I want to study but it all seems so hard

[Muppity]

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!

[Willow]

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.

[Spring Angel]

Willow

Now you know I'm going to biased on this one but here's my two cents.

I went to uni directly from school to study law. I actually loved study (and miss it to a degree) and found that I really enjoyed law. I have fond memories of being stuck in the library for hours on end with the musty smell of books wafting around me trying to get my head around the complexity of Constitutional Law. I wasn't the most committed student though. I had an Administrative Law exam on my 21st Birthday so met up with my mates at the Uni club for a beer before my exam (LMAO) still managed to get a good mark from memory. As you can see my social life still ranked high in my list of priorities but I found that once I found my groove at uni it all just fell into place.

I did 5 years full time. Some of my other friends were out earning money, getting cars, going on holidays but I just stuck in there and I have to say it is the best decision I ever made. I'm now working as a Senior Lawyer in a Federal Government department, I love my job and I am fortunate enough to be able to combine my part time work with motherhood. I feel challenged at work (and stressed at times) and I feel a different sort of self worth after a day at work. Don't get me wrong, my most important and difficult role is that of mummy, but the thrill I get after winning a complicated litigation is something that can't be replicated anywhere else.

I think whatever you do, don't doubt your ability. Challenge yourself, you will never know unless you jump in and test the waters. Don't be scared of failure, it would only be a failure if you didn't follow your dreams because you didn't think you were good enough.

Oh and if you do decide to go down the law path, I'm always here to help... for a small fee (ONLY KIDDING LOL)

Go get 'em girl.

[Janie]

Oh and if you do decide to go down the law path, I'm always here to help... for a small fee (ONLY KIDDING LOL)

Oh Spring, if you knew how hard and loud I was laughing at that comment!!!!! Too funny hun Thanks for the giggle.

[Spring Angel]

'tis a pleasure Janie.

[Jennifer13]

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...


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.

Don't despair, Willow, the same UAI requirements do not apply to mature age students.

HOWEVER, I hear ya on the mathematics AND statistics thing (if you think maths is bad, stats was even worse in my experience!). I took Economics and Computer Science in my first degree and despite doing really well at school maths and really well at everything else at uni I found those two subjects extremely challenging. But I passed (even got a credit for maths, don't ask me how) and you only had to take them for the first year. So if you can grin and bear it for a year, it's over. Kinda took the pressure off myself too, knowing there was no way I was going to get a really good mark, so I learnt about 60% of the subject and learnt that part REALLY WELL!

Plus, Syd Uni is not the only uni to offer psychology and can be the hardest to get into. Have a look at the other unis as well.

[Aimz]

Charles Sturt University offer a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology and it can be studied by distance. Their online learning and distance education program is one of the best in Australia due to the high number of overseas students.

[Smoke Jaguar]

As does Monash

[Willow]

I've done a bit more research today and I've found two distance courses that sound great - one at Charles Sturt - Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology), and one at Monash - Bachelor of Arts (Psychology).

I'm leaning towards Charles Sturt because they have a student campus here in Sydney.

I've printed out the enrolment forms, going to go through the requirements for each course again once I get home (I'm at work) and then I think I'm going to apply - eeeeeep!

I also need to have another look at the financial aspects, something I haven't thought about too much LOL!

Thank you sooooo much for all your help and advice. I'll keep you updated!

[Jennifer13]

Oooo, how exciting Willow - good luck!!

[Smoke Jaguar]

You're a quick operator!
As for fees, you will likely be able to go on Fee-Help, which is full fees, but deferred payment (like HECS).
It is handy to have a physical uni to go into when you need hard copy books to look through, but especially to use SPSS packages that are up to date and have all the features you need for stats (the student version are a bit limited for certain types of analysis...all in good time for this to even be relevant to you, though!!) on the faculty computers. Also, for weekend schools, if you got into Monash, you'd need to fly down to Melbourne each semester, so can be a bit of a PITA as an interstate or overseas distance student. So, good luck with your applications - I hope you get your first choice!!

[fionas]

Good on you Willow.

I just wanted to say something about the age thing. Please don't think that you're too old or are starting behind the eight ball. My DP is 45 and thinking about doing his VCE (Year 12 certificate) ... not for any particular reason other than self-satisfaction. He's happy in his job because he's pursuing his childhood dream of train driving, just regrets stuffing around at school.

So it's never too late!

[Kailani]

Willow I am studying Psychology through a Bachelor of Arts at Monash and the only downside IMO is the statistics component! It is such a great course and if it's where your interests lie then go for it. I always doubted myself knowing that honors is very competitive to get into but then I realised if it's something you actually enjoy learning and reading about and are committed to and not something you just force yourself to rote learn and memorise then you will do well. First year Psych is pretty average as you're just doing the core units (including the maths/stats) but come second year you get to start choosing your units and specialising in what you want to learn about and it's really interesting! I can highly recommend studying through Monash. They are very helpful with any questions you have and we have online discussion boards/forums where you can contact staff and other students to get help/advice so even if you are doing it by distance ed there is so much help and feedback with no need to attend campus.

In reply to Mayaness, I too would have delayed study if I knew bub's would make be making a suprise early appearance! Not too sure what's going to happen now!

Anyway Willow, all the best and I hope you choose Psych! LOL I'm only a bit biased...

[Willow]

Thanks so much guys. I printed off a whole heap of info on each course to read on the train on the way home yesterday. The whole major/minor thing has me a bit confused

I think for now I've ruled out Monash - it would be a real hurdle when I have to attend on campus, so Charles Sturt is looking like the better option.

I need to look into the financial side more but I really think I'm going to apply - nothing ventured, nothing gained right?!

