GAINING a University degree can be a difficult task at the best of times, but for Trellech resident Lisa Wilson, her road to graduation has been filled with hardship in the form of tragic family bereavement and long-distance learning.

Mrs Wilson’s journey started in 2011 when she began her Bachelor of Psychology degree with the Open University while living in Hertfordshire.

As a 50-year-old mature-age student completing a degree remotely, Mrs Wilson’s task was already tough, but it became tougher with the loss of her father three weeks before a significant exam in June 2015.

Despite having to cope with her father’s death, and find a new place to live so she could support her mother, she continued her course.

In January 2016 Mrs Wilson moved to Trellech and was in the middle of her final module when heartbreak struck again.

Five days after moving in, her daughter Megan was hit and killed by a drunk driver.

Once again her degree was put on hold while she faced terrible challenges.

Still, Mrs Wilson was determined to finish her degree and with the support of her husband, family and friends, she resumed in January 2017.

After six years of hard work and two devastating losses, Mrs Wilson officially graduated on the 31st July with a 2.1.

So how does one feel after making it through that? “Relief” said Mrs Wilson.

“It has made a huge difference to how I feel, it is such a relief. It has been six years of studying non-stop.

“The fact that I wanted this degree so much and my husband encouraged me meant that I wasn’t going to give up.

“At times I thought why the hell am I still doing this but Megan would have been totally annoyed if I didn’t finish.”

Overcoming all Mrs Wilson has faced is not something that can be done alone and she is grateful for the support she has had.

Mrs Wilson said: “I couldn’t have got through it without my husband (Steve), he has been my rock.”

To overcome something like losing your daughter and father you have to have the right approach.

Mrs Wilson said: “You have to get on with it, you can’t curl up in a ball and let grief overwhelm you. So you just pick yourself up and carry on, doing anything less would be dishonouring Megan’s memory.”

Mrs Wilson has now moved onto her next challenge, a MSc Research in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience which she starts at Swansea University in September.

The prospect of studying at a physical university is an exciting one for Mrs Wilson who hopes to go on to do a PhD, and she is sure that whatever comes next she will be able to handle.

Mrs Wilson said: “It has just proven there is not an awful lot which I can’t survive and get through.”