Stuck in a rut

Hey IM's,

I feel as of late I'm stuck in a rut.

For the past three years I've been studying my dream degree (dream career) and working PT. I'm a single mum on a PT working wage only receiving a percentage of FA (A&B) from the gov for my child. My child is in high school, life in general is a huge expense and we live on a tight but manageable budget.

But as the years went on, life in general as you know it became more expenses; rent, electricity/gas, school expenses, uni books etc. honestly I couldn't even financially afford to study. I had sacrificed so much to be doing just that.

4 weeks ago, I made the shit decision to let go of uni. It was like loosing a huge chunk of who I was. I'm still an emotional mess and I'm overanalysing ways to figure out another way. As I've studied long and hard for 3 years.

My work was great, once I informed them regarding uni, they bumped up my hours to FT. 0 complaints from me, I'm fortunate that the team I work in are so amazing, i have a pretty cushy job and the pay each fortnight I feel so blessed. But I've completely lost all motivation to be there, and just feeling meh! Blank. I'm kicking myself, as I feel so unappreciated, I'm so fortunate to be in the position I am. But it's not my chosen career. And i feel like I've wasted 3 years at uni, all those tears, sacrifices, achievements and goals, are now just on the back burner.

How do I find a way to get me out of this rut? How do I accept uni may not eventuate and I have to accept the fact it's just not going to happen. I need to find a way to enjoy my work again, whilst also accepting the loss of my chosen career. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated 😊.

Over the weekend, I had a thorougher search online regarding genuine degrees you can do via online/correspondence that will give me the same qualification/recognition as if i studied on campus. As the degree I was previously doing was suposeable only available "on campus". So anyway, after hours and hours of looking I came across a university called 'Unervisity of New England', despite me being in a different state, it wouldn't entirely matter as long as I met their criteria. It was the only online uni that offfered the degree I wanted to do, and solely online.

Now my question is. Has anyone heard of this uni and if so how was your experience?

I've checked out a bunch of reviews and even spoke to a few people I work with to see if they have heard of this. All positive reviews, so far. The online based UNI been around for 60+ years and has received a heap of awards... but as I'm an overthinker, still curious.

I wouldn't be able to attend until beginning of next year as they only have two intakes. I know it's not that far away, but I need to try and find the motivated and desire to enjoy my job at the same time. Hence the rut I'm in. I know there's hope, but feeling pretty shitty with my decision.

Thank you 😊