Shivani aces her results after condensing studies so she could also care for grandma
‘STAR’ DOES TWO YEAR COURSES IN JUST A YEAR
A STUDENT has secured a university place with top marks in her A-levels despite having to condense her studies so she could care for her elderly grandmother.
Shivani Sud completed a two-year maths A-level into one year and completed two further A-levels in her second year while looking after 85-yearold Bimla.
The 18-year-old, from Loughborough, said: “I do her hair every morning, help her get dressed and keep her company. Although the pandemic came with a lot of stress for a lot of people, it did mean I could spend more time with her.
“I think I got into a good routine in knowing my lesson times and working around different lessons.”
Despite having to cram it all in, as well as learning from home, the Loughborough College student achieved A*s in maths, sccounting and economics and will be starting a BSc in accounting and financial management at Loughborough University.
“I’m very happy with my results,” she said. “It’s been a strange year in that I haven’t taken exams and there’s a part of me that wonders whether I deserve it and perhaps I would feel more deserving had I sat the exams myself. But I’m happy.”
The finance whizz hopes to use her degree to get into accounting and eventually work in finance for a charity.
Like many students, Shivani said the multiple lockdowns were a doubleedged sword.
Although the time at home meant she could care for her grandma in between her studies, she was also denied a social life and the chance to sit exams.
“At first, it was a bit of a relief to not have to go to college for lessons because it did get tiring and over time I got used to it,” she said.
“But three-hour lessons online were tiring and I started to miss the social side and being in a different environment.”
Finding motivation was a challenge for the student at times due to the scrapping of exams.
But Shivani and her fellow students were given pieces of work throughout the year that would go towards assessed grades.
Shivani praised her “brilliant tutors” who she said understood what students were going through because “they were going through it as well”.
Jo Maher, principal and chief executive of Loughborough College, said: “We are thrilled for Shivani as she has worked so hard to be able to get her grades and secure a place at university, on top of being a carer.
“She is an absolute star and we wish her every success in her next step.”