Mature Study

Name: Justene Knight

Course: Graduate Diploma of Industrial relations (current)

Masters of Arts (Research)

Bachelor of Arts Honours

Bachelor of Arts (Educational Theatre)

Education Provider:

Charles Sturt University (Graduate Diploma of Industrial Relations)

Flinders University (Masters and Honours)

Adelaide University (Bachelor of Arts)

Entry Pathway: Audition and interview

Study:

Bachelor, Masters and Graduate Diploma: full time.

Bachelor of Arts Honours: three quarter time

Disability: Specific Learning Disability

Accommodations:

Extra essays in lieu of exams Verbal presentations

Note takers

Longer borrowing periods for library books

Assistance to find library books

“For me I knew that I was never going to be able to sit an exam. The way my dyslexia works means that an exam situation would just not be feasible so I negotiated with lecturers to find a whole range of other ways to have my skills and abilities tested that didn’t require me to sit an exam”.

Due to my dyslexia my grades at school were not outstanding which prevented me from being able to enter tertiary education based solely on my grades. Once I was formally diagnosed with dyslexia I wanted to tap into the intelligence that I knew I had and discovered a course that enabled me to enter based on an audition and an interview.

I have always been an intelligent person and I wanted to exercise that intelligence and develop a career that would be challenging and fulfilling. This entry pathway was perfect for me as I was not judged on one sole criterion (writing skills) but a breadth of other talents and skills that I had.

“Every person has their limitations and frustrations in life. However the decision is yours to make whether you sit at home and complain that life is not fair or thumb your nose at those limitations and turn them into exciting opportunities”.

My studies have given me self confidence in my own abilities and in my own intelligence. At school I was always considered by my teachers to be lazy and that I had not bothered to put in the work. One teacher finally stated that she ‘didn’t think that I was a bright as originally thought and that being able to fool people when I was dumb was not a bad thing’. My mother was told, in my last couple of years at high school that university was never going to be an option for me as I was just not bright enough.

Four years after finishing school at the age of twenty I was diagnosed with dyslexia and doors opened up for me that I never thought were possible. Thirteen years after finishing school this lazy and dumb student had a Bachelor of Arts Degree, First Class Honours Degree, Master of Arts by Research and had won a continuing position at a university.

University study has provided me with the opportunity to identify what my learning style is and how to overcome and go around barriers caused by my disability. By understanding what works for me the very real abilities and skills that I bring to any project are now effectively harnessed and utilised.

I still have to work hard and sometimes I get frustrated when the barriers play games with me and my strategies don’t seem to work but these days are few and far between and just allow me even more creative methods to expand my ever developing skills base.

Listen to advice from people who have an understanding of learning disabilities but also play with that advice, twist it round and filter it through a kaleidoscope to see what works for you - don’t ever worry that the methods you develop seem improbable if the system works for you go for it!

“One of the challenges for me in undertaking tertiary study was my own self confidence. I was able to tap into the intelligence that I knew I had but was also able to express it in a way that I knew would bring it out”.

Don’t leave things to the last moment – slow and steady – a little bit every day.

If you are looking at what assignments are due when and there are many due all at once (usually at the end of semester) then check if there is a big gap at the beginning of the semester and start some earlier. Alternatively, if you have to choose when to do an assignment put your hand up for one of the early spots as it gets an assessment out of the way before the rush at the end of the term.

Make sure that you schedule time to double check your referencing and reference lists.

If you find that you are stuck on a sentence just stop the sentence where you are and start with the next bit. Go back later and see if you can pick up the thread.

If a really good idea pops into your head or a neat little sentence or line – just jot it down for later.

When I was doing my Masters – I knew roughly how many words that I needed to write each day and I did exactly that. Then I got up from my computer and gave myself the rest of the day off. In addition I always made sure that I had a day off each week so that I didn’t go completely mad!

University has taught me a whole range of skills that I wouldn’t have had. It has taught me how to talk to people, how to research and most of all has given me confidence in my own abilities. University study has also taught me how to use computers which as a mature age person I thought only techie people could use and these new skills have opened the whole world up for me.

Number 1- Disability Staff

Speak to the Disability Liaison Officer or support staff at your tertiary institution. The earlier that you speak to disability staff the more chance you have to set yourself up for a good transition.

Disability staff know what the options are, and are willing to hear from you as to what you think you need to successfully study. Disability staff are an important resource. Don't be afraid to contact them.

Number 2 - Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and keep asking questions until you understand. Don’t be frightened to try new things and never be afraid to ask for help! It is only by asking that you find answers.

Number 3 - Find a Study Buddy

Find a buddy. Have someone to bounce ideas back off to provide you with assistance if you need it and to keep you on track. It is quite often the little things that you will need assistance with such as finding library books, locating lecture theatres and remembering dates. Study buddies make great friends.

Number 4 - Make Friends

Make friends and try different things. Enjoy your time at university and investigate the social activities.

"One final tip always use the spell check and make sure that it is set to Australian English!"

Put your hand up when opportunities arise to meet and network with people.

Participate on committees and student bodies. It is important that you communicate and meet with people from a range of industry sectors and start exploring diverse career paths.

By volunteering to be on student committees and committees that cross organisations it enables people to see the skills that you have. As a result of networking and active participation on a range of committees I was offered a short term contract and I have now won a permanent position.

Look laterally at opportunities that are around you. You may not end up working in the area that you have studied as many skills that you acquire and develop during your studies are transferable skills for example research and communication skills. I am now working in the equity and diversity field within human resources. This is a different field from my initial study but utilises my transferable skills.