How a passion for plants grows for SRUC graduate Bryanne

“I hadn’t been in education for a while and I have two young boys, but the support I received at SRUC made it possible. If you’re thinking about studying, you can do it.”

For Bryanne Wilson, returning to education while raising a young family was a big step but one that has opened the door to an exciting future in horticulture and landscape design.

The 27-year-old from Glenrothes, who is mum to two boys aged eight and three, graduated from the HNC Horticulture course at SRUC’s Elmwood Campus and will continue her studies on the HND Landscape Design course at SRUC Edinburgh.

Bryanne discovered the course through Facebook after developing a passion for plants.

She said: “I was really into plants and thought the course sounded right up my street. I came in for a chat and that was it - I knew it was where I wanted to be.”

The HNC gave Bryanne the opportunity to develop practical horticultural skills while building a strong understanding of plant science, cultivation and the wider industry. From plant identification and propagation to garden maintenance and business knowledge, the course provided a broad introduction to the sector.

Having been away from education for some time, Bryanne initially wondered what returning to college would be like, but she quickly found the support she needed.

She said: “I hadn’t been at college for a while, but everyone was so supportive. I learned such a huge variety of things in such a short space of time, and the year just flew by.”

One of the highlights of the course was studying plant biology, which helped deepen her understanding of how plants grow and thrive.

Looking ahead, Bryanne is already putting her skills into practice and is in discussions about helping to create a community garden in Glenrothes - a project she hopes will inspire others while bringing people together through gardening.

Continuing her studies in Landscape Design is the next step towards turning her passion into a career.

Reflecting on her experience, Bryanne hopes her story will encourage others, particularly parents, to take the leap into education.

She said: “If you’re thinking about doing the course but you’re worried because you have young children, my advice is to go for it. The lecturers and staff at SRUC are very accommodating and make it possible for those with children and other commitments to manage their course work. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and it’s shown me that it’s never too late to follow something you’re passionate about.”