'Mum and I graduated from the same uni while pregnant. Here's what it taught me about ambition.'

Thanks to our brand partner, Charles Sturt University

In 2025, history repeated itself for Emily Rosina and her family. 

She stood in a cap and gown, ready to graduate with an early childhood degree from Charles Sturt University and step into her career.

At the same time, Emily was preparing for another life milestone — becoming a mum. She found out she was expecting just after finishing university.

"We found out we were expecting our first child, which added a whole new layer of meaning to that achievement," she tells Mamamia.

But this wasn't Emily's first time attending a graduation. Twenty-seven years earlier, she had been there in a very different way — in her mum's belly, while her mum wore her own Charles Sturt cap and gown.

For Emily, who was 23 weeks pregnant during her ceremony, it was a full-circle moment.

The experience reshaped her understanding of ambition, timing, and how to build a future while living real life. Just over two months later, Emily welcomed her son early, on December 23 — just in time for Christmas.

Reflecting on her time at Charles Sturt, Emily credits the university's support for mature-age students with making it possible for her to pursue her degree. The experience has been invaluable, shaping her future both as a mum and as an early childhood educator.

The day of graduation.

Studying was never a 'given' for Emily, so her graduation was that much sweeter. 

"What stands out most is the pride I felt. Studying was never an easy path for me, and that moment felt like a quiet acknowledgement of how far I'd come," she said.

Emily had grown up hearing the story of her mum graduating from Charles Sturt while pregnant. The graduation photo had always been in the family home.

But it wasn't until Emily realised she'd be graduating pregnant herself that the significance truly landed.

"When I found out I was pregnant and realised I would be attending my own graduation pregnant too, just like my mum had 27 years earlier, it completely changed how I experienced the day," Emily explained. "It felt like a shared milestone, not just my achievement, but a moment that connected me to my mum in a really powerful way."

What had started as pride in finishing her studies became something deeper. Her mum's reaction was just as strong.

"She was incredibly emotional when she realised our journeys were mirroring each other, and, for both of us, it felt less like a coincidence and more like a full-circle moment across generations."

Sharing that experience changed how Emily saw both her mum — and herself.

"Even though we were at very different stages of life when we graduated, sharing that experience gave me a new appreciation for my mum and what she achieved."

"It also made me feel more confident in my own journey, like we were linked by a moment that mattered to both of us."

Emily and her mum graduating from Charles Sturt while expecting, 27 years apart. Image: Supplied.

Rethinking ambition and 'good timing'.

Before starting university, Emily's idea of "good timing" was narrow.

"Before starting my degree, 'good timing' felt very conditional," she said. "I didn't have much faith in myself that I could manage university study, especially while working full-time.

"In my mind, the perfect time would have been when life felt quieter, more settled, and when I felt more confident in my own abilities," she added. 

Graduating while pregnant shifted that belief entirely.

"Now, I'd tell anyone waiting for the perfect time that it often doesn't exist," she says. "Confidence builds through doing, not waiting, and life doesn't need to be perfectly aligned for your goals to matter."

Sharing this milestone with her mum also reshaped Emily's perception of ambition. She no longer sees it as a "rigid" thing, but something "flexible".

"It's no longer about perfect timing or constant forward motion, but about persistence, adaptability, and making space for life as it unfolds," she explains.

"Seeing our journeys mirror each other across generations made me realise that ambition can coexist with motherhood, and that it often grows stronger because of it."

Flexibility, support and connection while studying.

Emily comes from a third generation of women working with children and in education, and her path into early childhood began after finishing high school.

Volunteering at a long day care service helped confirm her direction, but when it came time to study, flexibility was essential.

"Before applying to universities, I needed to consider that I was working full-time and required flexibility to study online at my own pace," she told Mamamia.

"Charles Sturt University offered a program that perfectly matched these needs, allowing me to balance work and study while completing my early childhood education and teaching degree."

While studying, Emily relied heavily on flexible learning.

"Day-to-day, flexibility looked like completing assessments, reading learning materials, and watching recorded Zoom sessions during my lunch breaks at work, as well as almost every evening after dinner," she says.

She also valued being able to choose how many subjects she studied at once, calling the personalised study path a "huge advantage", adding that it made "all the difference".

"There were definitely moments when I thought, 'I couldn't have done this without that flexibility,' especially when balancing full-time work, personal commitments, and major life events."

Her number one tip for others about to embark on this journey? "Breaking study into small, achievable tasks and using flexible options like online learning can make it manageable," she says.

Emily also received financial support while studying.

"I received a financial scholarship from the NSW Department of Education for educators," she explained. Despite studying fully online at Charles Sturt, she didn't feel alone.

"Even online, I felt connected to other students and staff through group tasks, discussion boards, and live sessions," she added. "These small interactions helped me feel part of a learning community, even though we weren't in the same place."

Building a future, one step at a time.

Now on maternity leave, Emily is getting used to a different pace of life.

"Juggling mum life with post-graduation life has been a big adjustment, but it's also been rewarding," she said. "Right now, building my future looks slower and more intentional, and I'm okay with that."

Graduating has left her feeling optimistic about what's ahead, telling Mamamia, "I feel excited and more confident about the future.

"Completing my studies has shown me that I can take on challenges and achieve my goals, and it's motivated me to keep growing professionally while also planning for a balanced, fulfilling life for myself and my loved ones."

Looking back, Emily hopes her story can help others see that it's possible to juggle study, work, and family — even when life doesn't feel perfectly aligned. "It might feel overwhelming at first, but with flexibility, planning, and support, anyone can do it," she says. "Even small steps forward count toward your goal."

Discover how to reinvent your career with flexible online study at Charles Sturt University.

Featured image: Supplied.

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