I was a very mature-aged student when I started at Deakin University after completing my Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) part-time at a local community centre. I left school early, as there was little support at home and I experienced bullying. So, I got full-time work and continued working until we had our first child.
In the interim, I kept having dreams about completing Year 12, and these dreams came true when I did my VCE. A very nurturing English teacher instilled in me again the love I had for the written word and gave me the confidence to apply to do further study. I was working in the fitness industry at the time and had a real interest in exercise and health, as well as nutrition. By this stage, we had three children.
I applied for and was accepted into a Bachelor of Health Sciences after an early round offer. Our three children were afforded a very good education (I made sure of this after my own experience), and all went on to complete tertiary and post-grad studies. My husband also has numerous business degrees. So, in a way, I felt I didn’t want to be the only one in the house without a tertiary qualification!
The Health Sciences course at Deakin not only offered flexibility around my home and employment commitments, but the majors they offered would certainly elevate my knowledge to support my employment. I finished up with three majors: physical activity and health, nutrition and psychology.
Towards the end of my studies, I was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer. I cannot thank the support staff at Deakin enough for the assistance and suggested strategies to help me get through the study and exams during the 12 months of treatment and ongoing medication. Never was I made to feel a nuisance, even though there were times I had to contact Unit Chairs. In fact, my children would comment, ‘You actually talk to the Unit Chairs?’ As I remember too, the Unit Chairs and Tutors, for the most part, were amiable and engaging.
In the end, the degree did take me seven years to complete. However, the whole process and my time at Deakin did so much for my confidence, self-esteem, and improved ability to communicate with those around me.
