Charli gets a head start on her university studies

‘Nerve-racking' is how 17-year-old Charli Dahanayake describes her first day at university.

The bubbly Centenary State High student was still in Year 12 when she attended her first class, a foundation course in psychology, under the University of Southern Queensland's (USQ) Head Start program.

'I didn't know anyone and I felt like I wasn't up to par,' Charli says.

'It was a different kind of nervousness, because I was still in Year 12 and felt so young, but it didn't take long to feel more comfortable.

'The smaller size of the classes at USQ Springfield really put me at ease because the lecturers remember your name and it was easy to interact with others and build that trust.

'The teaching is very different from school because the lecturers don't elaborate as much or hand feed you.

'But at the same time you're free to voice your opinions and everyone is so welcoming and open that you don't feel nervous participating in class.'

Now in her first year of a Bachelor of Psychology Honours at USQ's Springfield campus, Charli says she would recommend the Head Start program to anyone in Year 11 or 12 looking to get ahead at university.

'I gained so much doing the Head Start program, particularly in terms of personal growth.

'When you're at school, it's your whole world. But at university, you have to stand on your own two feet.

'It's a new way to live, to act and socialise and you do have to try harder to make sure you get the most out of it.

'Doing the Head Start program also helped me at school and I feel a lot more confident in myself.

'I have to say I do feel ahead of other students in my class here, because I know how things work and have such a closeness to my lecturers already.'

Charli has also started working at the Coffee Club's new café in nearby Orion Shopping Centre, after meeting the owner during her foundation class last year.

USQ Springfield will run its next Head Start information session on Monday 28 May from 5.30pm.  All parents and students in Year 11 or 12 are invited to attend.

To register for the information session, or for more information, contact the USQ Head Start Program Co-ordinator Margo Baas on 1800 640 678 or email baas@usq.edu.au

Media Contact:  Sam Ireland, USQ Media, 3470 4117 or 0428 102 979