Students prepare for uni life

A group of Year 10 students from the Central and North Burnett region will become university students on April 1. But it’s just for one day.

More than 60 students from high schools in Biggenden, Gayndah, Mundubbera, Eidsvold and Monto will take part in USQ's Queensland Uni Life experience at the Fraser Coast campus in Hervey Bay.

The students will attend lectures and workshops so they get to experience what it’s like to be real university students. They will see the nursing wards, computer labs and the outdoor gym.

Lecturer Anne Kerridge said university was accessible for everyone these days.

'It’s an option even if you live in the country,” she said. “It’s an option even if your parents didn’t go to university. These days it’s possible to gain a university degree without even moving away from home. Studying is much more flexible with our virtual classroom, called Study Desk.

'If you can use Facebook you can use Study Desk.'

Last week (March 16-17) USQ staff visited the Year 10 students at their schools to prepare them for their visit to university. The students were taught how to use Study Desk and told about what to expect during their day at USQ Fraser Coast.

Monto State High School student Josephine Howell said she was looking forward to visiting the campus.

'It will be good to see it first hand and to meet some of the students,' she said. 'I am thinking about becoming a vet or an accountant. I love horses and would like to study equine and come back here to work. But if I can’t get into vet science I will try accounting.'

Fellow Monto State School student Aaron Davis is planning to study engineering. He said he had the choice of studying externally or on campus.

Jemma Collins, from Eidsvold State School, said she was keen to go to university to study education.

'I like teaching,' she said. 'And if I could choose any university campus to attend, I think I would choose to go to USQ Fraser Coast.'

Mundubbera State School Year 10 student Paea Fangatua wants to study sports physiotherapy.

'I’ve never been to a university before, so this visit to the campus in Hervey Bay will be a good opportunity for us to see what it is like,' he said.