Written by Tess Ezzy
For Jess and Curtis Boland, graduating together wasn’t part of the original plan—but it became one of their proudest shared milestones.
Curtis, who had previously worked as an auto electrician, felt drawn back to his roots. “I’d always had a passion for agriculture after growing up helping my Pop on his farm,” he explains. That early connection to the land led him to complete a Bachelor of Agriculture, seeking a fulfilling career aligned with his lifelong interests.

Jess took a different, but equally personal, path—completing a Bachelor of Nursing. “My mother and grandmother were nurses,” she says, “so it felt like a natural calling. I was initially interested in becoming a vet, but I realised my heart was more in tune with human nursing—wanting to make a difference to people’s lives, even on their worst days.”

Balancing Study, Parenthood, and Life
Juggling university, work, and raising two young children was no small feat. “It was definitely a struggle at first,” Jess recalls. “We ended up making a little schedule that mapped out house chores, study blocks, and non-negotiable family time.” Study often happened during nap times or after bedtime, with every spare moment put to use.
A strong support network also helped them stay on track. “During placements or exam periods, our family would help with the kids for a few hours. That made a big difference,” Curtis adds.

Growth, Grit, and Unexpected Connection
Looking back, both Jess and Curtis are surprised by how much the experience taught them—about themselves and each other. “We realised we’re more resilient and adaptable than we gave ourselves credit for,” Jess reflects. “It was wild to juggle so much at once, but it brought us closer and strengthened our relationship.”
While studying different degrees came with the occasional challenge—especially when deadlines or exams aligned—the couple found unexpected benefits in learning side by side. “We understood each other’s stress in a really unique way. Even though we didn’t fully get each other’s subjects, we could still bounce ideas around and offer support.”
A Shared Milestone—and a New Chapter
Graduating in the same year wasn’t something they planned—but the timing lined up perfectly. “It just happened that way after I took breaks for maternity leave,” Jess says. “But walking across the stage together felt huge.”
Now, both are thriving in their chosen fields. Curtis is working as second-in-charge at a local agricultural business, with ambitions to move into agronomy and technical sales. Jess is currently completing her graduate year at the local hospital, rotating through different wards, and already looking ahead to further study in midwifery and diabetes education.

Advice for Other Couples and Families Studying Together
When asked what advice they’d share with other couples thinking about studying with a family, their message is clear: it’s absolutely possible. “Having children shouldn’t be seen as a barrier,” says Curtis. “The flexibility of online study gave us the work-study-life balance we needed.”
Jess adds: “We did our degrees part-time, and while we felt guilty about that at first, we now know it was key to our success. We ended up with the same qualifications, just on a timeline that worked for us.”
Their final piece of advice? “Focus on your own journey. Everyone’s path looks different. If study is something you’re passionate about, talk to the university about flexible options. We’re so grateful that Charles Sturt offered us a pathway that worked for our life.”
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative.