School students

I know exactly what I want to study

Sometimes you can feel pretty sure you know what you want to do. You might have been dreaming about becoming a teacher since you were five – or want to be a lawyer because your mum and your grandma are both lawyers. If that sounds like you, that’s great, but there are three good reasons to keep an open mind:

• even though you are focused on a particular career for a long time, you still might change your mind – and that’s ok!
• you may not get into your dream program so it is important to have a safety net and be aware of the alternative pathways – not getting in is not the end of the world.
• remember to keep your options open. There are new programs starting all the time. If you stop looking you may miss out on a program that you like even more. So, as well as finding out all about your main interests, investigate other possibilities and keep on researching.
  

I have no idea what I want to study?

Most people feel like this so you are in good company! Choosing a career is a big decision but you shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself. Good research has shown that most people in the 21st century will have, on average, three totally different careers and seven different jobs during the course of their working life - so don’t worry if you are not certain at the moment.

Year 10 is the start of your journey to choose a career, not the end of it.

You can change your mind at any stage, and getting heaps of information about lots of different options is a really good idea.

For information on careers and courses to consider:

• get a list of programs offered from the uni (your careers counsellor should have this - or look at our programs and courses guide) and cross off what you don’t like. This narrows down the list of programs to research. Don’t cross off what you don’t recognise - it could be something really cool you’ve never heard of!
• think about your favourite subjects at school and what bits you like the best - which university programs could you study that will relate to your interests?
• talk to people – what does a nurse/teacher/lawyer actually do?
• do some work experience to see what the job is all about.
• research and network! Your friends’ parents and their friends have jobs, what do they do and why do they love/hate their job/industry?
• make an appointment to see the school careers counsellor (or the USQ Careers Counsellors) – with your parents or just by yourself.
  

Special admissions schemes

This scheme is for current Year 12 students who successfully complete Maths C (or equivalent), a Language Other than English (LOTE), Chemistry, Physics or tertiary studies. Applicants are awarded bonus ranks for passing Maths C (2 bonus ranks), a Language Other than English (2 bonus ranks), Chemistry (2 bonus ranks), Physics (2 bonus ranks), and/or tertiary study (1 bonus rank). These bonus ranks may make applicants competitive for courses with higher OP requirements. The bonus ranks are applied automatically based on a QTAC application.

What do I need to do now?

Choose your Year 11 and 12 subjects with a view to entering uni directly from school. Your school Guidance Officer will be able to help you make the right choices. 

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) also produces a guide to university admission which lists the subjects that may be required for entry into a university program. Your school should also provide this to you when you are in Year 10.