When Anita Lakic was in high school, one of her teachers said, "you will never amount to anything."
At the time, Anita was keen on studying law, but after this feedback, she lost her confidence.
Anita with Brodie and Mila.
Fast forward a few years and Anita regained her confidence and is now studying law at UNE.
Until recently, Anita was working as an administrator for a mining company, but decided to re-focus her career after having kids. She thought about becoming a teacher but decided she was "too argumentative to be an educator."
Anita did not finish high school, so she needed to complete a Pathways Course through UNE. She then enrolled in a Bachelor of Legal Studies, but has since transitioned into a Bachelor of Laws.
Anita was recently diagnosed with ADHD. This can make studying challenging - she can verbally give an answer, but sometimes struggles to put her thoughts on paper.
Notwithstanding this, since starting her legal studies, Anita has learnt to analyse issues in more depth. She is able to look at both sides of the story and play devil’s advocate.
Upon asking Anita for tips relating to studying with children, she notes "coffee is key - lots of it."
Coffee is key - lots of it.
Anita also has two 'neuro-spicy’ kids, so school holidays can be especially difficult. "I try to give my kids activities to do whilst I am studying, but the kids tend to bounce off the walls. Sometimes I relent and offer screen time. I do whatever I can to survive!"
When my kids get frustrated, I explain to them that this degree will eventually help us to live a better life. The mum guilt is always there and finding a healthy balance is always a struggle. My partner is a FIFO (fly in, fly out worker), so we have to negotiate everything as a family whilst my partner is away."
When my kids get frustrated, I explain to them that this degree will eventually help us to live a better life. The mum guilt is always there and finding a healthy balance is always a struggle.
Anita’s kids Brodie (5) and Mila (7) are little champions - just recently Anita collapsed on the bathroom floor after a particularly awful bout of food poisoning. Her daughter Mila opened Anita’s phone and called for help. This is particularly phenomenal given Mila experienced a language delay until she was 4 years old.
Anita was very unwell after this health scare, but, again, her kids stepped up and helped look after both themselves and their mum.
"All the skills I taught the kids, such as cooking and self-care skills came in very handy during this time."
Anita is only fairly new to her law journey, but hopes to eventually work as an advocate focusing on civil law.
