Going The Distance

Getting to know Haley Brown
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood)

What’s been your path to uni?

Out of high school I worked in cafes and bakeries. Having my own children gave me the push to do more. I wanted to show them that you don't have to stop where you land out of high school. I’ve always loved kids and teaching, so studying Early Childhood Education was a natural fit for me.

How do you find studying and being a mum?

It's not too bad. When I started uni I had just the one young son. Having a second child has made it slightly harder, but it's definitely still doable. I do a lot of late-night study because I want to spend quality time with them. I'm a night owl anyway so that's fine with me.

Does the distance student factor help?

Absolutely. It's one of the reasons I chose UC. I can watch the lectures online, anytime, when I'm in my pyjamas or folding washing. We have our own Facebook page and we've all grown really close through that. I really like being able to pause lectures and come back to them. It's a definite bonus as a mum!

Any other study secrets?

UC has a service called AskLive. It's amazing. It's a live chat connection to the library. You just jump online and say “Kia ora, I need help with this please” and they usually reply within 2 to 3 minutes. The library postage service is awesome too.

Any advice for others in your situation?

Definitely do it! You won’t regret it. I was pregnant on placement and had a baby in the holidays. It can be hard but it makes you grow as a person. The whole experience was awesome. Studying grounds you and keeps you focused on your end goal.

What does your UC journey represent for you?

It's a huge transformation. Before I was just doing jobs because I was good at hospitality. But now I get to do something I'm really passionate about. I get to look forward to going to work every day, and have the chance to be more creative and hands-on. It's an opportunity to actually make a difference for our children, their families and communities.