A Single Mother Returns to School at 40

At a graduation ceremony, people usually cheer for their children. But for 18-year-old Muhammad Abbas, it was the other way around.

In May, Abbas watched as his mother, Sharifah Radhia, received her diploma.

Sharifah is a single mother of three and a full-time manager. Abbas felt proud watching her graduate.

Abbas said, 'I knew she could do it. Seeing her get her diploma was a special moment.'

Sharifah and Abbas studied at the same school, Temasek Polytechnic.

Sharifah took evening classes for her business analytics diploma. Abbas studied cybersecurity.

Abbas said, 'We had different schedules, but we both had school assignments to do.'

Sharifah has a business management degree. She wanted to learn more.

She saw friends struggle with new systems at work. This made her want to go back to school.

Sharifah said, 'I didn't want to stop learning.'

She thought her new skills would be useful at work.

Her evening classes were from 7pm to 10pm, twice a week.

The course focused on statistics, which she liked.

Sharifah used to like math, but struggled with statistics. She wanted to improve.

Now, she understands statistics better and can use them in her work.

The timing was good. Her youngest child was in Primary 1, and her middle child was still in primary school.

Abbas had just started at Temasek Polytechnic. Sharifah was proud of him.

Abbas said, 'My mom inspired me to keep studying.'

Sharifah's eldest child helped her with her assignments.

He would help with his sister's homework and take her to tuition classes.

Abbas said, 'I helped my mom by doing small tasks at home.'

Sharifah appreciated Abbas's help. She knew he had his own life too.

Sometimes, Abbas saw his mom struggling with her assignments.

Sharifah doubted herself, but she kept going.

She balanced work, study, and parenting.

Sharifah said, 'I was tired after work and night class. I did my assignments on weekends.'

She studied in the living room so she could still be with her children.

Sharifah made time for her children. They went to the playground and had meals together.

She told her children, 'Let's go out, but then I need time to work.'

Sharifah's hard work inspired Abbas.

Abbas said, 'My mom taught me to be strong and keep going.'

Abbas was struggling with his digital art projects. He felt stuck.

Watching his mom learn new things made him want to try harder.

Sharifah wanted to show her children that learning is for everyone, no matter how old you are.

She wants other mothers to remember their own dreams and aspirations.

Sharifah said, 'You can be a mother, wife, and daughter, but don't forget to think about yourself.'

She said, 'It's better to try and fail than not try at all.'

CNA Women is a section that informs and empowers women. If you have news or ideas, you can email them.

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