Families and friends

As a parent, supporting your teenager’s desire to go to University is surprisingly similar to that day when you started preparing them for their very first day of school. You may feel nervous for them, have a multitude of questions and be a little overwhelmed about what this may mean for your child and your family. 

As a friend, it might be difficult for you to see your bestie embark on a new adventure into uni-life, as you travel different paths for the first time. You may feel a little stressed out for them and worried about how it may affect your friendship. It's OK - it is normal to have these feelings.

Here at USQ, we have put together some key points for you as family and friends to help your new Uni student make smooth transition into the USQ community:

• be supportive - there is no right or wrong path, just different paths
• stay informed - take the time to discuss different degrees and career options with them and help them to discover their strengths and goals, but be respectful of their decisions
• be involved - go to Open Days, orientation activities and be there with them as they explore their chosen campus for the first time
• be empowering - this is a time when many teenagers make the transition into adulthood, and you can empower them by guiding them to make their own choices and decisions,
• be understanding- it is normal to have peaks and troughs throughout each semester, as study load increases in the lead up to exams. Your child or friend may be a bit stressed out at times and not as available as they used to be.

To assist with the transition to university, be assured there is a USQ support network available to help them achieve their University success.

High School to university- what’s the difference?

Studying at University is very different to high school- lectures and tutorials may be spread out over the week, or condensed into one or two days. There is no requirement to be present at USQ for a set amount of hours per day as there is at high school. Students are responsible for their own learning and motivation to achieve their chosen successes. University is a great way for young adults to experience the real world first hand, and take responsibility for their own actions in a safe learning environment.

Unlike high school, the USQ Academic year is made up of three semesters with courses of study available in different modes across each semester. This means that students are offered the flexibility to change their study mode to meet their work and study requirements; and to promote family and life balance amongst our USQ community.

Can we afford this?

There is a range of study costs to be aware of regarding studying at university. To get an idea of how much a USQ degree will cost, have a look at our Degrees and courses 'How much will it cost' section for each degree. 

The Australian Government also provides assistance for domestic students in the form of HELP (Higher Education Loan Program). This means that students can defer their tuition costs until they start earning a wage as a qualified professional and will only need to meet the costs of general stationary and text books throughout the duration of their degree.

There are also a range of scholarships available for new students, which can assist in minimising the financial impact to your family.

Applying to study

Undergraduate programs at USQ are applied for via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre). For some assistance in applying and choosing preferences, we have answers to any questions you may have about  applying through QTAC.