Personal Development & Community: Education

Why do you want to do this?

Due to personal circumstances, it wasn't possible for me to go to university when I left school. Although I wanted to, it just wasn't to be. As a result I've been stuck in jobs that do not challenge me enough. I'm a PA and reasonably well-paid but money isn't the issue. I want a job that fulfills me and challenges me. It is very unlikely that I will do this without a degree so I'm fulfilling a life long dream and return to university. I started a law degree but it was completely wrong for me so I've transferred to do a Psychology degree, something I always wanted to do but which scared me witless

What three things will you need to make this happen?

BE ORGANISED!! This the the most important thing. I must not allow myself to fall behind with the reading or to skip classes just because I'm feeling tired.

GOOD PREPARATION - be disciplined about the reading that needs to be done and prioritise this about all else. Assignments need to be prepared for weeks in advance, not days before the deadline. There may also be nights that I need to spend in the library but this is just part of my dedication to do this degree. Also, there may be additional classes that I need to attend. This also must happen.

GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT - as I have mentioned before. The degree needs to come first and I will need to be protective of my time and practice saying that no I can't do (whatever it is) because I have prep to do/assignments/classes. Of course there will be some free time or times where I just need a break but this should be the exception rather than the rule.

What is the biggest barrier to your achieving this?

Time. I will be working full time during the day and going to university after work, 2 evenings a week. The classes will run from 6pm - 9pm. There will also be lot of reading, prep work and assignments to do which means that a good chunk of my weekend will be taken up by prep for classes the following week.