Why I chose to study Creative Writing online

This article was written by Creative Writing BA(Hons) (Online) student David.

Hi, my name is David and I’m currently studying an online degree in Creative Writing.

Choosing which university to apply to is a big decision. With there being so many options and courses available, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. But applying to Falmouth University was an easy decision for me, for several reasons. 

I always knew I wanted to study online; I needed the flexibility it offers. As a working parent co-parenting two children, attending an on-campus university just wasn’t an option. But one of the biggest advantages of studying with Falmouth is their accelerated online degrees. Unlike many part-time courses that can take up to six years, Falmouth allows you to complete your degree in just three. This means you study through the summer break, but the advantage of this was a huge plus for me. Six years seemed like a such a long time out of my life and so much could change within that time. 

One of the most rewarding aspects for me has been seeing real improvement in my writing.

The flexibility of online study means I can plan my learning around my life. With two demanding teenage children, that’s invaluable. Knowing the week’s work is released every Friday allows me to plan and create a schedule so everyone in our house knows where they stand. And if unforeseen events crop up, I can shift my study time around to accommodate. There’s no such thing as handing in homework late; it’s all about what works for you. 

Now, eight months into my degree, I’ve realised just how rewarding studying can be. As a mature student, I had a lot of apprehensions about returning to study. Would I be able to balance everything? Was I good enough? Could I adapt to a new learning environment? But the support from fellow students and tutors made the transition surprisingly smooth. In the first few weeks, we were placed into study groups, and after the initial introductions, these evolved into an incredibly valuable support system. Everyone is in the same boat, with the same worries and same stresses, but also eager to learn and to help one another. 

One of the most rewarding aspects for me has been seeing real improvement in my writing. Each module presents a new challenge, but with each step, I can feel my confidence as a writer growing. When I began, I thought I had a clear sense of the stories I wanted to tell and how I wanted to tell them. But this course is opening my eyes to new ideas and ways of thinking that I hadn’t expected. It pushes you into unfamiliar places where you doubt whether you and your writing belongs and then shows you just how adaptable you can be. What I’m learning is that to get the most out of this course, I need to keep an open mind and tackle each assignment with a can-do mindset. 

Ultimately, what’s been the most valuable aspect of my studies has been my support network, whether that’s my family and friends, my study group, or the course tutors. Studying from home allows you to keep the support network you already have, which gives you an added sense of security. Knowing that you have people you can rely on, that others may be feeling the same stresses and doubts as yourself allows you to feel less alone, you have someone to lean on when you need them, and a little reassurance can go a long way. 

Find out more about Creative Writing BA(Hons) (Online)