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Living in cramped conditions with little privacy has been stressful for 18-year-old Stacey, but it has also made her more determined to succeed.

I have lived with my mum, dad and two younger sisters in a small two-bedroom flat all my life.

The three of us girls share one of the rooms which at times can be very stressful. Often we all want to do something different which can start an argument. The fact that we have no personal space, especially when me and my middle sister were going though puberty, didn’t help. Hormones raging, we were at each others’ throats most of the time.

This environment made it difficult to study. I needed peace and quiet but by the time it was quiet it would be time for my youngest sister who is eight years younger than me, to go to bed and I wouldn’t be able to work in our room.

Eventually I got into a routine of just blocking out everything that was going on around me so I could study. This worked most of the time, except when my sisters would go out of their way to aggravate me. When they were in one of these moods I would go to a friend’s house, or to my nan’s for sanctuary.

I think because I had limited time in which to study I worked even harder to keep my grades good. It also helped being determined to go into higher education as it gave me more willpower to succeed.

Hard as it has been living in a crowded home I do believe it has given me some advantages, including being able to tolerate a lot more than some of my peers who never had to share their room with two younger children.

I find now it doesn’t matter where I am. If I need to study I will do so without worrying about having somewhere quiet.

My advice to other kids in a similar situation is never lose your determination to succeed. If you want something there is always a way to get it - try to mentally block out what is happening around you - it does work!

My Life invites contributions from children and young people about a significant experience or issue in their life which they would like adults to understand better. A fee is payable for those pieces we publish. Contributions of 350-400 words should be e-mailed to frances.rickford@rbi.co.uk