Lee-ding the way: Paul with his old tools
Imagine leaving school with one GCSE, becoming a brickie, hurting your back, moving back in with your parents, going on the dole, then having your dad die.
This was what happened to Paul Lee, who is now enjoying his second year at Hughes Hall reading history.
Paul admits to having always had an interest in books, but says that he showed little academic interest upon reaching secondary school, for fear of being called a swot.
So he left education to take up the trades, and spent over ten years on various building sites across the Manchester area.
Upon getting sciatica, however, Mr Lee was unable to continue his work because of the shooting pains in his legs.
He ended up trapped in the benefits culture described so often by CUCA, and eventually moved back home as his dad battled against cancer – a fight that he eventually lost.
‘Well, that’s it. My life’s over’, said Paul as he described how he felt in 2006, yet went on to say: "When my dad died it was like I needed a shock of that magnitude to force myself out of the rut".
He joined his local college and went on to gain five A*s. He was ‘stunned’ to be told by his teachers that he should apply for Cambridge. He did, however, and despite a ‘terrible’ interview, got offered a place.
Paul is delighted to be here: “There was a time when I thought my life was over,” he says. “That sounds a bit melodramatic, I know, but I was just devastated. And now here I am – at Cambridge University.”
He admits to being nervous about the culture of toffs and nerds, but apparently found acceptance early-on.
Paul almost dropped out though, when he though that he "wasn’t clever enough to be here".
He got a 2.1 last year, and in the future may become a teacher, although he wants to ‘keep his options open’.
Victoria Clark, Tit Hall, had this to say: “this just proves that Cambridge shouldn’t be full of rich stereotypes, I think some of the gits at Johns should read this and have a reality check”.
A student from Johns, who asked to remain anonymous, responded: “whilst I think that Paul’s story is inspirational, let’s not be silly. I hurt my back when I fell off my horse in a polo accident, and only scraped through my exams with the help of the best tutors money could provide.”
Why on earth would he be called a 'swat'? Did he raid drugs dens in L.A. in full combat gear?
It's a mancunian term for geek y' mardy demic.
Believe it or not, it's a word used in the real world as well! It's, like, part of the English language and stuff… (Yes, there is a world outside Manchester!!)
World outside Manchester?
Don't be ridiculous
Yeah apparently there is, I've been…it's crap.
A really great inspiring story, marred only by the concious bias of the reporter. CUCA never ever talks about benefits, such talk gets in the way of good honest cheap fun. Shame on you Mr. Clarke.
There are two paragraphs that ruin what might have been a good article: the CUCA one and the final one
The only reason CUCA don't talk about benefits is because they spend all their meetings stuffing thier faces and pouring vintage port down thier throats. If they let go of the cheese knife more often then I'm sure 'benefits culture' rants would come out along with the jokes about brown people and people from comprehensive schools who can't tie a proper bow tie.
Everyone should be biased against CUCA, it is our civic duty.
Thanks for that, George
A classic example of a self-righteous socialist twat. Make up details of champagne coiffing, cheese scoffing toffs laughing at racist jokes then use it as your primary ammunition in an argument against them. I know the government think they can get away with it but surely students are above that (even if they are running for a seat)!
Stanton can't tie a proper bow tie, and he's the new CUCA Junior Treasurer!
For all those prediposed to be at the best college (John's), we live in reality everyday thank you Roger (you sound like my dog). That is, we embrace reailty being the 'elite of the elite' in Cambridge.
Great ending. Love it
Great finish, love it
Am i the only one who hates it when a lovely story like this is suddenly stained by unnecessary critical, stereotype-enforcing attacks on others (e.g. John's)? Maybe I don't know enough (any) twats at Johns to form an opinion(?)
mike
(from churchill)
Jesus Christ the comments on this are worse than Yahoo Answers.
'Victoria Clark's subcription to the belief that St John's College's not inconsiderable wealth somehow is attributed to the student loans of its undergraduates is unfortunately exactly the kind of moronic snobbery she seems to be so vehemently against.
Do you honestly believe that people are accepted into a 21st Century academic institution like St John's College on the back of their daddy's payroll?
I am a proud Johnian who grew up on the Tyne, i do not need to be patronised with "reality checks", nor do I need some faux-intellectual tosser to claim to have anything to tell me about the people at my own college.