[sushee]

Willow,

I'm glad your confidence is back and you're looking at applying. The girls here have been super supportive and have given great advice. I think often our first (and biggest) hurdle is our own self confidence.

I was 37 when I started this degree, and I've only done one unit, then took a leave of absence for 6 months because of work commitments. Next semester, I'm doing 2 units, which will be a heavy load considering I work full time and have a toddler and a teenager at home. And yet at this rate, I'll never finish my degree either! Lol!

But it's already paying dividends. I have put on my resume that I'm an undergrad Psych student. I mention that my assignments are always handed in on time, and my average mark is in the mid 90%. I add that I was in the top 3% for my STAT test. And after years of being stagnant in my employment, I've had 3 promotions in less than 12 months, and in one case, it was specifically because I was at uni and the other candidate wasn't.

And the funniest thing is? I had NO IDEA I'd do so well when I started out. I didn't know I'd achieve such good results in my STAT test, or for my first unit. I was worried about whether I'd even get in! You just won't know until you try. So try!

The other fortunate thing is that psych has turned out to be a really interesting, really pertinent course for me. Even if I don't end up finishing it, I won't regret doing the course. I'm loving how it's teaching me more about myself and the rest of the world - and I can see me using what I've learnt in IVF advocacy in years to come.

Yes, I wish I didn't have to hand over $80 a fortnight in HECs for the pleasure, but I guess in the end, I'm getting a great deal out of it, so I guess I will have to wear the cost of it. :P

[Willow]

Sushee - I was hoping you'd pop in. You make some really great points, as usual

$80 a fortnight isn't as bad as I'd imagined, but I seriously haven't looked into the fees, how i'll pay etc. I've spoken to DH about it and he just said 'we'll manage'. I'm going to call the admissions office on Monday to discuss this and a few other things with them.

I think my work would be very supportive of my studies, even if it wasn't directly work related ie Law. Although I see one of the minor subjects for one course is law, so that's a possibility too.

I'm starting to prepare my applications now. The on time closing date is 31 October, so I don't have much time, but thankfully it doesn't look like I need to include many supporting documents. I will need to do an updated resume from scratch which is a pain, but I can't find a soft copy anywhere on my pc.

[montyp]

Hey Willow,

Three words - Go For It! This from someone who took the plunge at the age of 37 through a mature-age programme (I didn't see any such scheme at other universities in Sydney). Previously I had only done TAFE with fair success, but this was a major step. It also triggered in me a case of (performance) anxiety which carries on to this day, but that's for another thread.

Initially, I was barely passing. In the first semester I did Math sub-101 and Statistics. It required travelling to campus twice on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for lectures (two for Math, one for Stats) and tutes (one each). I got a conceded-pass (it's not a fail, but it's not good enough to move on; AKA CP) in Math, and passed Stats. Because of the CP I was unable to do Math-101, which turned out to be a boon, because I got a credit in Stats in the second semester. That taught me two things: one subject per semester = success; and Computer Science was probably not for me.

So I walked away from Computing, and chose German - why German, you ask? Well, between that and Chinese, two languages I'd always had an affinity with, only German could be done off the street. Chinese needed permission of the head of the Department, which seemed too much like hard work. This also turned out to be a mistake.

I stuck with the one-subject per semester programme, but only managed passes. This included a summer-school course, and two-weeks in the German Summer School in Melbourne. I so loved it, and made some great friends ... but it was soon to be my downfall.

Through 100 and 200 level I continued to pass, barely. My German was coming along quite adequately, but it was time to move to 300 level. This is where it got difficult. Up to this point I'd used the on-campus exchange students: I'd review their work and they'd help me with mine. But for 301 I got a tutor, and sought her input for my essays. Apparently this is frowned upon and on the day of the exam, I was asked to come in for a friendly chat (never believe this, people!). Turns out the person I'd put an essay in with saw my amended essay in comparison with a not-so-amended one, and took it to the Department head. They eventually accepted my rough-draft (which I'd brought in, just in case). Again, the CP, and as the Department head wasn't about in time for the decision on German 302 to be made, I made it for her, and went back to Stats. Ich habe nie zureuckgeblickt .*

Turns out, though, that the break between Stats 101 and Stats 201 was too long, and after three weeks I'd realised this was not for me, either, so I took the semester off. It wasn't a complete waste ... turns out my step-mother was going to do 201 and ended up using my books.

The following year's programme was a riddle ... what to do!? I chose History, because I'd always been interested in it and always wanted to test my academic writing abilities. It was something I should have done earlier ... during Hist 101, I got an essay back with a D on it ... I didn't understand, and asked the tutor. It means 23/26. It's a distinction, he explained. A Distinction!!! Since then, I have achieved all but one distinction in several versions of HIST200 - that Credit was well-earned because I didn't put as much into that subject as I did for the others ... and I now look forward to completing a BA in History, and perhaps also a DipEd.

You might not end up doing that which you'd planned when you signed up ... you might end up doing something so completely different you will amaze yourself. You might get through what you signed up for, like MrsP did. It's all relevant to that which you want to get out of it! I also changed from an on-site to an online student, finding this method of learning more suited to my lifestyle, my learning abilities, and my work-life. Don't let fear put you off - where will you be in five years time if you don't do it!?

montyp


* In other forums they don't like non-English posts. If this is one of them, the term I have used here means I never looked back.

[loulabelle]

Willow, I didn't have a chance to read everyone else replies, but seriously...GO FOR IT!

I totally understand where you are coming from though, especially after it's been so long since studying.I thought for ages about the same thing and finally stopped making excuses and did it.

You will be fantastic at whatever you decide to do!