Last year I wrote a post on going to Uni at 25. 

Now I am officially 25 and I start university in July joining in second semester. Which sounds crazy to me! It still doesn’t feel real and I don’t think it will till I start my course.

At the start of January as the place I was working was pulling down the majority of the Back to school promo I started to have a mini panic attack that in less than 6months I was going to be starting school too and I didnt have any supplies or even know what supplies I need. So I panic bought some notebooks, highlighters and a pencil case, because why not?

But in reality supplies are the least of my worries.
For starters although I am enrolled into my course my current battle is payment. Studylink. Every kiwis worst nightmare. And I have never been taught how to use studylink.

My first issue is the fact that I can get my student loan payed for which is perfect but because I am in a relationship I am deemed unworthy, no matter what income I put into the box, for any student allowance. I am expected to live off my partner. Which I find absurd. The government should be making it easier for older people with lives apply for Uni without the financial burden. Not harder. For an 18 year old may use their student loan on accommodation and O week, I was looking for a little support for rent and food so not everything falls on my partner and so I can still work and study successfully. But that is not allowed.

Which is why I chose my university very carefully. I knew I couldn’t afford to study full time and I wanted online courses. When I found Massey university did distance learning I emailed querying if it would be suitable for someone working full time to take this course. I was told each course had 7years to complete it in and it was up to me how many courses/credits I wanted to enroll into each semester. They gave me advice on what people working full time and studying would usually do and it was completely in my control.
This filled me with confidence that I could successfully do this while still working and not be in financial shit. It gives me more control over my schedule and has meant I can ease myself in to studying again at my pace and not feel like im failing and made the worst mistake of my life.
Which is my biggest fear with going back into education.

-fingers crossed this doesn’t happen.- 

Last year I wrote a post called ’24 and unemployed’ and a lot has changed in the year. 

At the time of turning 24, I was lost, scared and my confidence had dropped massively thanks to my work situation. So I wanted to reflect on all the things I achieved in my 24^th year around the sun.

1. I got my dream job at the time.
2. I was receiving positive and constructive feedback to learn new skills thus boosting my confidence in my profession.
3. I enrolled into university.
4. I moved to the countryside and started a new farm life.
5. Bought a new car.
6. I started driving again, thus building my confidence within driving again.
7. I got engaged to the love of my life.
8. I became a dog mom.
9. Made it through an ongoing pandemic.

The reason I wanted to reflect on these things and share them is because they’re not all big things. They’re not all massive achievements. They are not even CV worthy. But changing my job and changing my outlook on my future and goals changed my mental health for the better.
For my 24^th birthday my friend got me a gratitude journal to help me see the positive in the small things. It was a real wake up call for me that I wasn’t just affecting myself, I was bringing everyone around me down and just in general not being a good friend. Id lost focus on almost everything in my life and I felt like I couldn’t do anything but lie on my couch all day.

Now I read, lots. I drive places, I plan adventures I go for walks and pet goats. I laugh, I smile and I don’t worry about little things or disbelief in myself anymore. I turned 25 and I am so ready for the year ahead. I am ready to start back in education for the first time in 8 years! I am ready to plan my wedding and im ready to accomplish lots in my new job too.

Look for the rainbow in anything, its there. You just might have to tilt your head a little to change the view and youll start to see it brighter.