Asking whether she was being ‘too ambitious’ taking on a higher-level subject, Dr Andrew Piper wrote back to assure her: ‘there is nothing wrong with being ambitious. Keep it up and don’t doubt your ability to do great things.’

 

Though she continued to battle self-doubt along the way, this advice stayed with her, as well as a healthy dose of courage evident in beginning her studies.

 

“While I was on leave from work, and in lockdown during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself doing copious amounts of family history research while my twin daughters were doing online schooling, and the idea to study history and eventually change careers started to take shape,” Lisa says.

 

“I spoke to the Local History Officer at the library nearby and she recommended that I look into UNE’s history degrees, as they were known to be the most highly regarded in the industry.”

While admitting undertaking online studies can be “quite daunting” – especially as a mature age student – she says the UNE systems helped keep her connected.

 

“The online forums where students can share content, ask questions and help each other are so beneficial and the sense of camaraderie online is amazing.

 

“Technology can be a challenge for online students, but the IT helpdesk is always available and helpful when things go wrong. UNE also has some amazing online guides and tutorials for students. I never felt isolated or unsure about anything because I knew UNE’s staff and support services were always only a click or a phone call away.”

 

Lisa says another highlight was the opportunity to be involved in some fascinating work undertaken by the history department.

 

“The opportunities to participate in UNE’s research projects were thoroughly enjoyable as the UNE history department makes you feel like you are an important part of the team. These fantastic opportunities help history students to learn additional skills while contributing to exciting research projects, and they enhance their sense of belonging to UNE.”

 

So great was Lisa’s sense of belonging that while delivering the Vote of Thanks on behalf of her student cohort at the Summer Graduation Ceremony this December, she commented her first time on campus felt like being “welcomed home”.

 

She attributes this to the support she received along the way.

 

“Everything that I have achieved has surprised me!” she says. “I feel like I have improved so much from the very first assessment that I submitted, which is due to the incredible feedback from the staff in the History, Classics and Archaeology Department.

 

“Their hints and tips as well as positive feedback and encouragement greatly helped my research and writing skills, and I am forever grateful to all of my unit coordinators for their support.”

 

Having now graduated with an Advanced Diploma of Local, Family and Applied History, Lisa has jumped into the Bachelor of Historical Inquiry and Practice.

 

With her improved skills, strong academic achievement and newfound confidence – and having come out the other side of a global pandemic – we don’t doubt her continued study success and ability to ‘do great things’.

 

Image: Lisa Bell gave the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the student cohort at UNE’s December graduation ceremony, 2022. Photo by David Elkins.