Annelise Heyns' Dedication to Getting Her Milpark BBA Degree

Whether Annelise was wandering through the wilderness or providing care for her father through his health struggles, nothing stood in the way of her studying. She was committed to achieving her goal of passing her degree with distinction and she did, in addition she was one of the top achievers in her programme!

According to Annelise, finding the right balance is key. “While working full-time, I also made time for church, family, and friends. I cared for my dad, who lived with us and was diagnosed with dementia. Despite our love for camping and hiking, I often found myself studying in a caravan or hiking hut while my friends’ enjoyed nature.”

Of course, it is normal for doubt to creep in. Despite some struggles, Annelise persevered, taking full control of her lifestyle – balancing study time and her social life, while also creating room for relaxation.

How did she juggle it all? Annelise never lost sight of her ultimate objective. For her, maintaining a balanced “study-work and personal life” was crucial. “I created a study plan for each module of my learning programme and adhered to it, no matter how challenging it was. I organised my days to balance study time with relaxation and social activities. I also identified the best times for me to study, which for me was normally in the mornings before starting my workday.”  

Despite studying at home online for the first time, Annelise did not feel intimated nor isolated due to the support she received from the Milpark facilitator, who was there every step of the way. “My expectations were exceeded – especially with Milparks’ online academic platform. The facilitated classes were also very helpful.”

In addition to other courses she completed over the years, the BBA has now equipped her with a more comprehensive foundation in Business Management, Marketing and Human Resource Management.

Studying through Milpark was not just personally enriching to Annelise, but it is helping her uplift others. She feels better equipped with her BBA qualification to support learners through navigating their own educational journeys. “I feel more empowered and capable in my career at Absa, and I'm even more prepared to assist and support my colleagues.”

The only regret she has is that she wishes she started her qualification earlier in her life. Fast-forward to 2025, Annelise graduated successfully, the same week she received the joyful news that she had become a grandmother!

She wishes to lead by example, proving that anything is possible with hard work, perseverance and dedication.

Annelise is not done just yet. Now that she recognised how empowering the BBA qualification is for her career, she has another academic goal in sight, but first a well-deserved break. “I plan to take time out this year but to continue with my Master’s degree in Human Resource Management next year.” 

It would be wise to listen to Annelise’s advice: “You are never too old to start!” 

Start your journey towards a brighter future with Milpark Education. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, gain new skills, or switch professions, Milpark offers flexible and industry-relevant programmes designed to fit your lifestyle. Apply today and take control of your career!