Back to Study for a Housewife? Why Not?

Illustration by Raimy Sofyan
Illustration by Raimy Sofyan

Managing our time between family and work or school is certainly not easy. Especially for women who are married. I choose to go back to study because I realize that there are not many opportunities for women to work in Saudi Arabia, the place I live now.

There are not too many options for Master study in Saudi specifically for me who are not particularly fluent in Arabic. But one day I got information about university of overseas who place its agent in Saudi. Lecturers come from the university and we will study in every 3 months with two full days of face-to-face meeting.

As a mother who has three children of course it is difficult to concentrate on studying, mainly because I have a toddler who was born during my early stages of my study. As a consequence, I had to postpone my two courses exams due to my unpreparedness. Task after task must be made with full of struggle. I am not young anymore, I am the second oldest in the class.  In my class year, I am also the only woman who was in that particular program. A program in which was related to my working experience a long time ago. What I remember most was how to feed a baby, change baby’s diaper, make her a bath, and cooking! While everybody in the room are managers or at least have good position in their companies. Was it that I had low self-esteem? YES!  But I have to bury those feelings. My target is to finish my degree as well as possible. That’s it!

Many friends asked me, why do I go back to school? Am I going to work? What is my plan with my knowledge?

I feel that go back to study is an investment, whatever your stage is i.e. Diploma, Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral. I understand that the tuition is so expensive. The cost for Master’s degree can be used to buy 1 car sedan in Saudi! As an illustration, in Saudi sedan costs at least about 50,000 Saudi Riyal.

O Muslimah….Allah exalts knowledgeable people. So why do we feel hopeless when we plan to study again after a long time not get an education?

Abu Darda RA expressed, Muhammad Rasulullah SAW said, “The advantage of the people who have knowledge than the worshipper (without knowledge), like excess of moon in the full moon night of all other stars.” (Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah).

The benefits of my study out weighed its burden. In addition to increase my insight and knowledge, I also expanded my network of friends in different countries, my self-confidence increased, and of course improved communication skills along with building up logical thinking.

There are a few tips for Moms who want to go back to study based on my experience,

  1. Do not think that school is a waste of time and nor is it expensive. You will find it useful either now or in the future. Women should be intelligent.
  2. If your problem is the cost, you can try to get funding, scholarships, and aids from the University.  You must be detailed in looking for this information. Universities generally provide installment payment facility.
  3. Choose a program that suits your interests.
  4. If you are a working woman or have a family and cannot leave your job or your family commitment, choose a part-time educational program.
  5. Be discipline in organizing your time, take your time to read your study book at least 1-2 hours every day.
  6. Discussions with tutors and friends are needed to motivate your learning.
  7. Finally, do not give up, even if there are courses that must be repeated or fail.

However It must be remembered (particularly for myself) that knowledge (al-Ilmu) is a mandate (amanah), not for you being arrogant or to deceive others, na’udzubillahi  min dzalik. As found in the hadith,

Jabir RA suggested, Muhammad Rasulullah SAW said, “that there are two knowledge, knowledge in the heart and it is useful. Then knowledge in the lips used to deceive others, and it is cursed. “(Al Hadith).

So for you, Mom, who may have been long out of school, busy with the affairs of children and kitchen, do not give up. If I can pass, sure you can too!

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