University is a difficult time for most students as they try and balance work and study - but for some, the journey is even harder.
Nicole Contreras has just graduated from a Bachelor of Law at Western Sydney University and said she's had to work doubly hard to get where she is today.
Nicole Contreras Source: Supplied: Sally Tsoutas
"I actually had to drop out of high school when I was 16," she told SBS News.
"My mum got really sick. She's a single mum. I ended up being her full-time carer and for a time there we really did struggle.
"It wasn't until I was about 20 that I could start thinking about going back to study, which I'd always wanted to do.
"I'd always wanted to be a lawyer."
Imad Abdul-Karim finished his undergraduate degree more than 20 years ago.
But on Wednesday he received an honorary doctorate in recognition of decades of achievements and for being the first judicial appointee from the university.
Imad Abdul-Karim and Pro-Vice Chancellor Kevin Dunn Source: Supplied: Sally Tsoutas
Mr Abdul-Karim fled Lebanon when he was a child. He couldn't speak any English and was told he couldn't attend Public School in Australia until he learnt the language.
But he was determined to get a university education.
Mr Abdul-Karim worked as a taxi driver and a kitchen hand to support his family while he studied and said their support had got him through.
"I'm fortunate to have been given those opportunities," he said.
"That is something that I reflect on fairly frequently because even though I came from a war-torn country I had a family that loved me and I had a family that encouraged me to study and achieve my potential."
Now Mr Abdul-Karim said he's honoured to be recognised for his work.
"It is a great privilege for me to be awarded an honourary doctorate from this university. I receive this honour with deep gratitude and great humility," he said.
Ms Contreras said for her, graduating feels like it has been a long time coming for her, and her family.
Natasha and Nicole Contreras. Source: SBS News
"This achievement means everything to us so there's a lot of people invested in my journey to university and they're all here today," she said.
"They're incredibly happy to me and this just means the beginning of my future.
"I feel like it's the end of a chapter but it really is the beginning of something."
Mr Abdul-Karim said he's got some advice for the younger graduates like Ms Contreras, heading into the law profession.
"Really follow your passion and commit to a lifetime of learning and understanding," he said.
"I think once you enter the law - it's regarded as a profession - I think it's a profession because you dedicate your life to learning.
"Not only learning about what the cases say but really learning about society and how humans interact."
