At just 20 years old, Olivia Hedges has already overcome challenges that many people never face. As the proud mother of two young daughters, Olivia is proving that determination, resilience and the right support can make all the difference when it comes to building a brighter future.
After becoming a mum at 15 and welcoming her second daughter at 17, Olivia's life took a very different path to most of her peers. But rather than letting those challenges define her, she chose to use them as motivation.
"Becoming a parent at such a young age completely changed my life, but it also gave me a lot of motivation to work hard and create a good future for my girls," Olivia shares.
Finding Strength Through Challenges
Like many young parents, Olivia faced the difficult reality of balancing motherhood with adolescence.
"It was hard seeing other people my age doing normal teenage things while I was raising a baby," she says. "I focused on my daughters and reminded myself that I wanted to give them the best life possible."
Throughout those early years, the support of family and learning to ask for help when needed became invaluable. These experiences taught Olivia responsibility, patience and, perhaps most importantly, just how strong she could be.
A Place to Belong
Olivia discovered Young Parents College through her older sister Brooke, who graduated in 2025. Hearing about Brooke's positive experience gave Olivia the confidence to enrol and continue her education while raising her family.
Since joining the College, Olivia has found much more than a place to study.
"My experience has been extremely positive so far," she says. "The staff and teachers are understanding and supportive, and being around other young parents makes me feel less alone."
She says the sense of community has played a significant role in helping her stay focused on her goals.
"The community we have here is truly so amazing and everyone really helps each other."
Balancing Study and Parenthood
A typical day for Olivia starts with getting her daughters ready before dropping them off at Narnia downstairs and heading to class. After school, her focus shifts back to family life, household responsibilities and preparing for the next day.
While juggling study and parenting is no small task, Olivia has learned the importance of organisation and routine.
"Being organised and having a routine helps me balance study and parenting," she explains. "The support from my family and the understanding environment at Young Parents College also make balancing everything much easier."
Growing in Confidence
One of Olivia's greatest achievements has been gaining confidence in herself and her ability to continue her education while raising two children.
"At first, I doubted whether I could manage everything, but I have learned that I am capable of doing more than I thought," she says.
Today, she is most proud of her determination to keep moving forward.
"I am most proud of continuing my education and not giving up, even when things have been difficult. I am also proud of the mother I have become and the example I am setting for my daughters."
Olivia Hedges
Looking to the Future
Olivia has ambitious plans for the years ahead. She hopes to complete her education, build a stable career in criminology and continue creating the best possible future for her daughters.
Her experience at Young Parents College has reinforced an important lesson that she hopes others will embrace too: becoming a young parent does not mean giving up on your dreams.
"Young Parents College has given me confidence in myself and reminded me that becoming a young parent does not mean giving up on your dreams or goals."
Advice for Other Young Parents
For young parents considering a return to study, Olivia's message is simple but powerful:
"Don't be afraid to return to study and believe in yourself. It can be challenging, but it is definitely worth it. Being a parent does not stop you from achieving your goals – it can actually give you even more motivation to succeed."
Olivia Hedges
Olivia's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, community and self-belief. As she continues working towards her goals, she is not only building a brighter future for herself but also setting an inspiring example for her daughters and other young parents who may be considering taking the next step in their own education.
