From mom to media studies student

Returning to school isn’t always a straight path. Sometimes, it’s a leap of faith taken between parenting duties, late-night study sessions and the pursuit of a dream. For Jay, a 30-year-old single mom of two, enrolling in the Digital Media Studies program at Vancouver Island University was a dream that she didn’t think possible at first.

“I had a lot of people saying that it wasn't possible as a single parent to go back for a degree, and that I wouldn't be able to do it with two kids, especially two young kids,” she said. “It was really important to me to be able to include them in what I was going through on a day-to-day basis as much as possible.”

Why did you choose VIU? 

I chose VIU because it was local to where I was living when I started the program. Also, as a single parent, you have to take into consideration the custody of your children and your support system.

Why did you choose the Digital Media Studies program? 

I've always been a very creative person. I was always really drawn to filmmaking, but I knew as a single parent going into the film industry wasn't feasible. I chose Digital Media Studies because it was the one program I could find in Canada that would really let me focus on what I wanted to do and it gave me the opportunity to tailor the degree to what my goals were. I like being able to have the foundations of a bunch of different things. It also allowed me to figure out things that I ended up being really good at.

Did you have any doubts or fears coming back as a single parent?

I had a lot of people telling me that it wasn't possible as a single parent to go back for a degree, that I wouldn't be able to do it with two kids, especially two young kids. People told me if I did go back to school I should go back to school for something more practical. With digital media, it's not as simple as, say nursing or even a trades program, where you walk out and you have a job. We’re more of a jack of all trades, where we learn a lot of the basics of a lot of different things.

What’s your favourite thing about university?

It really does push you out of your comfort zone. I'm more introverted than extroverted, so I don't necessarily like working in groups, but I've met so many amazing people in the degree that I can see myself staying connected to. It also gives you the skills to network, which you really need working in a creative industry. If I had gone to university right out of high school, I would not have gotten as much out of it as I am now.

What supports have made the most difference for you? 

All of my professors have been very understanding that I am a parent. Sometimes I have to put my kids first. They've always been more than willing to help me find ways to get my kids involved. Just making sure that line of communication is open so that we can agree on how to accommodate things has made a really big difference in helping me finish the program. It's also really nice that if I do have to bring my kids to campus, there is the family room in the library, that's really helpful.

I applied for a scholarship going into my second year of the program and received one through the Beedie Luminaries SPARK program. It helps me cover the expenses of tuition and provides a living stipend so I don't have to worry about the cost of living while also trying to be a parent and go to school. It's for a single parent specifically, but they also have really cool scholarships for students just graduating from high school, for students who have just immigrated here and they just started one for trade students.

What advice would you give other parents or mature students returning to school?

My biggest piece of advice would be to get your kids involved. I didn't want them to just see me looking at textbooks. It was really important to me to be able to include them in what I was going through on a day-to-day basis as much as possible. I’m so excited to be able to do the graduation ceremony in June and to have both my boys there and for them to actually understand what that means. And also to give them something to work towards. As much as it’s something I’ve accomplished, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.

The only other thing I would say is: Be very transparent going in. Let your classmates know that you are a parent and you do have other things you have to consider during your day-to-day rather than just getting a project done. Have that conversation with your professors early so that they understand and so that you can figure out ways to overcome any obstacles together.