took their toll, more than perhaps the degree was worth.
Alongside studying, I went through the highs and lows of
life. Not wanting to miss out on anything, I pushed myself to volunteer at wildlife
shelters, educational wildlife services, countless pet shops, vet clinics, zoos,
sanctuaries and wildlife parks, farms and for private collections. I also
worked for Phillip Island Nature Parks and did pet sitting. I completed a
certificate in ‘work in the animal care industry’, “Pet First Aid and CPR” and
became a black belt in karate. I also performed in no less than three amateur theatre
productions and began singing lessons.
I failed units, reattempted and failed again. I passed. I
cried, lay in bed for days, nearly gave up, persisted, laughed, learnt and
squealed with delight.
I must either be resilient, persistent and strong or
stubborn and pigheaded. I had some help through the disability department on
campus, but truthfully, they did more harm than good. I guess it is hard to
help someone when neither party knows how.
I lost my paternal nana a few months before I started my
degree, perhaps I did it for her, I know she would have been proud. I get my
stubborn streak from her. I want to write a book and educate others on nature;
I did my degree to educate myself in these things. Mostly though, I did my
degree to achieve something, to put myself in a new world and achieve what I
had always been told I could not do, but wholeheartedly wanted to. Now that I
have, I cannot decide if I would do it all again, but I do know I am proud of
myself and I proved them wrong.
Yes, it may seem like there were more lows than highs, but I
am not a whinger, not one to complain and rant and hold grudges. I am not
immune to letting my emotions get the better of me, that is just healthy - to
have emotions, but overall, I have enjoyed these 7 years. I let myself breathe
and be in the moment, I took in the sea air of Geelong and explored this new
area far from my home in Gippsland. I enjoyed family time and I have my mum, stepdad,
dad and boyfriend to thank for keeping me sane. I loved every single animal I
worked with and I met some incredible humans along the way too. I discovered
the world of academia and decided it is not for me, that the outdoors will
always be where my heart belongs. My love for Australian wildlife grew stronger
and ingrained with my love of science as well as the inexplicable things in
life. I was a mere 20 when I started on this journey, and now, at 28, I feel at
peace with a feeling of completion and achievement. Here is to the next 7
years!
KK