Overcoming Challenges and Achieving the Extraordinary: My Journey to a PhD

By Cara Langford Watts

Life often presents us with obstacles that test our resilience and determination. My journey towards a PhD has been anything but conventional. From struggling with hearing difficulties and learning disabilities to facing personal battles, I have emerged stronger and more determined than ever. This is a story of perseverance, the power of support, and my unwavering commitment to pursue knowledge and overcome every hurdle that came my way.

As a young child plagued by recurrent ear infections and hearing difficulties, the road to learning was arduous. Medical professionals placed grommets in my eardrums, but there were concerns that I might require hearing aids. These early challenges resulted in delayed speech and language issues, leaving me feeling like an outsider in the academic realm.

Primary school proved to be a formidable challenge. Learning to read was an uphill battle, and I needed to catch up to my peers. A disheartening encounter with a teacher who dismissed me as "stupid but happy" left me feeling inadequate. Despite my struggles, I scraped by with the bare minimum grades to progress to college.

The secondary school offered little respite, and the limited support left me feeling lost. Financial constraints weighed on my family, yet they made every effort to provide me private tuition from a speech and language specialist. Though progress was slow, their unwavering belief in my potential fuelled my determination to forge ahead.

College brought a glimmer of hope. After completing a year of A-levels, I then transitioned to a GNVQ program which was more practical. During this time, I discovered my passion for psychology and criminology. However, academic challenges persisted until the university stepped in to assist. With their guidance, I applied for a disabled student allowance and underwent an assessment with an educational psychologist, finally receiving a diagnosis of dyslexia. This newfound understanding paved the way for the support I desperately needed. Equipped with accommodations, I graduated with a 2:1 degree, proving to myself and others that I could achieve academic success. More recently, I was diagnosed with ADHD. 

With the support I had longed for, my love for learning ignited. I returned to university to pursue a graduate diploma in psychology and an advanced diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling. But the journey did not end there, and in April 2019, I was diagnosed with eye cancer, a battle that required immense strength and perseverance. This made me evaluate what I wanted and led me to undertake a Master’s in Coaching and Mentoring. Each step forward solidified my belief in my abilities and reaffirmed the importance of support in overcoming obstacles.

Deep within my heart, I knew I wanted to reach the pinnacle of academic achievement—a PhD. It was a personal goal, a means of proving my capabilities to those who doubted me, and a tribute to my parents' unwavering support and belief in my potential. With resilience as my guiding force, I then embarked on the pursuit of a PhD.

However, life had more challenges in store. My husband's diagnosis of young onset Alzheimer's further tested my resolve, and I have had to drop down to part-time. Yet, I refused to let these setbacks deter me from my dreams. 

Amidst the trials and tribulations, I persisted. Now halfway through my PhD journey, I realise that the greatest achievements arise from adversity. Every challenge I have faced has fuelled my determination to succeed.

My journey to a PhD is a testament to the power of perseverance, unwavering support, and the indomitable human spirit. From struggling with hearing and learning difficulties to battling cancer and coping with a loved one's illness, I have learned that obstacles refine and not define us.

I encourage anyone facing their own challenges to embrace their dreams wholeheartedly. Seek the support you need, and most importantly, believe.