For Canberra Institute of Technology medal winner Rebecca Sullivan, enrolling to complete her year 12 certificate in the face of huge life challenges, turned out to be the best decision she had ever made.
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Ms Sullivan was one of 246 CIT students who attended their graduation ceremony yesterday to celebrate the completion of their studies.
CIT students donned their black academic gowns and brought along their cameras and loved ones to celebrate the event.
Ms Sullivan received two awards at the ceremony for her excellent results.
She previously studied at Dickson College but left when her father and brother passed away. She decided that CIT was better suited to what she needed.
''I couldn't really go back to school after my father and brother died … I needed an adult learning environment … it is the best decision I've ever made,'' she said.
Ms Sullivan is now studying archeology at the Australian National University but was excited to return for the ceremony.
The students were not the only ones who were excited about the ceremony. Many parents, friends and loved ones also attended.
Sue Murphy, a former tutor at CIT, attended to see one of her former students, Xiao Ling Wei, receive a prize. Ms Wei moved from China and benefited from CIT's English home tutoring program.
She was very thankful for Ms Murphy's continued support. ''[Ms Murphy] was very nice, very friendly and very passionate,'' she said.
Although Ms Murphy no longer teaches, the two meet up for coffee on a regular basis.
One hundred and seventy-six students graduated during the 90-minute day ceremony and 170 graduated during the 90-minute night ceremony.
Students were on stage for 15 seconds before they returned to their seats.
The graduation ceremony was held in the indoor arena at the Australian Institute of Sport instead of either of the CIT campuses.
