Rockhampton's Jan Kennedy hopes her story might be an inspiration to any students thinking about dropping out due to time constraints or family pressures. She says she had the ideal excuse to drop her bundle but found a beacon of motivation instead.

Jan started her full-time teaching degree with CQUniversity in 2007. On top of the degree, she continued to work full-time plus she produces and directs the school musical each year. Her ability to multitask between all of these positions came under threat when, right in the middle of her teaching degree, in the November of 2008, her husband Phil was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Phil Kennedy's strength has given Jan the inspiration to complete her degree

"During this time I had to put my studies on hold while he underwent immediate surgery followed by radium and chemotherapy treatment in Brisbane for a further seven weeks. At the time of surgery we were told he only had about 12 months to live," Jan said.

"I was adamant; I did not want to continue with my Uni studies, I wanted to spend valuable time with him. But, Phil insisted I continue with my studies to ensure that I had the degree, which in turn would provide me with a secure job for when he was gone".

Phil also stated: "I want to be at your Graduation!"

"So, I decided to continue with my studies in term one of 2009. It proved to be very difficult to look after Phil, work full-time and study full-time. But, because of his strength and determination to survive, even after a post-operative stoke and chemotherapy that almost destroyed his immune system, and his keenness to continue to work which kept him focused on something other than his illness, instead of just sitting around thinking about it all, that inspired me to continue," Jan said.

Jan is a Teacher Librarian at Rockhampton Grammar School and is amazed, but not surprised, that Phil has been able to continue full-time work at the school too. Phil has always had a great outlook on life and is a very determined man. His inner strength to overcome any odds stacked against him has helped him to keep a positive view on his illness.

Phil and Jan visit CQUniversity as they look forward to Graduation

"Phil is currently beating the odds and, as each three-monthly MRI scan proves okay, we try to live the next three months in a positive frame of mind," Jan said.

"I won't recover; I simply live, day by day, week by week and month by month. The doctors are blown away at how well I have been doing," Phil stated.

Jan said, "I put it down to the power of mind. He's wanted to succeed ... that has made me want to succeed too!"

"Jan's got through her Bachelor of Learning Management with flying colours. I just thought it would be a bit of security for her long-term, not knowing what was going to happen in the future," Phil said.

During the last 12 months of her degree, Jan still considered quitting her studies many times "because our time together was precious", but Phil still continued to encourage her.

"Phil would come and sit with me and go to sleep in the armchair while I was browsing my study books or finishing off assignments," she said.

"The 12 months have now passed and he is still with us. He is regarded by all his specialists as a walking miracle. He will now be at my Graduation... I've taken a lead from that to complete my degree,"  Jan said.

Phil's philosophy on life is very simple.

"Life's up and downs can provide windows of opportunity to determine want you want out of life, just don't give up. Think of using all obstacles thrown at you as stepping stones to build the life you want".

This is all Jan needed to inspire her to continue her studies through all the hardships they encountered. It is this philosophy she hopes will inspire others to do the same.

"I owe him my degree, as his determination and strength to live, gave me the inspiration to work hard to finish... with him at my side."