thread: I want to study but it all seems so hard

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Sydney
    7,896

    Hi Willow

    I've finally finished my 2nd degree, my Masters, after what feels like forever! I feel like I've been studying ever since I finished school, and when I did leave school the idea of doing a degree that took four years seem liked too long.

    I left my first course and took a couple of years out (didn't like what I'd chosen). I went back and studied externally through UNE and completed my BA majoring in English lit. Externally was a great option as it meant I could still work full-time (had a partner for most of it but no child) and it ended up taking me four years as I changed my major. It was great to see so many older ppl doing the subjects - some had retired and were doing it for interest, some were approaching middle-age and looking for a career change and some had families and this was more flexible. It really gave me the motivation to keep going and I never once thought I was starting/changing careers too late because of it!

    I went to Sydney Uni to do my postgrad Masters as their course suited my career path. It was well scheduled and I could do subjects after hours and on summer breaks. I had my baby when I was half way through and took 18 mths off before finishing the last few subjects. I really enjoyed having the time to do something with my brain and meeting new ppl after my DD came along. I was working (for myself) at the same time, but it added an extra dimension. Sometimes I completely lacked the motivation to keep going, but after getting so far it would have bugged me no end to NOT finish!

    The thing is, there are options that make juggling study/work/family possible, as long as you don't overload. Throw away the idea that you can't take 10 years to finish something, you'll be too old, etc. I didn't know about taking summer subjects, for eg, when I started and assumed it'd take me twice as long. Occasionally you think timing is good and you can do a couple of subjects at once. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there, because in the end, you'll be satisfying that part of you that needs the added stimulation and the change while you're studying.

    As for work - talk to your boss. There's a chance that you will still qualify for some form of study leave and assistance even if you don't do law. Plenty of organisations employ someone with a psychology degree in HR, or similar. Otherwise, have a look into all of the different courses that are available and see if there is something that you'd really like to do. Be prepared to start something and find it isn't what you thought it'd be - you can always change and still get credit for what you've done. The journey IS as important as the destination!

    If it all seems like it might be a bit much right now, keep it in mind for 12 mths or 2 years and look into it again. Like I said, I was totally inspired when I saw 65 year olds taking subjects at uni, it made me think of all the things I am desperate to do in my life and feel like I don't have to cram them all in at once.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Sydney
    7,896

    PS Don't worry about getting in - unis are very keen to have 'Mature Age' students as they have much better completion rates. You aren't judged by the same criteria as school leavers and I have not yet heard of a mature age student who has not gotten in (although they aren't applying to Medicine!). If you don't get in to your chosen course for any reason most unis offer a bridging course option which is worth considering. But you may as well apply and find out if you can get in! I just applied directly to the university each time (they can supply paperwork, etc).

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Sydney
    7,896

    I agree with you, Maya, I actually found on-campus, attending lectures, etc, easier once DD came along than I would have found external study, which I loved previously. It just gave me a bit more motivation to have things done in time. But if I had to do it at times that didn't suit I would have gone back to external study and gone along to the local uni library when I needed to study, to make sure I got things done.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Add Aimz on Facebook

    Mar 2008
    In the darkroom
    2,208

    Willow I feel like I have read the story of my life! LOL

    I thought the same thing - get through the HSC, get a good job, get married, have babies. Perfect life. I am also a PA/Executive Assistant and a few months ago my boss called from his office and said "I'd love a coffee Amy". I actually felt guilty that I had forgot to offer!!! WTF!! It was then that I thought I am better than this. I am smarter than this. I am more valuable than this.

    So I applied for uni and last week I got a letter saying that I had been accepted into my chosen course at my chosen university. I also plan on studying part time (by distance) while I continue to work. I have chosen the Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Sociology. I have absolutely NO idea what I want to "be" when I have finished the course but I will be studying something that I enjoy and that stimulates my brain. The course will show me where I want to go career wise and I will just go with the flow on that.

    If you want to study psychology then GO FOR IT!!! Don't just study law because it's what you know and it would be easier. Go with your passion. You need to be driven to be able to get through all of the assignments and exams. You have to WANT to study those subjects. Otherwise what's the point? My DH was at uni for 6 years getting is Masters and he doesn't even have a career in that feild because he hated the subjects so much.

    Believe in yourself - you CAN do this!!

    ETA: I applied as a mature age student. All I had to do was send them a copy of my resume and a "letter of motivation" and I was accepted based on this.
    Last edited by Aimz; October 23rd, 2008 at 02:20 PM.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Melbourne
    3,715

    PS Don't worry about getting in - unis are very keen to have 'Mature Age' students as they have much better completion rates. You aren't judged by the same criteria as school leavers and I have not yet heard of a mature age student who has not gotten in (although they aren't applying to Medicine!). If you don't get in to your chosen course for any reason most unis offer a bridging course option which is worth considering. But you may as well apply and find out if you can get in! I just applied directly to the university each time (they can supply paperwork, etc).
    Thanks Jennifer, it's good to hear that, but I still feel very nervous about getting in. I think it's one of the things that puts me off even investigating the courses I'm interested in. Not that I'm looking at doing it yet, I want to be finished with having babies before embarking on a uni degree. I think the one thing keeping me motivated (in my mind) to look to the future is that I feel very passionate about the career that I want. I'm okay with not having it now, I do enjoy my current one (as well as mothering ), but I do want it one day IYKWIM.

