Success
through support
As Melanie walked down from the graduation stage, she was filled with
that sense of pride all graduates feel – that realisation you have done it!
Melanie didn’t think things could feel any better
at that point, but then she looked up and saw
her 12 year old son Joel running down from the
stands to give her a big hug.
‘As his arms wrapped around me, it brought
tears to my eyes,’ she said.
That special moment in Melanie’s life
occurred last year when she completed her
undergraduate Bachelor of Science (psychology
major) degree, a goal she set for herself more
than 20 years ago.
‘There was a lot of pressure throughout my
schooling for me to go to university as I was a
good student,’ she said.
‘But I didn’t enjoy the subjects when I got to
university so withdrew from the degree.
‘I always wanted to go back but there were
barriers; I became a single mum and I live with
mental illness.’
Melanie’s mental illness includes depression
and anxiety which at times has required
hospitalisation. For this reason, Melanie
explained that a strong support network was
essential for her to be able to complete her
studies and she found one in the form of her
son and the USQ support services team.
‘The thought of coming back to study was
extremely overwhelming, as I was worried I
would be the only mature age student in the
class.
‘To my relief, when I arrived at my first class I
found that I wasn’t the only mature age student
after all.’
mum is a balancing act and the challenge is not
to beat yourself up over things.’
Joel is now 13 years old and couldn’t be
prouder of his mum, who is currently studying
psychology honours.
When asked how he helps support her, Joel
gave a very mature answer.
‘I’m proud of my mum so I try not to interrupt
her too much when she is studying,’ he said.
As well as the ‘uninterrupting’ support Melanie
receives from her son, throughout her studies
she has also received support from USQ’s
faculty and support services.
‘When I commenced my studies I met with
Student Services to register with a disability.
‘I had a scribe who sat with me during my
lectures and would take notes for me, and I was
given a learning support plan which I forwarded
to all of my lecturers.
‘This helped with examination adjustments such
as assignment extensions and an exam room
with a small number of people rather than a
large assessment hall.’
Through her studies Melanie has learned a lot
about what makes people tick.
But it’s the support she has received from her
son and USQ that taught her not to let things
stop her from achieving what she wants to.
‘While there may be setbacks, it doesn’t mean
you have to give up,’ Melanie said.
Melanie also said she experienced a lot of guilt
about returning to study as a single mother.
‘There is help and support out there and I
believe it is never too late to start studying or
to change a direction in your life so take the
plunge and just do it!’
‘When I started my undergraduate degree Joel
was eight years old, but I realised that being a
WORDS: NAOMI J MATTHEWS – USQ Alumna
IMAGES: USQ PHOTOGRAPHY