Questions for you
While it's important that you ask informed questions about the course and university you are interested in, it's also vital that you take some time to ask yourself some questions too. If you are able to answer most of the below questions with confidence, you're probably making a good decision. If you're still unsure, you can follow the links to find more information.
Have I made realistic choices? What am I really interested in studying? What are my strengths, interests and future goals? Have I done all the course research I need to do?
It's an excellent idea to get advice from teachers, parents, friends and others, but you should remember that the choice of which course and which uni is up to you. If you make a decision that you are happy with, and you get into the course that suits you and your skills best, you will enjoy uni more. To make a good decision, you have to do your research. The more you know, the more realistic your expectations will be.
The VTAC guide is a good place to start but cannot include detailed information about subjects and course structure, so gather course information from handbooks, websites and your Careers Adviser. Another excellent way to find out about courses is to speak to current and past students. Talk to family and friends who have been to uni recently and attend Open Days and speak to the student guides - they are genuinely interested in chatting to you about uni life.
A useful resource to help you assess your career options is the myfuture website.
Have I seen the university campus, on an Open Day and on a normal day?
As well as going to Open Days, try to spend time on campus on a normal day. You can attend VCE lectures, eat in one of the many cafes and wander around to see if the campus atmosphere suits you. Find out about clubs, sports and other activities at the Student Union or Sports Centre. Can you imagine yourself spending a few years here?
Will I need to move house? What are my housing options?
Where are you going to live? Start planning early. If you can stay with your family, this saves money and gives you a chance to ease into your new uni environment without the stress of bills, rent, housemates, etc. If you do wish or need to move out of home, Student Housing has advice about different options such as residential college, hostels, share housing or private rental.
How much will university cost me and how will I pay for it? What about living costs? What about weekly bills for food, rent and a social life? Will you need a part-time job? Do you need to work and save money over summer? Are you eligible for Youth Allowance or Austudy?
The Financial Aid service can help - see their website for everything you need to know about fees, living costs, government allowances, budgeting and more.
How long will it take me to travel to and from uni each day?
The University timetable has some classes starting as early as 9am (sometimes even 8am) and finishing after 6pm, so you need to know how long it will take you to travel to and from campus. Most students do this by public transport, because the main campus is very well served by trams but has very limited student parking. Travel time may influence your decision of which university suits you and whether or not you need to move house to attend.
Do I know what resources are available on campus?
The services available have an important role in your success at uni and in some cases could affect your decision: for example, if you need to find housing, if you have a disability and require academic accommodations, or if you need childcare.
Will it suit me best to study full time or part time?
If you take on full-time study, you need to treat it as a full-time job. If you have other significant responsibilities or need to work long hours in paid work to support yourself, you may need to consider part-time study.