As a cultural sociologist and social historian, Charlotte's PhD research is centred around policewomen's experiences throughout the 1970s, the 1980s and 1990s.

Introduction

As the earlier chapters of this book have captured so far, all PhD experiences are unique. In my case, the recent cost-of-living crisis meant that I needed to secure full-time employment earlier than initially planned. In this chapter, I will reflect upon my experiences as a first-generation student navigating the barriers of Higher Education while working full time. I draw upon time management, creating a sustainable work-life balance, the importance of a strong support network and navigating imposter syndrome. I also offer insight into lessons learned for anybody who may find themselves in a similar situation.

At the time of writing this chapter, I have been working as a full-time lecturer for just over 12 months. After finishing my master's degree in Sociology and Social Justice at Staffordshire University in August 2020, I was awarded a partial scholarship. This meant that, in exchange for teaching and marking support, my tuition fees were paid for by the University.

Where my story begins

When I was offered a partial scholarship, I jumped at the opportunity. Although I had fallen in love with academia early on, I was uncertain about whether I would be able to pursue a career within it because of my ‘untraditional’ background. For the entirety of my schooling, I received Free School Meals (henceforth referred to as FSM).