Within a Cooee! Advice Tool

I’m thinking about uni, but I’m still not sure, conversation starters directed towards regional people who are considering university as an option.

Introduction

Being Regional

I’m Thinking About Uni

Go for it!

You can do it!

Do it because you want to

Be intentional, take your time

Look at all your options

For school leavers: Gap Year, ATAR

Ask lots of questions

Costs

What if I change my mind?

Study options to think about

I’m at Uni:Now keep going!

Like a Rollercoaster

Be intentional, take your time

I guess, as I said, just carefully consider, be intentional, you know, don’t just wander into something that you’re half-hearted about … So I think, don’t wander into it aimlessly; be intentional, try and figure out and think what you really want to do with your life. That being said, don’t be limited just because you’re a bit fuzzy about everything, don’t give up, don’t abandon university just because you don’t know exactly what you want to do – maybe try something out in the general field you’re interested in and then, with opportunities to specialise later, and yeah, think long-term.

Keiran is 20 from outer regional NT. He went straight from school into Engineering, in 4th year studying fulltime on campus. He had to move interstate for study.

Take initiative to explore and look at all the options you have and dig around to figure out ways that you can get around things. I would say to people “Don’t give up just because what you wanted isn’t there”. … It’s like you’re a little child, looking for an Easter egg or something, you know, children will keep looking until they find it and others will go, “Oh well, it’s not there. I can’t find it in five minutes so I’ll just give up on it”

Eva is 18-20 from inner regional SA, in 1st year Accounting, online and fulltime. She also has community commitments and works part-time around her studies.

  • Definitely give it a go. There is no problem in failing. You’ll discover yourself and find things you enjoy. But take your time (Ainsley)

    Ainsley is from an outer regional area and is in the first year of a health-related degree, blended mode. She works part time, is first in family and comes from a working class background

  • Make sure you are doing what is best for you. There is always time to go to uni but don’t waste your life away … have fun at uni it is such an awesome but gruelling time (Adam)

    Adam is 21-25 from a remote area, in 4th year Exercise Science, fulltime on campus, and moved far from home. He is first in family and mature age, also working part-time an casual jobs as well as extra-curricular activities

  • Take your time in going to university – if you need to, just take a year or two off to actually find yourself and see what you want to do, and then once you get to the university stage, put time and effort into it, motivate yourself, and just focus on what you want to do (Eleanor)

    Eleanor is 18-20 from an outer regional area, in 1st year Exercise Science, full time and on campus. She is first in family, from LSES and working class background. She also works part-time

  • Take initiative to explore and look at all the options you have and dig around to figure out ways that you can get around things. I would say to people “Don’t give up just because what you wanted isn’t there”. … It’s like you’re a little child, looking for an Easter egg or something, you know, children will keep looking until they find it and others will go, “Oh well, it’s not there. I can’t find it in five minutes so I’ll just give up on it” (Eva)

    Eva is 18-20 from an inner regional area, in 1st year Accounting, online and fulltime. She also has community commitments and works part-time around her studies.

  • I guess, as I said, just carefully consider, be intentional, you know, don’t just wander into something that you’re half-hearted about … So I think, don’t wander into it aimlessly; be intentional, try and figure out and think what you really want to do with your life. That being said, don’t be limited just because you’re a bit fuzzy about everything, don’t give up, don’t abandon university just because you don’t know exactly what you want to do – maybe try something out in the general field you’re interested in and then, with opportunities to specialise later, and yeah, think long-term. (Keiran)

    Keiran is 21 from an outer regional area. He went straight from school into Engineering, in 4th year studying fulltime on campus. He had to move interstate for study.