But there can be no accounting for sheer determination, of the kind demonstrated by law graduate Ellen Arena-Mikac.
Despite full-time work, plus operating her own hairdressing salon, caring for three children (two with a disability) and running her family’s household, Ellen completed her degree in five years and four months. Had she not failed – and had to re-sit – exams for some core units, it may well have been even sooner.
“Graduating in May was awesome … it was a big deal because I didn’t think I would get there,” Ellen said. “I had different challenges at different stages, including COVID and homeschooling the kids. Every time I failed an exam I’d be like ‘this is ridiculous; I can’t do this’. Then I would talk to a friend or have a big cry – that last year I cried a lot – and I would find that little something extra to keep going. I’m so glad I did.”
Forgoing weekends to study; listening to lectures while driving her kids to and from sport; a lot of very early mornings and very late nights got Ellen through. That, and a healthy attitude, the support of her family and friends, fellow students and UNE’s Student Wellbeing team.
“When you are juggling a lot in your life, passes and credits are the equivalent of distinctions and high distinctions,” Ellen said. “I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister and a friend, so I learnt not to diminish these results as big achievements. There is no perfect; there is only your best.”
Ellen is currently working with a division of the Department of Home Affairs and undertaking her 105 hours of Practical Legal Training, in order to be admitted to practice law. Longer-term ambitions to join the Human Rights Commission and “be a voice for the vulnerable” have their origins in her own life.
“We all have trauma from my first marriage and that was one of the driving forces for me studying law,” Ellen said. “I represented myself in the Family Law Court when I separated from the kids’ father and more recently took on the ACT Government for trying to terminate my eldest son’s employment.
“I appreciate the power of the law, but I also see areas where it fails people. I want to advocate for those who cannot afford top legal counsel; to use my qualifications to make change for people who are marginalised – those with disabilities, the elderly, Indigenous Australians and members of the LGBTQI+ community.”
The UNE Law Mums Facebook site was a great support during Ellen’s studies. “It’s a force to be reckoned with,” she said. “We lifted each other up constantly and normalised the fact that we were all struggling in some way. My experience with UNE was really positive, and one of my fellow students became an important mentor.
“Everything in my past and all that support helped me to get where I am now. I’ll turn 48 this year and hope I’ve shown my kids that you can better yourself no matter what your age. That if you want something bad enough and you’re prepared to put in the hard work, you’ll achieve it.”
