James Thomson’s student journey was over a decade in the making and is one of persistence, dedication and devotion.
Since beginning his studies in 2010, James has endured chronic health issues, gained professional employment, restarted university part-time, got married, had a child, changed degree, had another child, bought a house and then finally graduated at the end of 2022.
To call James determined would be an understatement.
“I’ve always had an interest in maths, so I decided that a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Mathematics) was the way to go,” says James. “I first started studying in 2010 but ended up dropping out due to health issues. I started again in 2016, so I was studying for 6 years, part-time, online. But in the end, the degree I completed was a Bachelor of Science (Maths).
“I transferred halfway through because I had landed a job in business intelligence that I really enjoyed at Regional Australia Bank. And by that time, I had lost interest in becoming a high school maths teacher, plus all my completed units were eligible to transfer and it was also shorter degree.”
One of the biggest obstacles James had to overcome was at the beginning of his studies. “My first big challenge was being diagnosed with a chronic illness and seeing out my first term from hospital. The next term I was recovering health-wise but was completely unprepared for online study and had lost my motivation. I failed some units, which was a bit of a shock: I had always excelled academically through high school,” says James.
“In that context it was a massive achievement just getting through my first trimester back in 2016. I ended up getting really good results, which meant more to me than I expected. My initial failures were a mental burden I had been carrying without really knowing it, so getting through those units gave me a lot of confidence to keep going.”
My initial failures were a mental burden I had been carrying without really knowing it, so getting through those units gave me a lot of confidence to keep going.
However, that was not the only bump in the road. The cycle of facing difficulties and then triumphing over them continued.
“My health issues resurfaced soon after re-starting uni, plus I had to constantly balance study with an increasingly busy work and home life. On one occasion, I sat an exam on the same day as a funeral for a close friend, after also finding out that morning my wife was pregnant with our first child. That was an emotional rollercoaster of a day.
“Overall, my biggest achievement was simply reaching the end and graduating.”
But how do you remain focused on your goals and continue to study after so many setbacks? For James, it was drawing strength from those around him.
“I’ve had a lot of help from family, friends, and work colleagues along the way,” says James. “Biggest thanks has to go to my wife, who kept our household running, was a sounding board for my assignments (despite having no interest in the content) and on more than one occasion talked me out of quitting.
I’ve had a lot of help from family, friends, and work colleagues along the way.
“Now she is studying, so it’s my turn to return the favour!”
It’s also safe to say James learnt just as much about himself as he did about his study discipline.
“I started out as a bit of a perfectionist, but I was a lot more pragmatic by the end,” says James. “I still enjoy mathematics, especially recreational mathematics, but I was a bit surprised to find that I have a passion for working with data and technology. I’ve also learnt that I really dislike studying over Christmas.”
And his advice to other university students?
“Keep going; you’ll get there in the end. Try to enjoy life on the way. And listen to the recorded lectures on 2x speed.”
Keep going; you’ll get there in the end.
