Who is it for?

Within a Cooee! will be useful for anyone who is curious about how other regional, rural or remote people have navigated decisions around going to university. It is a series of conversation starters or things to reflect on if you are:

• thinking about uni as a future option
• already at uni and would like to know what others have experienced
• supporting someone who is thinking about, or has already begun, uni (like parents, family members, friends)
• staff who support students (in various ways) at school, university or other organisations

Within a Cooee! has something for you. People from regional, rural and remote places are diverse, so there are lots of different perspectives.

Making the decision to start university, or persevering until you finish your degree, can be challenging. It’s always good to hear from others who have already started along a similar journey. And it’s a good time for you to spend time thinking about and talking to others about the hopes and desires you have for your future, and how you might achieve them.

How should I use it?

Choose whatever topic(s) are of interest to you and use the advice of others to tailor your own conversations or reflections. Bring up your thoughts with someone you trust and who is supportive of your ideas for the future, like a family member, friend, counsellor, mentor, university support worker, teacher, careers advisor, and so on.

For example, a conversation might be prompted by a comment, such as Grace. She is 21-25 years old from an outer regional area. She moved 400 kilometres from her family to study and is in her final year. Her advice (below) might raise questions like: What is risky for me? How do I prepare for uni? Why should I ‘just do it’?

Grace has not always found it easy and struggled at times. But her recommendation is:

Just do it. If you’re thinking about doing it then why stop yourself? Take the risk but prepare for it as well.

How is the tool organised?

There are four main sections:

• Being regional, rural and remote (strengths and qualities)
• I’m thinking about uni, but I’m still not sure (things to consider for those who are in the process of deciding)
• I’m at uni: now keep going! (advice from others who are also in the midst of study)
• Like a rollercoaster!* (emotional highs and lows and the uni experience).

*Varying emotions are normal but if you are feeling stressed out or becoming too overwhelmed then don’t be afraid to reach out – to your university student support services, counsellor, Lifeline 131114, a trusted family member or friend. Here is a list of other free services – remember Help is only a Cooee away!

Before you start

I’m thinking about uni and I’m at uni are more made up of a variety of related topics, which are each accessed by clicking the section headers, concertina style. Each topic begins with an example – a short narrative created from the words of students (or staff). If this topic interests you, you may want to see what others have said by clicking ‘more quotes’

If you want to know more about the person quoted, click ‘more info’ after each quote. This information shows the diversity of regional students by including their age, gender, degree choice, and a range of regional and remote locations (where this information was provided), and will look something like: