One of the experiences every mother has to endure is that of seeing off her child on their first day of school. While some mothers look forward to some more time for themselves, others find it hard to let go. Then there are those mothers who switch roles and decide to pursue full-time studying. Claire Caruana speaks to three mothers who went back to school to read for a degree.

Tanya Brincat

Tanya Brincat went from being a full-time mother to graduating twice in the span of two years. She first read for an honours degree in German, and then for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in German.

Her children, who are now in their twenties, were seven and ten when she first started taking lessons in practical philosophy. These inspired her to seek out other courses and, as her children were still quite young, Tanya only attended courses which were held in the morning.

“I started attending morning classes for child psychology and later adolescent psychology. This created an insatiable thirst to learn. I then decided to do an ECDL course, as I was not technologically savvy. After that I started to think about how much I had loved German at school, but never had the chance to take it any further.”

After following a four-year course, Tanya sat for an O Level in German and followed this up with an A Level.

As both her children were still quite young when she took the first courses, Tanya insists they were not affected by her decision

“I attended the Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary and sat for the A Level within a year,” she says.

Tanya applied to University and was accepted the following October.

“I entered University as a personal challenge to myself, not because of any need for it. I realised that education is a life-long learning process,” she quips.

As both her children were still quite young when she took the first courses, Tanya insists they were not affected by her decision as they would be at school. Although she attended University when both were older and occupied with their own studies, Tanya admits they did feel that she was busier than before.

She points out striking a balance between school life and home life could at times be difficult.

“It wasn’t always easy. I worked very hard and it never crossed my mind to quit. That is until I got to the teaching practice stage but then again, I knew if I worked hard for it, I could achieve it.

“Teaching practice was probably the most challenging experience throughout the four years at University. I had plenty of work to cram in just six weeks,” explains Tanya.

Tanya insists being a mother helped her immensely while studying and kept her going even when things became difficult.

“Being a mother has taught me that learning never ends; it taught me to remain committed to my goals and not to stop until I achieved them; to have enough confidence not to give up too easily. Even if obstacles got in my way, because mistakes are a learning opportunity.”

Tanya is quick to urge mothers who are interested in furthering their education to take the plunge and pursue their ambitions.

“Going back to school has truly enriched my life and although at times it’s stressful and there are sacrifices to be made, it is one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

Tanya has no regrets and would do it all again in a heartbeat. “Several new opportunities are being presented to me, how could anyone regret that?”

Isabelle Spina

Isabelle Spina is reading for an honours degree in communications and European studies. Her course is four years long and she is in her third year. Isabelle is also the mother of three boys, seven-year-old Luca and twins Andrea and Matteo who are only a year and a half.

Her oldest son, Luca was only three when she started university.

“Luca had already started attending school so the impact was minimal, though he would voice his concerns at why I was spending so much time studying for exams during weekends,” says Isabelle, adding the twins are still too young to have their say but they still make it clear when they miss her.

Isabelle worked at an IT company for 13 years before deciding to go back to school. Although she regards her time working as positive and which allowed her to gain invaluable experience in various areas, she felt a degree would help take her career to the next level.

“After working in different roles within the company I felt it was time to take it a step further and specialise in one field. I consider getting my degree as the first step to specialising in a particular area,” says Isabelle.

The first year at university, especially the first semester, were the toughest for Isabelle who had to adopt to a new system, new approaches and new faces.

“I was also missing work and my ex-colleagues, some of whom I regard as good friends. However the hardest part was trying to embrace and balance out this new phase and making the best out of it,” explains Isabelle.

Isabelle’s experience at university was made even more special in her second year when she became pregnant once again.

“We were pleasantly surprised to learn that we were expecting twins! At first I was in a bit of a dilemma because I was not sure how things were going to turn out but my husband and I decided to take it step by step. So I applied for, and was granted, a one year suspension from the course to stay home and take care of the twins in their first months,” she recalls.

She then continued the course when Andrea and Matteo were 10 months old.

Isabelle is quick to add that she is always makes sure her boys are all settled while she is attending lectures.

“Luca attends school and Andrea and Matteo are taken care of by my parents or my husband’s parents. Not all my days are packed up with lectures so there are days when I pick up Luca from school, take him to other activities or go straight back home.

“I also make it a point to check Luca’s homework and spend time with him playing or reading on a daily basis. I do my best to balance my time and give attention to all my kids’ needs,” she says.

Isabelle admits weekdays can be quite hectic at times but she makes it a point to spend time with her children when she returns home. House chores and shopping are mainly done during the weekend when her husband can stay at home and help take care of the boys.

“It’s a process involving a lot of teamwork. Coordination and planning are crucial to making it work.”

After giving birth to Andrea and Matteo, Isabelle admits the situation was not always so easy and there were times when the thought of giving up did cross her mind.

“There were instances when I thought that coping would be too much stress on my family and myself, however I am always surrounded with supportive people and that kept me at bay from quitting,” she adds.

For Isabelle, planning ahead is crucial, as is making the most of the free time between lectures.

“I prefer to attend lectures, pay attention and then take all the time possible to work either between free lessons, when the kids are sleeping during the day or when my husband takes over,” says Isabelle of her work ethic.

Isabelle hopes to be a role model to her children and is determined, more than ever, to get the degree she has been working so hard for.

“Life is not always easy but with determination and the right level of support a person can achieve the desired targets. Mothers who are interested in going back to school should really and truly be assertive in their decision. I would advise them to weigh the pros and cons carefully and then really decide if it’s feasible or not. In my case having the full support of my husband and help from our parents was a determining factor.

“I wouldn’t have gone back without a realistic plan that worked for the whole family. “Going back has given me a sense of empowerment and, as much as I love my family, of doing something for myself. I feel lucky in having the opportunity to further my studies and being able to take a course that I love.”

Vicky Mizzi

Vicky’s transition back to school to read for an honours degree in English was slightly easier as she was already engaged in teaching the language as a foreign language. She wanted to cement her knowledge academically and so applied to university.

Her three children are in their twenties and she insists her decision to pursue full-time studies was made possible with their constant support.

Returning to school meant Vicky had to abandon her role as tutor and adapt to once again being a student.

“Apart from teaching foreign students and doing voluntary work, I dedicated the rest of my time to the family. It was not a matter of returning back to school, but rather adapting to the shifting of roles: from a tutor to taking notes in the lecture hall,” she says.

Even though her children were already pursuing tertiary education themselves, Vicky admits juggling student life and fulfilling her role as a mother had its set of challenges.

“I think the most notable challenges were time management and a significant change in lifestyle. In spite of this, abandoning my course and my fellow classmates never occurred to me at the time.”

Choosing what topic to work on for her dissertation proved to be a difficult task for Vicky, as was sitting for her final exams.

The set of skills Vicky gained from being a mother came to be very useful during her time at University.

“Prioritising, multitasking, sleepless nights, not to mention disaster-recovery, all these become second-nature to a mother. This toolkit proved quite useful for student life.

“Being a mother should not hinder one’s choices or limit opportunities. Whether it is reading for a degree, pursuing a career, or otherwise,” she insists.

“My time at University proved a self-fulfilling journey and unarguably a huge academic investment. In this respect I have absolutely no regrets.”