THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To get married or to complete education? Or is it possible to juggle both? If so, how about dreaming of a job? Daunting household tasks and the long list of responsibilities prevent many young women from entering wedlock while still grappling with studies. Meanwhile, some find a magical balance between both. City Express listens to a few who continue their studies after getting married. Kavitha Mohan entrusts her one-and-a-half year old daughter Sapthavarna with her mother when she leaves for Kariavattom University Campus from her home in Kollam. When she joined for her masters in journalism, the baby was just a nine-month-old toddler. “I had to discontinue my education for a while following marriage and the subsequent child birth. But there was a ‘fire’ inside me that gave me the strength to start a second innings and to aim at a career. My husband and his family have only supported me in my decision,” she says.Though the long travel to and fro is exhausting, Kavitha says the passion towards studies helps her stay positive. “In my opinion, every woman must be self-reliant. The pain of staying away from my kid is always at the back of my mind. But nothing should prevent a wife or a mother from achieving big. The doors of opportunity are wide open even after you enter motherhood. There are women who have successfully managed family and education alike. Such inspirational tales keep me going,” she says. Nayana Kishore, who is doing her final year MA Sociology at Loyola College of Social Sciences, Sreekariyam, finds that her student life turned more responsible post marriage. Back home, I could easily cite reasons not to go to college and idle away. Once I got married, my in-laws see to it that I cannot supply excuses to skip classes. When I submit my assignments on time, some of my classmates, who are married, become green with envy,” she says. Yet Nayana says that she does not stay away from household matters because of being a student. “Before marriage I used to while away time to relax after returning from college. Marriage made me responsible and realise the value of time and do whatever little I can at home. I also learned to respond to situations when something unexpected occurs,” she says. And Nayana finds her married life a blessing compared to women who run from pillar to post to keep pace with the pressure of family life while managing studies. Shilpa K S from Poojappura, who is doing her second year graduation in mass communication and video production at Mar Ivanios College, was a topper during her school years. She prefers late night hours for studies. “It has been an year since I got married. The new routines have not affected my steady and healthy graph in studies. You can manage both if you know how to manage your time,” she says.
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