Choosing the Right University Course in Year 12

It can be really daunting when you come to the end of your last year of school life, and you’re asked to choose what university you’d prefer to attend, and what course you want to study. Some of you may even think “how am I meant to know what I want to be doing with my life! I’m basically still a kid!”. If this is you, never fear. This is a very common thought shared by your peers, but following these simple tips may help you choose the university course that is right for you.

 

The ATAR itself
There’s no need to treat your ATAR like pocket money. In other words, you do not have to spend it all! If your heart truly lies in agricultural studies, music theory, or history, then don’t be pressured to choose something like medicine or aeronautical engineering for the mere fact that you ranked highly in your ATAR. Of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with studying courses whose ATAR requirements are quite high, but if you choose to study them only because you can, then you are potentially setting yourself up for disappointment.

Choose whatever you are passionate about. You know yourself better than anyone else, so whether it’s dentistry, education, or philosophy, find what you love to study and choose a university course that adheres to your passion. When you study what you love, not only do you make it easier for yourself to succeed, but you enjoy what you are studying. You no longer have a strictly confined set of subjects to study - you can finally study what you want to, so enjoy it. University, believe it or not, is awesome. You have the freedom to take your education, and potentially your entire life, into your own hands, so make sure you are fulfilling some aspect of your passion.

 

Jobs and tertiary education
At this point, you might be thinking to yourself, “but isn’t university meant for me to study, earn my degree, so I can get a job?”. Well, in a sense, it is. A vocation-driven course like primary education would most probably be studied by someone who wants to be a primary teacher. The cultural climate is pitted against non-vocational tertiary liberal education, such as something like an arts degree. Duncan Ivison, the University of Sydney’s Dean of Arts and Social Sciences, asserts how he believes universities are not centres for “job-training”. A university course is extremely valuable, in your growth as a human being, your intellect, and your overall experience of education as something which can expand your mind and your horizons.

This being said, if your passion truly lies in helping the sick, then medicine, or something which caters to your ambitions, is, given your unwavering commitment, more often than not, going to land you a job helping the sick. If however, you do choose a broader, more liberal degree such as arts, if you have your sights set on a particular major, or field of study, then I recommend sticking to your instincts and studying what you love; the job and money will come with time. Seize the opportunity of having a wealth of education in the palm of your hands, while you can.

 

Logistics
High school should give you a rough idea of what general field you want to work in or be part of, if not for the long term, then at least for the near future. What high school may not tell you is the reality of a long term career. When you choose a university course with a career in mind, think of the reality of your decision. Think of what kind of person you are and ask yourself some questions. Do I enjoy working and interacting with people or do I prefer solitude? Do I want to be working in an office or do I prefer something more outdoorsy? Will my job require me to travel long distances every day? How will I commute? What does my job really involve on a day to day basis?

The best way to ensure you don’t set yourself up for a career based mid-life crisis is by addressing these questions and deciding how you want your professional life to unfold. It may be a good idea to speak with someone already in the field to gain a clearer idea of what kind of life you will live.

 

In the end…
You should try not to be pressured by family or friends or peers into what university course you will study. Your degree is essentially an investment. You invest time and money and effort in return for a degree (and of course, knowledge and a heightened sense of enlightenment in your chosen field). It’s kind of like when you choose subjects for year 12; pick what you enjoy studying, and what you are good at. Only part of university is studying; it is a much more profound, much more valuable experience that no one can take away from you; so choose a course that will ultimately fulfill you and what you are passionate about.