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.
Study options to think about
Universities usually offer a range of ways to undertake your course (sometimes referred to as mode of delivery). The terminology varies between institutions, so you will need to check, but here is a general guide:
On campus means that all or most learning activities (lectures, tutorials, labs, demonstrations) take place on campus and face-to-face. You would probably need to live within a reasonable distance from the campus.
Blended or hybrid learning: this is a mix of online and on campus learning. You would need to attend campus regularly throughout the semester.
- Online learning: this is where at high percentage (around 90%) of learning is delivered online. Learning goes wherever you are as long as you have access to good internet and technology. There is greater flexibility around when you study so you need to be self-disciplined and organised.
- Block mode: this is where most learning is online, but where there are blocks of time (e.g. 1-2 week periods) during semester where you attend on campus face-to-face learning.
Placement: this is a requirement for some courses (for example, nursing, medicine, education) where you spend a period of time in a variety of real-world environments under supervision. You may not be able to choose where you are placed, and you may have to bear the costs of travel, accommodation, take time off work, organise childminding etc. However the learning on-the-job is a critical part of the learning process and good preparation for working in the field
Online?
Judy is 41-50 from an inner regional area, in 2nd year Accounting part-time online. She has children, works part-time and has community commitments.
Tyler is 18-20 from an inner regional area, in 1st year Psychological Science, fulltime in block mode. She is a student with disability and from LSES background. She works a casual job and is involved in extra-curricular activities
Evie is 31-40 from an outer regional area, in her final year of education online, fulltime. She has children, community commitments and works part-time
Simone is 41-50 from an inner regional area, in 4th year accounting, online part-time. She has children and other caring responsibilities, is involved in the community and works part-time
On campus?
Melinda is 41-50 from an inner regional area, in 1st year Accounting fulltime in blended mode. She is first in family and from working class background. She is mum with community commitments and part-time work
Chloe is 49 from outer an regional area, in 2nd year education part-time in blended mode. She is first in family and from working class background. She has children and works part-time
Christine (staff) has been a student administration officer for 4 years at a regional universities centre
Aaron is 18-20 from an inner regional area, in 2nd year software engineering, fulltime and commutes to campus 4 days a week. He is from working class background, has a part-time job and is an elite sportsperson
Move away?
Georgie is 21-25 from a remote area, in 4th year Arts, fulltime in blended mode. She is from LSES circumstances, works part-time, and is involved in community commitments and extra-curricular activities. She is far away from family
Cassie is 18-20, from a remote area and is in first year of Psychology. She moved 500kms from home to attend fulltime on campus (until COVID). She also works a casual job, and is from working class background.
Cassie is 18-20, from a remote area and is in first year of Psychology. She moved 500kms from home to attend fulltime on campus (until COVID). She also works a casual job, and is from working class background.
Carey is 18-20 and in 2nd year of Medical Lab Science, fulltime on campus. She is first in family and from working class background. She also works a casual job
Ways to be ready
Irene is 31-40 from an outer regional area, in 2nd year paramedic science, part-time in block mode. She is first in family, from LSES and working class background. She has children and works full-time and casual jobs
Rae is over 51 from an inner regional area, in 2nd year social sciences, fulltime and on campus. She lives with disability and also is carer for other family member(s)
Indigo is 21-25 from an outer regional area, in 4th year Business, fulltime and on campus. She is from working class background moved 600km from home. She is busy with part-time work, community commitments and extra-curricular activities
Abbey is 18-20 from an outer regional area in 1st year nursing fulltime, and moved far away from home. She is first in family and from working class background.