommend West Scotland College because of the support she got from the lecturers, support services and classmates, “My College experience was very positive and encouraging which really helped me to achieve my HNC Counselling course as it was a really tough journey to be on. My advice to someone who is in a similar situation would be to try and take it at your own pace to achieve the path you want to be on and don’t be afraid to take on the new challenges. Don’t hesitate to ask for help and support from lecturers and support services either!”
Reflecting on her experience of HNC Counselling Abbie said,
“The course was academically challenging for me, however I enjoyed doing the practical roleplays and the teamworking which really helped me to self-reflect on myself and my relationships. I also think the skills that they have taught me will assist me to progress to the university such as learning how to do the assessments and essay writing in the correct way, the theories and the practical skills such as listening, being non judgmental, patience and empathy which will help me build relationships in the future.”
While focusing on her studies, Abbie even took the time to help support her fellow and future BSL students translating the College’s newly produced Digital Etiquette video for BSL users. The video helps to outline guidance and behaviours for students and staff to work and learn in a hybrid learning environment. Abbie said, “It was quite an interesting experience to go through the process of the reading and the script. I just tried my best to translate it into BSL, there are some words that could be difficult to translate but it was such a fun experience for me and I hope I can help my fellow Deaf students to understand the video that they will be provided and make it more inclusive!”
While focusing on her studies, Abbie even took the time to help support her fellow and future BSL students translating the College’s newly produced Digital Etiquette video for BSL users. The video helps to outline guidance and behaviours for students and staff to work and learn in a hybrid learning environment. Abbie said, “It was quite an interesting experience to go through the process of the reading and the script. I just tried my best to translate it into BSL, there are some words that could be difficult to translate but it was such a fun experience for me and I hope I can help my fellow Deaf students to understand the video that they will be provided and make it more inclusive!”
Find out more about studying HNC Counselling or about our Enabling Services support available at West College Scotland.