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

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?

Don’t let the distance or commitment required stand in the way of your dreams – studying online at university is extremely flexible and versatile with study modes/work load and it’s worth a bit of trial and error to get a best fit. Once settled in you won’t regret it. I was able to work 3 part time jobs around my studies and still have an enjoyable social life/overseas travel.

Louisa is 21-25 from outer regional SA, in 4th year of Disability and Development, fulltime online. She is first in family and lives in an isolated region. She also works part-time

On campus?

Go for regional campuses – they are amazing. There are a lot less people, but that means you can access a whole lot of services from the main campus. It’s a great way to ease into formal education

Brooke is 18-20 from inner regional NSW, in 2nd year Commerce, fulltime in blended mode. She is first in family, has community commitments and works part-time and casual jobs

Move away?

I think, be prepared to weigh up all the factors of moving to the city, and it can be a hard BUT a rewarding decision.

Georgie is 21-25 from remote SA, 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

  • Why else would I encourage people to go to uni? I think it’s important to challenge yourself and to think outside the square. I think rural communities can be very insular with people who have been there for a very long time and they’re not very open to new ideas, change and other opportunities. (Therese)

    Therese is in her 40s and has just begun her higher degree research study, after completing a health-related degree. She has 3 children ranging from 4 months to 11 years. She is from a remote area.

  • Shop around for a place to live as many shared accommodation – university or college living is expensive and may deter you but there are options out there that make it doable. Centrelink has a bad stigma but to using it to gain a strong career path is definitely worthwhile. Casual jobs are actually harder to find than you may think and you need to be open to positions out of the box if you feel you need the work. University has so many holidays you can visit home often enough if away from friends and family, and lastly, you will have tutors and coordinators who are amazing and really care about you, along with your peers, it’s a whole new community. (Grace)

    Grace is a 21-25 year old Education student from an outer regional area, and is first in her family to go to uni. She moved 400kms from her family and is now in her final year.

Ways to be ready

Make sure you are self-motivated and disciplined as there won’t always be others around to keep tabs on your progress or provide continuous encouragement (Rachel)

Rachel is 31-40 from an outer regional area, in 2nd year Law, part-time and online. She has children and is from working class background.

  • Do one subject only in your first semester to get used to the scheduling etc. Schedule EVERYTHING!! (Mairead)

    Mairead is 31-40 from an inner regional area, 3rd year of Psychology part-time. She is a student with disability and has children. She hasn't had to move for her studies