Hi Lauren57
My heart goes out to you whilst you're feeling the stress/pressure involved in meeting commitments at this time in your life.
Wondering if you've had a look at the Australian Government - Dept of Human Services website regarding 'Payments for students and trainees'. I imagine there will also be some financial assistance resources the university can steer you towards.
Of course, I can't help but wonder whether you wholeheartedly wanted to undertake this degree yourself. Not sure if it was something you were pressured into, by your family. Perhaps you were in a situation where it seemed like a good idea at the time (taking this direction), when the pressure was on to choose what you were going to do after secondary school. If the degree is something you wish to have under your belt for experience sake, completing it sounds like the way to go, even if you don't follow through in this particular field after Uni.
If you're only doing this to please others, I'm curious to know 'Who do you want to be?' I ask this for good reason: I once heard someone say 'Do not ask the question 'What do I want to do?' in order to find direction, instead ask 'Who do I want to be?' This will guide you in regard to remaining true to your nature.' A great piece of advice. Typically, once we begin to steer away from our true nature, life does tend to become more difficult.
You may be going through a time of asking a lot of questions Lauren57 for questioning does become an important part of the reassessment process. Many questions are often asked before the answers which serve us best come along. Keep in mind, the answers which serve us best may be those that upset others whose expectations are high. Again, the most important question remains 'Who do I want to be?' not 'Who do others want me to be?' The path which asks that we remain true to our self is a challenging path indeed.
Take care of yourself Lauren57