In our new ongoing series of blog posts, Charlotte, who has just started a part-time distance learning degree in law, is going to document her experiences of studying alongside her work as a translator. In this first blog, she considers the start of the course and what it could mean for her work-life balance.
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The small bout of technical hiccoughs over, I am finally enrolled on my first module of the Open University’s Bachelor of Laws programme and ready to start my distance learning journey. But am I really and truly ready?
Excitement mingles with doubts as I contemplate what lies ahead. Although my career as a translator has allowed me to hone my research skills to some extent, it has been many years since I last undertook any kind of formal study. Am I still capable of this level of learning? Only time will tell.
And thinking of time, how will I fit everything in? My colleagues at Priory Translations are wonderfully flexible and understanding, as well as willing to give me some leeway to allow for study, but my work is important to me and I certainly don’t want to compromise it.
Aside from that, there are commitments outside work which I could sacrifice if need be. But what, if anything, should I drop?
I could stop going to choir, but singing makes me feel good. Plus I know what’s coming after Christmas, and there is no way I will turn down the opportunity to sing Verdi’s Requiem in Ely Cathedral!
I could stop playing hockey, except that I believe it is vital to my mental and physical well-being. Aside from the obvious benefits of physical exercise, my hockey teammates are my best friends and the time I spend with them brings me an immense amount of happiness.
Despite having a busy full-time job himself, my husband already does the vast majority of the cooking in our house, as well as an awful lot of the ironing, and we have a cleaner to do the weekly clean. So, realistically, I can’t find the extra time by shirking my household chores, such as they are.
I come to my daughter last because she is the most important thing in my life, and I already worry that I spend too little time with her. For instance, a few days ago she asked me what my New Year’s Resolution would be, and when I asked her for suggestions her response was simply “To spend more time with me”.
There is only so much time in a day and, given the many things that already fill it, can I really find time for this venture? I do hope so.
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