Multi-tasking Lynne has learned by degrees

A WEST Lothian mum has battled the odds to gain a degree despite four house moves, three job changes, one emigration and a baby.

Lynne Cocker, 38, of Preston Park in Linlithgow, graduated from the Open University with a BSc Hons earlier this month after six years studying and a series of complications.

She said: "During my years of study, my life changed dramatically. I was living in Spain when I started the degree in 2004, first doing modern languages and then changing to psychology halfway through.

"My dad, David, and uncle, Jack, had graduated from the Open University and it was a way to study while still working and getting on with life."

Lynne was living in Roses, close to the Spanish-French border, and working at the private Empuriabrava airport at the time, organising flight schedules and dealing with tickets. After around eight years in the job, she changed to working full-time in a sports shop while juggling her degree and contacting her tutor over the phone.

But it was a fire in her apartment block about five years ago that forced her to switch homes.

She said: "I was watching TV when the electricity went off. I heard people shouting outside. Part of the electrical system had gone on fire.

"We had to be rescued by the fire brigade and stay in temporary accommodation for four months. It was really frightening.

"At first I didn't realise the severity of the fire and by the time I got myself together, it was too late to get down the stairs." Lynne and her dog Maisie, a seven-year-old mongrel, were rescued from the balcony by firefighters.

In September 2009, Lynne gave birth to her daughter Bethany and felt it was time to return to the UK to continue her studies. The pair moved in with her parents in Grangemouth before relocating to Linlithgow a year ago.

The move signalled more changes in jobs, with Lynne working at the M&S cafe in Stirling during the festive period from October to January last year. She is now working as an administration assistant at Thomas Cuthell & Sons in Bo'ness.

After an eventful six years, the mother-of-one still feels it was worth all her hard work.

She said: "I think the biggest challenge of all was having Bethany, and the last year of studying. It has been a challenge at times but it's definitely been worthwhile. It is confidence building more than anything else because you think, if you can survive all that and come out the other end, you can tackle just about anything.

"I'm now looking into doing an MA at Stirling University as my aim would be to get into social work."

Lynne also encouraged other people keen on doing a degree to go for it.

"It's been amazing, I would recommend it to anyone," she said. "It is hard work but it's worthwhile in the end."