Study for a Brighter Future?

I breathed a sigh of relief when my final CPA Australia exam was over last week. I have spent 2.5 years as well as thousands of dollars to complete this course.

Because of COVID-19, I had to finish the final exam online from home. It was a very different and challenging experience. Not only had the exam structure changed completely, but I also had to meet the technical requirements and rearrange the furniture at home so I could use the bedroom for the exam.

Anyway, I was grateful that I was still able to take the exam during the pandemic. I appreciated the adaptability of the course provider, and am also proud of myself for being able to complete the study after graduating from university so many years ago. Working and studying at the same time is not easy, especially when moving countries… But I did it anyway!

I was considered an old student as many of my younger colleagues / ex-colleagues already got the qualification. Why did I take so long to study? Because I thought working experience is more important than a piece of paper. But, I have changed my mind.

Here is something that I wrote 2.5 years ago: “I cannot deny that it is the sense of job insecurity that urges me to study, but I also know that it shouldn’t be the only reason.”

I have learned something along the journey and am glad that I finally did it.

I studied very hard. When my colleagues told me that there is no need to study hard as there is no difference between getting a High distinction and Pass – I was silent.

If I do something, I want to make sure that I am giving the best of me, or I will not be doing it at all. I want to prove to myself that I can do it. A little bit of encouragement would be nice, but I think I am competitive in nature anyway. I do not want to study just to get a certificate as I want to make the best use of my time and money. Perhaps, this is because I always need to rely on myself which shapes my personality.

Once my ex-boss told me: Do not be a victim. Be a player.

If the current situation is not ideal, find ways to change. And do your best.

I am not sure if I will have a brighter future or if I can get a more permanent job in the near future (as I know it is very difficult in COVID-19 time), but I am ready to make a change. That was the mindset that made me go back to study and brought me to New Zealand & Australia.

It is time to plan for a better future.