Cinder’s Story
My Educational Journey
Throughout high school I developed a fascination with Psychology and a deep interest in how the brain worked. I thoroughly enjoyed the Psychology units I took during VCE and aspired to study Psychology at university. During Year 10 of high school, my studies were disrupted by an unstable living situation, and I began what would become a permanent transition into out-of-home care. Thanks to the help of a phenomenal high school counsellor, I was placed into lead tenant housing. During this time, I persevered through high school as I was determined to not let my housing situation get in the way of graduating.
Upon graduating, due to my living situation, I didn't yet feel ready to take on the challenge of university. I made the decision to find financial security and independence through full-time employment. As time went by, even though I was working a job I enjoyed, I still felt drawn to the idea of studying psychology. When the great Covid-19 lockdown of 2020 happened, I was given an endless amount of time to reflect upon what I really wanted out of life. This led me to take the leap and fulfil my childhood aspirations of studying psychology at university.
As it had been some time since I had undertaken formal education, I was required to sit two mature age student exams before I could apply to study at university. After taking these exams, I then submitted what would soon become a successful application for direct entry into a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences at Swinburne University of Technology.
Challenges
Neurodiversity
I was worried my neurodiversity would become challenging during the stressful period of adjusting to life at university. During Orientation Week, I was pleasantly surprised to find my university was well equipped with multiple services on offer to assist with this transition period and provide continued support throughout my studies. Swinburne has accessibility services for equal opportunity education, assessment accommodations, assistance with student advocacy, and even psychology and counselling services - all of which are completely FREE for students!
Engaging with these services has resulted in my university being able to provide me with all the accommodations and special considerations I needed to overcome the neurodiversity challenges I was faced with.
Study/Work/Life Balance
Finding the right study/work/life balance proved to be quite a challenge in the initial six months of commencing studies. During the first semester of my degree, I found the balancing act of managing work and study quite overwhelming. I realised I had taken on too much and what I was doing was unsustainable, so I spoke with my employer about my situation. I proposed rostering less hours during my 12-week study periods, and my employer was more than happy to accommodate this request. I am proud I found the courage to speak with my employer and adjust my workload, as I now have a much healthier work, study, and life balance.
Finances
Financial challenges were another hurdle I had to overcome when starting out at university. To overcome some of the financial challenges university presented, I did research into all potential study grant and scholarship options available to me. I was pleasantly surprised to find I was eligible for quite a few study grants and scholarships, so I took the advice of the university and applied for every single form of financial assistance I was eligible for.
All the applications paid off and I am grateful to say I was offered a three-year scholarship, funded by my university.
Self-Belief
Believing in my own ability to thrive as a university student has been one of the biggest mental challenges I've had to overcome, and something that, on occasion, I still struggle with today. Over time, I have gained a few strategies to help me push through these feelings…
When I feel overwhelmed by an assignment or exam, I have found breaking down each big task into little bite-size chunks a useful approach in making the big scary things seem more manageable.
Reminding myself that my work does not have to be perfect to pass - P’s get degrees! Also reminding myself that it’s okay to ask for help if it’s needed! We all need help sometimes and people are far more willing to assist than you’d think.
Reflecting on past successes. If I am struggling to motivate myself, I have found self-reflection to be a useful tool in getting started. Thinking back to a time when something that is now possible felt impossible can really help with reframing my perspective into a more positive mindset.
Who or what encouraged you to aspire to further study?
During adulthood, I received a late diagnosis of the neurospicy variety. While my late diagnosis presented some unique challenges, the experience came with an unforeseen silver lining. Throughout the diagnostic process I came to realise there were so many amazing neurodiverse practitioners working in the field of psychology. This was something that had previously felt impossible to me.
Actively seeking out a neurodiverse treatment team and receiving my diagnosis from a neurodiverse practitioner was an extremely empowering experience. Seeing neurodiverse people thriving as psychology professionals was a huge inspiration for me at a challenging time. It encouraged me to see that I could do this too. It was the final motivational push I needed to study psychology.
Advice for other care-experienced people considering study
Scholarships and study grants
Apply for every single study grant, scholarship opportunity, and financial assistance available to you. Even if you only meet 80% of the criteria, or you think someone else may be more deserving of the financial aid than you, put your doubts aside and get your application in! You are so deserving of every little bit of help you can get! You are just as worthy of that scholarship as the next person! Put yourself out there and you may just be surprised at who else is willing to invest in your future!
Get involved with on campus events
Many university and TAFE campuses run social events for students on campus. These events are a brilliant way to start making connections and forming friendships with other students. Get involved, experiment, and try out new things! I would strongly advise checking out anything that even slightly piques your interest as you never know who you might meet while you're there.
That paint-and-sip class? Who cares if you aren't the next Picasso - do it anyway! That come-and-try dance class? Give it a go, you might find dance was creative outlet you didn't know you needed!
Make use of the services on offer
I know it can be scary reaching out and asking for help, trust me I've been there, I know it's terrifying. Do it scared! Your university wants you to succeed at your studies just as much as you do! They will do everything within their power to help you achieve your educational aspirations! Engaging with these services will make your life so much easier.
Start a dedicated gratitude journal solely for your journey into higher studies
Write down your study goals, stretch goals, and aspirations, and document each little milestone you’ve achieved towards reaching your goals. Note down how reaching the milestone made you feel, and where you would like to go next. As you grow and develop, you may find you are constantly moving the bar higher and setting your sights on bigger goals. It can be so easy to overlook the progress you've made and take your newfound skills for granted when you’re only ever looking forward. I started a gratitude journal in the first week on campus and I am so thankful I did, it really helps solidify how far I’ve come since starting out at university!
Where are you now? What’s next?
I am currently in my second year of a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, and I am so thankful for all the unique opportunities and experiences that university has offered. I’ve had my art on the wall, I’ve found employment through the Student Ambassador program, I became a peer mentor with Raising Expectations, and I’ve found community and connection through volunteering on campus. I am really looking forward to what this year will bring, and I am aspiring to perform well enough for acceptance into honours.