How to get a reference

I'm 37, I've been a mix of self-employed and unemployed for the last 10 years, I haven't studied since I did a PgCert in 2017 at the place I'm applying to now (for a new degree), and the past few years my health hasn't been great and I've been mostly at home - so I haven't even got, say, a choir director or sports coach who could confirm I've been good with attendance and hard work any time in the last five years.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the university about what might be suitable. It's possible one of my old (in both senses) lecturers might have been young enough not to have retired yet, though whether he remembers anything about a person who studied for three months, eight years ago...

If I can't get a reference from him and the university still wants one, where should I be looking? The only vaguely responsible person I know these days is my physiotherapist, who's not exactly a great choice for an academic/employment reference! At this point I'm thinking "how can I make it sound like our raid group leader in the MMO I play has any authority to write a reference - I did in fact have 100% attendance and did extra practice no one else was doing..."

(edited 3 months ago)

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by greenbridges

I'm 37, I've been a mix of self-employed and unemployed for the last 10 years, I haven't studied since I did a PgCert in 2017 at the place I'm applying to now (for a new degree), and the past few years my health hasn't been great and I've been mostly at home - so I haven't even got, say, a choir director or sports coach who could confirm I've been good with attendance and hard work any time in the last five years.
I'm still waiting to hear back from the university about what might be suitable. It's possible one of my old (in both senses) lecturers might have been young enough not to have retired yet, though whether he remembers anything about a person who studied for three months, eight years ago...
If I can't get a reference from him and the university still wants one, where should I be looking? The only vaguely responsible person I know these days is my physiotherapist, who's not exactly a great choice for an academic/employment reference! At this point I'm thinking "how can I make it sound like our raid group leader in the MMO I play has any authority to write a reference - I did in fact have 100% attendance and did extra practice no one else was doing..."

Hello @greenbridges

It sounds like you have found yourself in a somewhat difficult situation. You have done the right thing by getting in touch with the relevant university asking for advice. This is the best option, and then to follow their advice based on that. I would suggest that if you still require a reference, as you have been self-employed, you could ask for a reference from one of your clients.

I hope this provides some help. If you do have any further questions, please do let me know.

Charlie
Law LLB Student