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This single mum returned to school at 40 – sharing polytechnic life with her teenage son
🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

This single mum returned to school at 40 – sharing polytechnic life with her teenage son

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Sharifah Radhia returned to school at 40, studying business analytics at Temasek Polytechnic alongside her 18-year-old son, Muhammad Abbas, who is studying cybersecurity.
  • The mother and son shared the campus experience, navigating assignments and exams, though in different courses and schedules.
  • Radhia pursued further education to remain relevant and challenge the notion that learning becomes difficult after 40, while Abbas expressed pride in his mother's achievement.

Sharifah Radhia, a single mother of three and full-time operations manager, defied expectations by returning to school at the age of 40. She spent the past year studying for a specialist diploma in business analytics at Temasek Polytechnic, sharing the campus with her 18-year-old son, Muhammad Abbas, who is pursuing a diploma in cybersecurity.

I always knew she could do it. But seeing my mum actually up there, in the gown and receiving her specialist diploma, it felt very different. I was there for a very important moment in her life.

— Muhammad AbbasExpressing pride in his mother's graduation.

While their courses and schedules differed, Radhia attended evening classes twice a week, they shared the common student experience of tackling assignments and exam stress. Abbas expressed immense pride watching his mother graduate, stating, “I always knew she could do it. But seeing my mum actually up there, in the gown and receiving her specialist diploma, it felt very different.”

Radhia's decision to pursue further education was driven by a desire to prove she was "capable of more" and to counter the belief that learning becomes challenging after 40. She recognized the need to stay current with workplace skills, particularly in data analytics, a field that utilizes statistics she had previously struggled with.

capable of more

— Sharifah RadhiaHer motivation for returning to school.

Her specialist diploma in business analytics, focusing on statistics, is intended to keep her skills relevant in the evolving job market. The evening classes allowed her to balance her demanding job and family responsibilities, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth.

I don’t want to be so comfortable that I stop learning anything new.

— Sharifah RadhiaHer philosophy on continuous learning.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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