Studying as an adult brought insights, personal time and numerous walks on the Rantaraitti

Anu, 46, has a background as a community nurse and currently works with children and young people. The spark to study mental health and substance abuse came through work. 

"I noticed how the increasing malaise among children and young people was reflected in my work. I wanted to learn more about the subject and gain new tools". 

Bravely heading towards new studies and the unknown Jyväskylä  

Jyväskylä was not a familiar city to Anu, but this did not bother her when she was choosing where to study. 

"I had only been to Jyväskylä a couple of times before, so I didn't know much about the city beforehand," Anu says. 

However, after a short period of research, Anu realised that the field she was interested in could be studied in Gradia, and that the distance between her home town of Lappeenranta and Jyväskylä was reasonable. So she applied, and soon found a place to study. 

However, Anu did not have to move to Jyväskylä, as she only had to study on site about once a month on one or two weekdays. There was no need for student accommodation either, as accommodation in Jyväskylä was conveniently arranged in a hotel. 

"The thing I was most nervous about was how I would navigate here. Fortunately, it wasn't difficult," Anu laughs.

Flexible studies where you're not alone 

Between family, work and life, it is very important to Anu that she has the possibility to study in a flexible way. Anu finds that the combination of distance and face-to-face learning is well organised at Gradia. 

"In addition to the days spent in Jyväskylä, I studied at home in Lappeenranta by doing assignments and development work for my own workplace," Anu says. 

Although Anu studied a lot from home in Lappeenranta, she did not have to study alone. As is often the case in studies, community and group support are the cornerstones of the study experience. 

"There were people of all ages and backgrounds, and we all got along really well. So it was a great bunch of people. The teachers were also very good at guiding and advising us slightly older students who had already been active for a few years," Anu sums up. 

In general, Anu finds her fellow students to be a smart bunch, with whom she quickly developed a good rapport. 

"The people are all so incredibly immediate and helpful. We set up a WhatsApp group for people in the same life situation to share advice on studies and support each other," says Anu. 

Studying in Jyväskylä gave her some time to herself 

For Anu, studying in Jyväskylä has given her valuable time to herself, allowing her to put aside other everyday responsibilities and busyness for a while.  

Anu hasn't spent much time in Jyväskylä in the traditional student life. Her days in Jyväskylä have largely been spent studying. When the day's responsibilities are wrapped up, she tends to head for Rantaraitti. 

"This is my favourite place in Jyväskylä. Every time I'm here I get to go for a walk. It's a great way to ventilate your thoughts," Anu says.  

Anu is full of praise for studying - her own field and studying in general - and recommends taking action. 

"Even if you feel like you know what you're doing, it's always great to go to the school to wake yourself up and get others' views and experiences in work and life. Knowledge and skills and new friends. It has definitely enriched my life!", Anu sums up the best part of the studies.

Text: Aapeli Tourunen, Männikkömetsä Oy

Photo: Anu thinks the best things about Jyväskylä are the nice people, walking on Rantaraitti and the harbour area.