As the end of the school term approached, I had to make the biggest decision of my life. Was I to leave at 15 years old or stay on with a holiday to Canada as an incentive for another year of education? What an idiot, I left!

I struggled on for year after year, getting by with my bad spelling ability. Most of the work I have done I did not have the need for much writing, so I felt quite safe that I would not be ridiculed if I had to put pen to paper.

As I grew older I feel that many a good job passed me by, through my lack of confidence in writing. I still have a bit of trouble, but since I joined the Basic Skills course at Thanet College, my friends and family say they can see such a great improvement.

This helps me today in my career as a sales representative. I also feel there is a lot more to learn, every week I seem to learn something new.

If only! Yes, if only I had realised the life changing attributes that spelling and writing can bring to your way of life, I would have stayed on at school and enjoyed my trip to Canada.

The moral of my story is, although you can get by in life with just a little ability, life can be richer and more rewarding with more knowledge. This can be gained at any time or age. The only thing stopping you from learning is YOU.