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Over the past year, many aspects of our lives have been turned on their head. Decisions can seem more confusing than ever - so we're here to offer some advice and assistance.
While 2020 has altered the way we operate as a uni, one thing that hasn’t changed is the hundreds of questions we get from high school students about choosing a degree and uni that’s right for them. Through Virtual Open Days, Online Events and our Student Enquiry centre we hear your questions first-hand. It can seem like a big decision, that’s because it is. It will influence the career you pursue, the talents and skills you uncover and even lifelong friendships and connections.
Chris Lewis UNSW’s student advisor and expert on all things UNSW explains the answers to all those questions can be easily discoverable. “If you come in with a plan and you come in with a set of things that you really need to understand, then any university can really direct you to the people that can give you the answers to those questions.” Chris says.
Pictured: Chris Lewis
Chris says there are six questions you should ask yourself and your prospective uni to make a well-informed decision about which degree and university is right for you:
- What are your interests?
- How do you like to learn?
- What kind of people do you want to be around?
- How will you stay motivated?
- What do you need to feel comfortable at uni?
- What excites you most about the prospect of heading to uni?
Chris advises, "if you don’t have a shopping list of what you want, how are you going to be able to check that the university can actually deliver on it for you?". This might include sporting teams, a particular club or society, the type of learning offered or a particular field of interest you want to study.
UNSW offers a dedicated Student Advisory centre that can connect you to chat one on one with current UNSW students, academics or student advisors. Chris encourages you to ask these questions when you engage with the uni and not just sit back in webinars but to bring your enthusiasm and excitement to this process.
UNSW Students Jenni Tyler and Tom Beak also offered some valuable advice for students trying to make the decision. "Make sure you know what the university can do for you, and make sure you know those other opportunities that are around and available," says Tom, a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering student. "Getting in with those questions about 'How can I start doing this?' or 'How can I get involved in this?' can really set up your entire university career."
Pictured: Tom Beak
Jenni, a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts student, reinforces that it’s okay if you’re not entirely sure what degree you’re interested in. Jenni believes it’s just as valuable to use the resources the uni offers as a way of finding out whether the uni can support your soft skills.
"It might be something more along the lines of I work really well with people, or I’m really good at problem solving, or I’m really interested in other cultures or working in large corporations.
"It’s about knowing how you work and what you want and the sort of skills you have that you can bring not just to your degree but to the workforce.”
Pictured: Jenni Tyler
At the end of the day, you can take expert advice, and the advice of those who’ve gone before you, but you need to ask yourself what is right for you. At UNSW we create the space for you to discover your uniqueness. Use your time at uni to unearth what makes you tick and the things you truly care about. Explore the opportunities to make life-long memories and friendships that span the globe.
Contact Us
Talk to one of our student advisors by phone on 02 9385 1844 or enquire online.