    So sorry for hijacking Willow! I agree with the others.........if you really don't feel any passion for law, then don't do it! It might seem harder to start something from scratch, but in the long run it will be soooooo worth it. And don't totally disregard the whole LC idea, you never know what might happen that could make that happen for you!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2005
    Where the heart is
    4,360

    Janie's
    I want to be finished with having babies before embarking on a uni degree
    I now know why women do this!! there is a lot of merit in this approach!
    If I knew I was going to be pregnant in 3 months time when I was enrolling in 2005, I would have probably delayed study. Well, I'd like to think I would have! Really, the only reason I keep going is because I started before I was pregnant and kept going thinking I"d better finish what I started...though if I'd quit back then, I'd have done so whilst ahead!!
    I don't really want to contemplate 4th Year until all the kids I'm going to have are at school.
    I'm just no good at prioritising study over being as fully 'present' for my child as possible. DS will always come first, and that's starting to show in my school work I know students who are able to say "well, I have to do this now, I'll miss out on a bit of my kids, and it's just part of the deal". Which works for them and that's their thing. I just can't justify it that way. I get one shot with DS, and I won't be a parent/student who resolutely stays behind the shut door of my study whilst DS bangs on the door for my attention (I studied with someone who did this with her two year old and it broke my heart hearing it!).
    So, to all those contemplating it, if you're not in an absolute hurry for it and you have children under 3yo, think about this aspect of it - your child is going through an intense developmental period that you can't put on hold and you can't get back; you miss it and it's gone forever. After this age, development takes on a slower pace, giving you a bit more leeway for your own pursuits.
    That's just my take on it, as I said, and others will feel differently about how they spend time with their kids. Maybe I was just never organised enough to do it properly!!
    Good luck all you students - it's crunch time!

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    3,562

    Wow, thanks for all the replies - I didn't expect to get so many!

    At the moment with an 11 month old breastfed baby (and no plans to stop any time soon) and a preschooler, the only viable option would be to study externally. It's hard enough to balance 2 days at work without attending lectures on campus etc.

    The other thing I should have mentioned is that I do only work 2 days a week. There is also the option that if things got too hectic I could drop that back to one day - there's a reason I've stayed in this job for so long…the money's great

    Janie - hello! I don't mind you hijacking at all. We've had a few chats about this, I know you're in the same place at the moment. Re the LC thing - I've really looked into it, spoken to a few LCs and it's just such a vague area. There is no direct line of study to qualify to sit the IBCLC exam (can't remember the name of it, but you know what I mean). It's possible that counsellors through the ABA could qualify after years and years of face to face counselling and undertaking extra studies to cover the medical/science requirements. We all know that Barb's done it. But even then, there's no guarantees I'd qualify. Apparently the exam is extremely difficult (as it should be I suppose) and even candidates with medical and nursing experience find it challenging. As you know, I was supposed to start my ABA counsellor training but I had to put it off because I just couldn't meet the time commitments at the moment. It requires a lot of involvement at a local group level and I just wasn't finding the time. Speaking of which, you've just reminded me that I have to plan a group meeting for one of my CE assignments - eep! Better get onto that over the weekend. Anyway, I digress…

    I've just been reading your thread Amy - well done!!

    Maya - you make some great points. I can sit here for the next 5 years saying 'it'll take too long' or I can get started and slowly work my way through it.

    I guess I have a lot to think about. In the meantime, I'm just checking out some uni websites and might contact UAC next week and have a chat to them. As my DH said to me today, my biggest hurdle is the lack of confidence I have in myself.

    In the meantime, keep the responses coming ladies, I'd love to hear from more of you that are studying…

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Add Aimz on Facebook

    Mar 2008
    In the darkroom
    2,208

    Willow you don't need to apply through the UAC if you plan to study by distance. All distance education students apply directly to the university. Call the admissions office at your chosen university and ask them HEAPS of questions - that's what they are there for!

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    3,562

    OK, thanks Amy. Will have to check out the unis again. Our 'local' uni isn't offering psychology any more anyway.

  10. #10
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    May 2005
    in the national capital
    1,682

    Willow if you think that you can study law you can study anything. And it is just so much easier to study something that you are genuinely interested in.

    The girls here have made some really really good suggestions. And I think all you have to do now is choose which way you want to jump.

    So, hold your breath and take the leap. You can do it!

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    3,562

    Aww, thanks girls. You've really boosted my confidence, maybe I could pull it off after all....

    **ETA: OK, just looking at the Sydney Uni site and this has totally freaked me out...
    The Bachelor of Psychology offers study in a range of specialist aspects of psychology which include behavioural neuroscience, social psychology, perception, intelligence, learning, research methods, memory, attention, abnormal and developmental psychology. This degree is a specialist four year Honours degree in Psychology, particularly intended for students who have obtained a very high UAI and students who have decided on psychology as a career. Entry is competitive.

    Degree profile
    In the first year students usually study psychology, mathematics and statistics and two other first year areas chosen from courses available in the Faculties of Arts, Science or Economics and Business.
    Mathematics...I SUCK at mathematics...

    Think I'd better keep looking...sounds like my suspicions are correct, this is more for brainiacs and high achievers..I am neither I'm afraid.
    Last edited by Willow; October 23rd, 2008 at 07:56 PM.