Teen secures coveted uni place after life-long struggle

Teen secures coveted uni place after life-long struggle

22nd August 2018

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A STUDENT proved it was time to succeed after her clock-watching helped her overcome her dyslexia to great effect.

Richmond School and Sixth Form College student Olivia Wallis achieved three A*s in her A Levels and an A* in her extended project to secure a coveted place at Durham University.

The top grades were an incredible and well-deserved feat as the 18-year-old, of Marske, near Richmond, has been in a life-long struggle with dyslexia.

“I had to put in a lot more work because it takes me longer to process information,” she said. “When I was revising I devised special crib cards which I then read out loud because I respond better when I hear information rather than read it.

“During the exams time was critical, so I broke the questions down into paragraphs and watched every second. It took a lot more work to achieve these grades and rise to the challenge of getting into Durham, but it is something I was determined to do.”

Olivia will now spend a gap year volunteering before taking up her place at Durham University next year to read either history or psychology.

Head of sixth form Leslie Richardson said: “We are incredibly proud of Olivia. She has been an excellent student throughout her time with us, both academically and on a personal level. She is an incredible example of what can be achieved through sheer hard work and determination. Olivia thoroughly deserves her place at Durham and I’m sure her drive will continue to help her succeed in her studies and in life.”

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