Nicola wanted to leave school and thought that she would never go back. But now she's back in education, earning credits at a further education college and looking forward to choosing one career thats right for her.

Nicola, 16 had had enough of school. "I was fed up being treated like a wee kid. I didn't see how it had anything to do with me."

Then one day, a friend took Nicola with her to the local further education college where she was doing a course. Nicola had a handful of Standard Grades at General level and guidance staff at the college helped her to see what she'd already achieved and how that might help her get where she might want to go.

"I didn't really know what I wanted to do. But at school, I'd been on a voluntary scheme visiting an old people's home at the weekend and I'd really enjoyed that. I also like looking after children - I've got three wee brothers. The people at the college helped me to see that you could try to do a job in something you enjoy doing. Not just do any old job that you might hate so you can earn money."

Nicola's Standard Grades were evaluated and she was given credits to enter a one-year full-time college-designed course. She's happier in an adult environment, and is enjoying developing skills and self-confidence.

"It's different because they treat you like an adult here. And it's good that what you've learned before counts towards what you're learning now. It's not like it's wasted."

Nicola hasn't decided if she'll stay on at college or get a job. If she achieves her qualifications, she could possibly get a part-time job and stay on part-time at college to keep learning and add to her credits.

She might choose to do a Scottish Group Award in Health or in Social Care or Childcare, and if she qualifies she could go on to do an HNC in Childcare.

"The best thing for now is that I'm enjoying learning for the first time ever. And if I want to, I can use some of my credits to start studying something else.

"I'm working on a computer at college now and that's really great. Maybe I could study to do a job using computers."