Enrolled Nurse Bobby-Jo Nielson was keen to upgrade her qualifications to become a Registered Nurse but, as a mum, she also knew she needed flexibility to fit her studies in with her home life in North West Tasmania.
She found that balance with the University of Tasmania’s Bachelor of Nursing, with its combination of on-campus and online learning.
And her previous Diploma of Nursing allowed her to fast-track her degree and study it in two years instead of three, getting her back into the workforce faster.
But she quickly found that flexible study options are only half the equation: being able to access those options is just as vital.
“I did my Diploma of Nursing through TasTAFE, did it all from home,” she said. “Then, when I had kids, life gets busy and noisy at home, too many distractions.
“And I live out of town a bit, so the internet can be touch and go.”
After asking around for recommendations for quiet places to study, she heard about the Study Centre Circular Head in Smithton.
Now she goes there every week to watch the online lectures and complete her work in a peaceful space with no interruptions.
“It’s quiet, safe, the resources are amazing, printing, the internet is really good.”
The Australian Government has invested millions of dollars to create community-owned, Regional University Study Hubs at sites across regional Australia to provide a vital support system for regional and remote university and vocational students.
Study Centre Circular Head provides learners with access to a campus like facility that provides essential academic support and services like study spaces, video conferencing, computing facilities, free internet access.
The University of Tasmania maintains a presence at Study Centre Circular Head in the form of a Community Learning Officer, who can help students with navigating University systems, applying for courses, accessing student supports., and more.
Bobby-Jo said the flexible nature of her course and access to the Study Centre had made it possible for her to make the transition back into study.
“It’s nice to have the flexibility of being able to sit down and do [your study] at a time when you can really give it your all. It’s been nice to ease into it.
“At home there’s distractions or washing or visitors, there’s always something, so I study better here. I can come and go as I please, which is really nice.”
Regional University Study Hubs
If you’re studying remotely through the University of Tasmania – or planning to – and you’re concerned about accessing the internet, or just finding a quiet space to study, check out the Study Hubs located in Sorrell, St Helens, and in the North and West in Smithton, King Island and Zeehan, and find everything you’ll need.