y d u t s o h w mums Now that you’ve settled in with your baby, you may be wondering what’s next. Well, have you considered hitting the books? Here we explore the growing options for mums keen to study
s
o you’ve had a baby, got settled into
course. Each university and faculty may have
accommodation, learning support, medical and
your new routine and have a bit more
different restrictions, so it is important to do your
health services, and counselling are just some of
time on your hands. What now? Do
research and work out exactly how long you have.
the resources a university might offer.
you go back to work? Look for another job? Find
With Open Universities Australia, a person
In addition, studying may seem impossible
a hobby? Start a business? After the birth of a
has access to online and distance education
for some because of fi nancial constraints but it
child your perspective on life can change, and
courses that are taught by leading universities
is worth looking into all of the options available.
your plans may too. Many mothers may decide
and higher education providers located around
Centrelink offers additional benefits such as
that they want to study – to get a fi rst or second
the country. Established in 1993, it provides
Jobs, Education and Training (JET) assistance
degree, or to pursue a new interest.
over 1,000 units and 90 qualifications taught by
which further subsidises childcare fees, as well
18 different universities; its mission being to
as the Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) to
available, study is an entirely possible option.
offer people the opportunity to access higher
help pay for things like books.
This is due to the growth of the Australian
education anytime and anywhere.
With the broad range of choices that are now
university sector, the introduction of more
For Laura Jane Lambert, 26, mum to Jackson,
A mother’s life is always busy but having such
22 months, and Maddox, four months, it’s all
learning options and the support choices offered
a diverse range of study options available means
about fi nding a balance in life. Both Lambert and
(such as childcare and counselling).
that it’s much more realistic to study and get a
her husband, Jason, 31, are studying nursing at
Since Australia’s fi rst university, The University Of Sydney, was established in 1851,
qualification today. ‘A large portion of our
the number of universities has grown and there
student cohort at the
are now over 40 Australia-wide. The development
University Of Southern
of the study sector is partly due to the many
Queensland (USQ) are
long-established colleges becoming accredited
mature-aged students, with
universities and to new universities emerging
children themselves and,
to service our expanding population.
like me, many are the fi rst
There are also other learning facilities. People
Mothers study to pursue an old dream or a new one, to earn more money or to change careers
people in their families to
have the option of going to TAFEs, business
undertake tertiary education,’ says Jo-Ann
USQ full-time. ‘Neither of us work. Instead we
colleges, institutes that specialise in certain areas
Sparrow, 38, who is a part-time communications
live on child payments and Austudy. Money is
such as drama or dance, or private colleges.
officer at the USQ Springfield campus. Mum to
tight at times but we just make sure we live on
nine-year-old Matt and nine-month-old Sam, she
a budget,’ she explains.
Gone also are the days when you had to physically be present in class. You can study on
is also studying a Masters Of Public Relations at
campus or via distance education (which can
the university part-time.
Having people around to lend a hand can often make things easier. ‘Jason’s and my parents often
Sparrow can spend anywhere from 10 to 20
help; we have an amazingly supportive family
you), and either full-time or part-time. Or there
hours per week on her studies depending on her
network. I just make sure that I have expressed
are options where you are able to combine a
workload. ‘It is a big commitment as any time
some milk for our youngest,’ Lambert says. ‘It’s
variety of learning methods to suit your life and
I spend studying or working directly impacts
possible to do. You just need to have an organised
budget, which means you can study at a university
on my other roles of wife, mother and friend, so
life. It’s hard at times but I just keep remembering
in another state or while working full-time.
I have to be confident that it is for a purpose and
what’s at the end.’
As a general guide, you can take up to 10 years
worth that time away from my family,’ she says.
to complete a university degree, which is perfect
Many universities now also provide a range
for busy mums as you can take time to do your
of services to help students “do it all”. Childcare,
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my child
Mothers study to pursue an old dream or a new one, to earn more money or to change careers. Alison Nordling, 36, mum to four-year-old Emma,
PHoToGRAPHY IstocKPHoto
be online or you can get the information sent to
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early childhood WoRDs TATYANA LEONOV
my child 109
wanted to pursue another interest. She is
was just a matter of gaining confidence. Cooper
studying part-time to become a counsellor,
started studying music 10 years ago but after
specialising in intercultural relationships at
18 months decided she was not ready to ‘know
the Australian College Of Applied Psychology,
everything yet, let alone to teach high-school
Sydney. She is also working part-time as My
students about it.’
Child’s Art Director. Going back to study (or studying for the first time) is not always an easy choice. There may
that it was my past and motherhood was my
can be tight.
future. However, I now realise that you can do
when it comes to the end of the semester and
something you love and make a career out of it!’ Cooper is now studying music at USQ and will
you have to write really intense papers that
later decide whether she will be a private singing
require a lot of research and thinking, all the
teacher, or pursue another year of studies and
while trying to juggle deadlines at work, as
become a high-school music teacher. ‘I just love
well as long commuting times between home,
rediscovering my creative outlet and redefining
daycare, work, school... not to mention still
my sense of self,’ she says.
having to look after an energetic child.’ Of course, Nordling, like every other mum,
If you’re keen to find out more about studying there are a wealth of books available and the
needs to also find time to go shopping, cook,
internet is a great resource. Start by searching
clean and have some semblance of a social life!
for courses that you might be interested in,
Emma attends childcare five days a week
and talk to other people who have had similar
and Nordling studies during the days she is not
experiences – they may have some great advice
at work, when Emma is asleep at night or when
to offer.
Emma is with her father (they have a shared custody arrangement). Studying is not necessarily just about shifting
•
Resources
careers or earning more money; it can be about
useful contacts
pursuing an old interest, meeting people, gaining
• centrelink.com.au Centrelink provides financial assistance to those in need and has options for people who are studying. • goingtouni.gov.au An Australian Government website that provides news, a course finder, information on fees, loans and scholarships, and a number of other resources. • open.edu.au Offers access to online courses and distance education through 18 different universities. • think.edu.au An education group that offers a range of online courses allowing students to tailor their study times according to their lifestyle. • usq.edu.au The University Of Southern Queensland provides flexible options for students, as well as a range of services including medical and health services, learning support, and assistance with gaining employment and finding accommodation.
new experiences and building connections. Plus for mums who don’t want to work so that they can be around for their kids, study is a great option. They can keep their brain active, and fit study around time spent with their children. For Sparrow it was just a matter of finding out study was possible with a family and a job: ‘After I started working, I considered studying journalism but that was before the rise of distance education and I really couldn’t fit my studies around my full-time work.’ She went to a clairvoyant for a laugh and was told she should study journalism. Sparrow did a search and found out that journalism had been opened up for distance education through Monash University that year and that she was one day from the closing date. ‘I quickly submitted my application, got my books and was underway in less than two weeks. It was one of those weird coincidences or perhaps fate,’ she says. For Sarah Cooper, 28, mum to nine-year-old Ella, five-year-old Jenna, and Jameson, three, it
my child
‘I had decided that I was done with music,
be less time spent with the children and money ‘It’s very tricky,’ Nordling explains. ‘Especially
110
Answering Ella’s questions over time about music inspired Cooper to get back to study.