Finding Confidence Again: First Moves for Success

When Tiarikah Strickland Phillips talks about her journey back into education, she’s honest about how tough things were before she started.

“Before joining First Moves, I had been at home for a year. All I did was watch movies, play on my phone, and eat. This lifestyle started to affect my mental health, and I began having some really negative thoughts.”

It was a hard space to be in, and she knew something had to change. The opportunity came through a friend who told her about the First Moves course. What stood out to Tiarikah was how manageable it felt.

“I liked that it was held in the afternoons and only ran for four hours a day. Having a friend to go with really helped me decide to join.”

That small bit of reassurance made taking the first step feel possible.

When she arrived on campus for the first time, something shifted.

“When I first arrived at the campus, I felt safe. The environment was friendly and supportive. I felt comfortable being myself.”

It didn’t take long for her to feel like she belonged.

“I could talk to anyone - students, tutors, admin staff, and even the campus manager.”

For someone who had spent a year feeling stuck, being in a place where she felt seen and supported made a real difference.

One of the things Tiarikah is most proud of is her attendance. She admits that at the beginning, she still carried some old habits from school, but she made a conscious effort to improve.

“When I first started, I still had some habits from school, but my attendance kept improving.”

As she kept showing up, her confidence started to grow - especially in her learning.

“I feel much more confident in reading, writing, and maths now. I also realized I needed to put extra effort into spelling.”

She says having the right teacher played a big part in that progress.

“Paying attention, asking questions, and being supported by the right person made everything so much easier. Feeling smarter really boosted my motivation — it made me want to learn more.”

That shift from feeling stuck at home to feeling motivated to learn has been powerful. First Moves gave her structure, support, and belief in herself again.

“I definitely recommend this course. It’s a great educational experience and a fantastic first step for anyone looking to get back into education.”

Tiarikah’s story is a reminder that getting back into study doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right environment and the right support, it can be the start of something positive - not just for your education, but for your confidence and wellbeing too.