Sometimes it’s hard to make decisions about uni when you don’t know much about it. Everybody else seems to have an idea about whether you should or shouldn’t go. Yet you’re the one who will be living your life. It makes sense that you should be the one making the decisions!
So, rather than teachers, nuclear physicists or your Uncle Bert telling you what you should do, let’s hear from people whose experiences may be able to help you make up your own mind.
Ann Marie
Then: “I went to a public school in Werribee from years 7 to 10 and then did my VCE at a public school in Newport. I first started thinking about tertiary study in year 10 when I had to choose my subjects for VCE. At this stage, I knew I would have to do some form of further study (because I am hopeless with my hands!) but I had no idea what I wanted to do or whether to go to university or TAFE.”
Now: Working as a lawyer at a commercial law firm.
Trithang
Then: “Back in year 10 I didn’t think too much about university, didn’t know what I was going to do - and definitely wasn’t certain if I was going anywhere at all.”
Now: Studying science at university.
Ben
Then: “I remember the majority of my secondary school years as being quite frustrating. I almost quit at the start of year 9 because I couldn’t see how any more education could possibly help me in life.”
Now: Completing an arts/commerce degree with the intention of doing further study.
Katie
Then: “I didn’t have any idea about uni in year 10, but given that I hated going to school, I couldn’t imagine that I would have enjoyed doing any more years of study than I had to.”
Now: Studying arts/law at uni.
Brandon
Then: “I was the only Aboriginal student in my entire high school. I spent the majority of my secondary school education dreaming of the day I would leave school and escape to the outback where my Aboriginal relatives lived. I was not concerned with higher studies, nor do I remember having the idea implanted in my head by either parents or teachers. I guess at the time I was not the best or brightest of students.”
Now: Recently completed honours in anthropology and has been invited by Harvard University (USA) to apply to undertake further study.
Misty
Then: “My parents raised me in Ballarat and my grandfather was one of the stolen generation… I did think briefly about going to university in year 10. However I never thought I was smart enough or would have the opportunity to do so.”
Now: Completing a PhD (Science) with Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter Doherty. Has accepted a position as a researcher at Oxford University. Still inspired by forensic science TV shows like CSI.