Studying Media at CONEL – Tai Juan Akberali

Originally attending sixth form at school, Tai Juan was set on studying business. However, he soon became disillusioned with the pressures and expectations of school life as well as the challenges of having undiagnosed dyslexia.

Struggling with school life, Tai Juan needed to find an alternative route and as a consequence, spent some time out of education. Thankfully he found his happy place at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), changed courses and has never looked back.

Since finding CONEL, Tai Juan has felt extremely motivated about his future. With fantastic support from staff, Tai Juan is now studying Creative Media and loving every second of college life, his enthusiasm is truly infectious.

Tai Juan said, “I’ve studied at CONEL for two years now. This has been an amazing turn around. I didn’t get the grades I needed to stay on into Year 13. I am really grateful to CONEL; if I hadn’t found this college I wouldn’t be here right now. It’s really touched me.

“My goal was to go into business but then I switched. I have found out that I’m creative and through that I now know what I want to do. There are no words to say how grateful I am for CONEL, it could have looked so different for me. It has great equipment and facilities, there’s nothing that they don’t have. It’s a great place to study.

“I was diagnosed properly with dyslexia at CONEL. They have the facilities and learning support team I needed. I now get extra time in my exams and I also have a teacher who is there for me. There are times I have struggled or can’t spell certain words, but the teachers are there to help. CONEL has been there for me even when I’ve been out of education, it’s amazing.”

Each year the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London holds its Excellence Awards, and in 2018 Tai Juan was nominated for, and won, an award for excellence on his Media Production course.

Tai Juan went on to say, “The Creative Media course is awesome, I’ve learnt a lot. I’ve learnt how to use a camera properly, make music videos and use software like Adobe; great skills for going into something creative in the future. I’m going to be studying Graphic Design at uni and I only got into that by coming here.

“One thing I really believe is that education shouldn’t be based on grades, but on your talent and what you can do.”

Now, properly diagnosed with dyslexia and fully supported, Tai Juan’s confidence has grown and he is looking to go onto university to continue with his new found passion.