Tip 2: Find Your Passion - And All The Freebies
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday March 11, 2003
Tip 2: Find your passion - and all the freebies
After finding her passion, Claire Delaney worked on her hip pocket.
Two years ago, Claire Delaney started a rehabilitation counselling degree at the University of Sydney.
A few weeks into the first semester, she realised the course wasn't suited to her.
After toughing it out for one year, she decided to cut her losses and transfer to a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Wollongong.
Her advice to first year students is simple: research your course and make sure it's something you're passionate about.
``I found out about (the Sydney course) through the Universities Admissions Course guide, and I thought it sounded like a good career for me," she said.
``It wasn't what I thought it would be, and although I liked the social life in Sydney, I didn't really enjoy the course. I'm enjoying nursing much more."
Moving out of home for the first time can be tough on the hip pocket, Claire said.
But little things, such as making your own lunch, can make the transition easier.
``Moving out was a big step. You learn that toilet rolls don't grow in the cupboard and the milk doesn't just appear in the fridge," she said.
``But on campus there are affordable ways to eat. There's a free barbecue on Tuesday, and at the uni bar you can pay $2.50 for a massive box of chips. It's good value for money," she said.
She also advised students to take advantage of the free writing seminars offered in various faculties. The seminars teach students how to write in formal academic style.
``At university, you're not spoon-fed like you are at high school and you have to figure out your own way," she said.
``There are a lot of facilities for you to learn how to write essays, and they can really help you get through."
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury