Long road is worth the wait

Author: Damian Stannard

Photographer: All images used with permission.

A flashback to her rural childhood reminded Catherine Marsh how unorthodox journeys can be the most rewarding.

Once a source of frustration, Catherine Marsh’s rocky relationship with education – nine schools in less than 12 years – excites her desire to learn and grow.

As a young military brat, commencing a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science degree would have been an unpleasant prospect as she bounced between the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Kingaroy, Wagga Wagga, Toowoomba and Vancouver.

“When I left high school, uni wasn’t going to work for me,” she said.

“I’m glad I had the opportunity to do something else, then come back and enjoy it later. If you force it, you won’t enjoy it.”

Unconventional path

After leaving school, Catherine spent a decade working in the technology industry as a product designer before higher education re-emerged as a career pathway. In that time, she’d travelled extensively, experienced family troubles and discovered a talent for football refereeing.

Friends employed in the health industry sparked a curiosity in body literacy and she began posing questions, mostly to herself. Was it time to make a major change? Was university study the right direction and, if so, could she handle its demands?

After all that rumination, there were still a bundle of courses from which to choose. Physiotherapy? Occupational therapy? Nutrition science?

“I struggled a lot through the later part of high school. I think it was some undiagnosed ADHD,” Catherine said.

“I knew going into uni I was worried about my course work. And making sure I wasn’t allowing myself to be overwhelmed. I love it now, but that was daunting. I wanted to do well but I didn’t want to invite unnecessary stress.

“The lecturers really want you to learn and understand so they go out of their way to make sure it’s clicking.”

Making progress

Now, as she commences her third year of a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at ACU, Catherine’s options remain abundant.

But at least her future is bright, and the learning process is stimulating and rewarding. Membership of ACU’s Elite Athlete and Performer Program help balance refereeing, home life and study while she positions herself for whatever comes next.

During a recent ACU outreach tour to Queensland’s South Burnett region, Catherine was among a handful of undergraduates from the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences who shared their knowledge with scores of high school students. She confidently led the young learners through a series of workshops, including motor learning and fitness testing.

The week-long experience was an opportunity for Catherine to reflect on her own educational journey. Offering a taste of university to rural students, including many from her old home in Kingaroy, encouraged the participants to explore a variety of goals and pathways.

“Seeing the kids here have a couple more opportunities through school for some sport is really exciting,” she said. “I want to remind the kids if you’re good at something, you can pursue it and it doesn’t stop you from doing other things.

“I just wanted them to explore all the possible options.”

Are you ready to explore your options? Explore ACU’s courses.