A dedicated student who balanced their university studies with being a carer for her mum when she became unwell is celebrating after graduating with a first-class honours degree.

Maria Conlon, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, said her three-year course at Keele University had been a 'challenge' but that she felt ‘incredibly proud’ to graduate in front of her mum, Edith, and family.

She said: "Looking back now and reflecting on the last three years, I'm so proud of how it has gone and thankful to everybody who has helped me along the way.

"When I started, I wasn't entirely sure if I would make it to the end of the degree to be honest. It has been emotional and challenging at times but in every single module I've done, I’ve achieved a first. It's a special feeling to graduate in front of my mum and family."

Maria, aged 21, who completed her A-Levels at St John Fisher Catholic College in Newcastle, said having Keele on the doorstep meant she could study for her degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, with Advanced Competency in German, while helping to look after her mum alongside other family members.

"I’ve always loved Keele with living in the local area, and before I came to the university to study I’d often visit the campus and walk around the lake by Keele Hall for relaxation," she said. 

"In the summer after finishing my A-Levels mum was diagnosed with cancer, which changed both of our lives. I knew I didn’t want to move away for university because I wanted to make the most of our time together, and I had a university on my doorstep that I loved, so going to Keele where I could study but also stay at home and become a registered carer for my mum made perfect sense.

"When I started my degree I was a bit worried about the emotional side of things, how that would affect me and whether it would be a big distraction to my studies, and also things like managing my time between helping my mum and studying for a degree.

"I was also worried about living at home and not being in campus accommodation and whether that would mean I'd struggle to make friends and bond with people on my course, but I joined the drama, mountaineering and equestrian societies which allowed me to do a variety of activities and meet new people where I could look after my own mental health and wellbeing, alongside doing my studies and being there for my mum.

"I’m lucky to have a very strong family unit around me, and we have all helped with looking after mum, which I’m very grateful for. She is doing ok now – she's stable and we’re all optimistic for the future."

Mum Edith said: "We are all very proud of what Maria has achieved, in a difficult situation. To be here and see her graduate in such a beautiful environment means a lot to me and our family."

While at Keele, Maria produced a short film called 'Wake Up', which advocated for climate justice and won the Keele Student Award at Earth Stories Film Festival in 2024. She was also the assistant director of the award-winning short film 'The Edge of Reality' a film advocating for mental health. She also won the Rosemary Waterson Prize for Best Student in English 2024/25.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Maria has also hosted yearly online summer schools for people in Ukraine, teaching them English and creative writing. 

As a member of Keele Drama Society, Maria assisted with multiple fundraisers including the Play in a Day and One Acts Festival, raising a total of £676 for the Our Space charity, providing vital play and social opportunities for people with disabilities.

She is now planning to start studying for her PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) in August to become a qualified teacher and will complete her training in Staffordshire.

She said: "On one hand, my time at Keele has come with challenges but on the other it does flip a switch when you have a family member who has become ill, and you realise our time is limited and you want to make the most of every opportunity.

"When I started at Keele in my first year there was an opportunity to study abroad in North Carolina and I did feel quite anxious about going for it, because even though it was only for one month, I felt guilty about being away from home and leaving my mum.

"I sat down with my family and talked about it and I ended up going, and I’m so glad that I did because it was incredibly beneficial to my studies and it was the first time I’d really been on my own, so it was a big step for my independence and resilience. My mum was really happy to see me do it as well and she told me my happiness would make her happy.

"After graduation, I'm looking forward to a little rest and then starting my teacher training. I like doing things that are purposeful and meaningful, and the thought of having a positive effect on students and making a difference to people's lives is something that makes me want to go to work each day."